Insh Island facts for kids
| Gaelic name | Innis |
|---|---|
| Meaning of name | island |
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| OS grid reference | NM729192 |
| Coordinates | 56°18′40″N 5°40′21″W / 56.311109°N 5.672493°W |
| Physical geography | |
| Island group | Slate Islands |
| Area | 33 ha (82 acres) |
| Highest elevation | 69 m (226 ft) |
| Administration | |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Country | Scotland |
| Council area | Argyll and Bute |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 0 |
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Insh Island (Scottish Gaelic: An Innis), or just Insh, is a small, empty island located off the west coast of Scotland. It's found near the island of Seil in an area called the Firth of Lorn. Insh Island is part of a group of islands known as the Slate Islands.
This island is about 1.5 kilometers (1 mile) northeast of Ellenabeich, a village on Seil. A narrow stretch of water called the Sound of Insh separates the two islands. Insh Island rises to a height of 69 meters (226 feet) and covers an area of about 36 hectares (89 acres). For 30 years, from 1973 to 2003, a man named David Brearley actually lived in a cave on the north side of the island!
The name "Insh Island" is a bit unusual because "Insh" comes from the Gaelic words An Innis, which means "The Island." So, the full name "Insh Island" actually means "The Island Island"! It was once known as Sheep Island.
In 1870, a wooden sailing ship called the Norval got stuck near the southern tip of Insh Island because of thick fog. Parts of the shipwreck could still be seen many years later, even in 1995. The waters around Insh Island are also home to a special type of sea creature called the Northern sea fan (Swiftia pallida).
Who Owns Insh Island?
For many years, Insh Island was owned by David Brearley, the man who lived in the cave. When he passed away in 2016, he left the island to the National Trust for Scotland. This organization usually works to protect important places in Scotland.
A Change in Ownership
In 2020, the National Trust for Scotland decided to sell Insh Island for £353,000. It was bought by a company called West Coast Heritage Limited. This sale caused some discussion among people who felt the island should have remained protected. Some, like Mike Russell, a member of the Scottish Parliament, believed that the former owner, David Brearley, wanted the island to "stay untouched as nature intended."
Future Plans for the Island
The new owners mentioned that they had ideas for the island, such as collecting seaweed and creating simple paths to make it easier to explore. They also thought about making a safe place for boats to dock. However, they have put these plans on hold for now. They also shared that it is very difficult to land on Insh Island, so they do not encourage people to try visiting it.
