Morvern facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Morvern
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 Kiel Church and the Morvern Cross, at Lochaline; Kiel is derived from Cille Choluimchille, church of Saint Columba |
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 Morvern
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| Population | 320 |
| Demonym | Morbhairneach |
| • Edinburgh | 190 mi (310 km) (road) 149 mi (240 km) (via Corran ferry) |
| • London | 567 mi (912 km) (road) 526 mi (847 km) (via Corran ferry) |
| Council area | |
| Lieutenancy area | |
| Country | Scotland |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | OBAN |
| Postcode district | PA80 |
| Dialling code | 01967 |
| Police | Northern |
| Fire | Highlands and Islands |
| Ambulance | Scottish |
| EU Parliament | Scotland |
| UK Parliament |
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| Scottish Parliament | |
Morvern (Scottish Gaelic: A' Mhorbhairne [ə ˈvɔɾɔ.əɾɲə]) is a beautiful peninsula in the Scottish Highlands. A peninsula is a piece of land almost surrounded by water but connected to the mainland on one side. Morvern is located on the west coast of Scotland.
It sits south of the areas called Ardgour and Sunart. Water surrounds it on three sides: Loch Sunart to the north, Loch Linnhe to the southeast, and the Sound of Mull to the southwest. The highest point in Morvern is a mountain called Creach Bheinn, which is about 853 meters (2,799 feet) tall.
Today, Morvern is part of the Lochaber area within the Highland council. It also belongs to the historic shire of Argyll. Morvern covers an area of about 250 square miles (647 square kilometers) and has a small population of around 320 people.
Contents
Ancient Discoveries in Morvern
Stone Age and Bronze Age Finds
In 2010, workers planting trees discovered something amazing. They found stone tools from the Mesolithic period, also known as the Middle Stone Age. This shows that people lived in Morvern many thousands of years ago.
Later excavations at the same site found even more evidence. They discovered that people also used this area during the Bronze Age. This means Morvern has been home to humans for a very long time!
Morvern's Past
Early Names and Clans
Morvern was once known as Kinelvadon. This name likely came from "Cineal Bhaodain," which means the lands of the Cenél Báetáin. This was a group of people connected to a historical figure named Loarn mac Eirc.
Castles and Their Stories
Ardtornish Castle is a ruined castle in Morvern. In the 1100s, it belonged to a powerful leader named Somerled. Later, it was owned by the Lords of the Isles, who were very important rulers in Scotland. The famous writer Sir Walter Scott even wrote a poem about this castle.
Kinlochaline Castle was once the home of the MacInnes clan. This castle was mostly destroyed by the army of Oliver Cromwell a long time ago. However, it was rebuilt and restored in 1890.
Changes in Population
Before the Highland clearances, which were a sad period of forced removals in Scottish history, about 2,500 people lived in Morvern. The population is much smaller today.
In 1930, some residents from the remote island of St Kilda moved to Lochaline. Lochaline is the main village in Morvern. This happened when St Kilda was evacuated.
Morvern Today
Travel and Community
Ferries regularly leave from Lochaline to the Isle of Mull. This makes it easy to travel between the two places.
The Morvern Community Development Company (MCDC) was started in 1999. It's a local group that helps the community grow and improve. In 2010, they received support to hire a full-time worker to help with their projects.
The Silica Mine
Morvern is home to a special mine that produces silica sand. This sand is very high quality and is used to make things like solar panels.
The mine at Lochaline closed in 2008, which meant 11 people lost their jobs. But good news came in 2012 when the mine reopened! It is now run by a company called Lochaline Quartz Sand Ltd.
New Homes and Whisky
Ardtornish, one of the biggest estates in the area, received permission in 2010 to build new homes. They plan to create a small "township" of 20 houses at a place called Achabeag, which is about 2 miles (3 kilometers) west of Lochaline.
Morvern is also home to the Nc’nean distillery in Drimnin. This distillery makes delicious Scotch whisky.
Famous People from Morvern
- Duncan McNab was born in Achrinich in May 1820. He became a Catholic missionary who worked in Australia.
- Very Rev Norman Macleod (1838-1911) was born in the manse (minister's house) at Morvern. He became a very important leader in the Church of Scotland in 1900.
See Also
