[{"@context":"http:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/wiki.edu.vn\/en\/wiki10\/description-of-the-western-isles-of-scotland\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/wiki.edu.vn\/en\/wiki10\/description-of-the-western-isles-of-scotland\/","headline":"Description of the Western Isles of Scotland","name":"Description of the Western Isles of Scotland","description":"16th-century Scottish manuscript A cave on Garbh Eilean in the Shiant Isles. In 1549, Donald Monro wrote that “through the","datePublished":"2020-11-20","dateModified":"2020-11-20","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/wiki.edu.vn\/en\/wiki10\/author\/lordneo\/#Person","name":"lordneo","url":"https:\/\/wiki.edu.vn\/en\/wiki10\/author\/lordneo\/","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/c9645c498c9701c88b89b8537773dd7c?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/c9645c498c9701c88b89b8537773dd7c?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Enzyklop\u00e4die","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/wiki.edu.vn\/wiki4\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/download.jpg","url":"https:\/\/wiki.edu.vn\/wiki4\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/download.jpg","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/1\/13\/Cave_on_Garbh_Eilean%2C_Shiant_Isles_-_geograph.org.uk_-_85271.jpg\/300px-Cave_on_Garbh_Eilean%2C_Shiant_Isles_-_geograph.org.uk_-_85271.jpg","url":"https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/1\/13\/Cave_on_Garbh_Eilean%2C_Shiant_Isles_-_geograph.org.uk_-_85271.jpg\/300px-Cave_on_Garbh_Eilean%2C_Shiant_Isles_-_geograph.org.uk_-_85271.jpg","height":"225","width":"300"},"url":"https:\/\/wiki.edu.vn\/en\/wiki10\/description-of-the-western-isles-of-scotland\/","wordCount":22240,"articleBody":"16th-century Scottish manuscript  A cave on Garbh Eilean in the Shiant Isles. In 1549, Donald Monro wrote that “through the arch we used to row or sail with our boats, for fear of the horrible break of the sea that is on the outward side of the point”.[Note 1]Description of the Western Isles of Scotland is the oldest known account of the Hebrides and the Islands of the Clyde, two chains of islands off the west coast of Scotland.[3] The author was Donald Monro, a clergyman who used the title of “Dean of the Isles” and who lived through the Scottish Reformation. Monro wrote the original manuscript in 1549, although it was not published in any form until 1582 and was not widely available to the public in its original form until 1774. A more complete version, based on a late 17th-century manuscript written by Sir Robert Sibbald, was first published as late as 1961.[4] Monro wrote in Scots and some of the descriptions are difficult for modern readers to render into English. Although Monro was criticised for publishing folklore and for omitting detail about the affairs of the churches in his diocese, Monro’s Description is a valuable historical account and has reappeared in part or in whole in numerous publications, remaining one of the most widely quoted publications about the western islands of Scotland.[5]  Monro also wrote a brief description of the five main branches of Clan Donald that existed in his day under the title “The Genealogies Of The Chief Clans Of The Iles”, and this work was included when Description was first published as a stand-alone volume in 1805. The Sibbald manuscript also contains details about the “Council of the Isles” that operated from Eilean na Comhairle in Loch Finlaggan on the island of Islay. This is the most detailed extant account of the supreme judiciary body that had existed under the Lordship of the Isles until its demise in the late fifteenth century.[7]  Donald Monro was born early in the 16th century, the eldest of the six sons of Alexander Monro of Kiltearn and Janet, daughter of Farquhar Maclean of Dochgarroch. His father was a grandson of George Munro, 10th Baron of Foulis.[9] Donald became the vicar of Snizort and Raasay in 1526,[10][11] and was nominated to the Archdeaconry of the Isles probably in or shortly after 1549.[9] These were troubled times in the Highlands and Islands, with Domhnall Dubh’s attempts to resurrect the Lordship of the Isles only failing on his death in 1545. Partly as a result, the See of the Isles was one of the poorest in Scotland and although Monro lists fourteen islands as belonging to its Bishop, in practice rents were hard to collect.[12] In that year, he visited most of the islands on the west coast of Scotland and wrote his manuscript account of them, together with a brief genealogical account of various branches of Clan Donald. He referred to himself as “High Dean of the Isles”[13] and his position was one of considerable influence although the advancing Reformation added further complication to the political landscape in which he was operating.In 1560 the new Confession of Faith was adopted and ten dioceses were created anew, with the Isles shared between Ross and Argyll. Monro converted to Protestantism and was admitted to the new ministry for the parish of Kiltearn, to which he later added the adjacent Lemlair and Alness. He is said to have lived at Castle Craig, commuting across the Cromarty Firth to preach on Sundays.[8] At Lammas 1563 he became one of three special Commissioners under the Bishop of Caithness responsible for creating new kirks. The duties were arduous but he retained his position for 12 years, despite occasional criticism by the General Assembly.[Note 2] The last record of him is dated 1574 and it is assumed he had died by 1576 when new ministers were appointed for Kiltearn, Lemlair and Alness. He never married and no extant stone marks his burial at Kiltearn,[16] his written work being his sole monument.[17]Table of ContentsPrevious descriptions[edit]Publications[edit]Critiques[edit]Identity of the islands[edit]Firth of Clyde, Kintyre and the Slate Islands[edit]Craignish, Taynish, Jura and the Firth of Lorn[edit]Islay[edit]Colonsay and Mull[edit]Small Isles[edit]Skye[edit]Barra and the Uists[edit]Lewis and Harris and the north west[edit]Harris[edit]Loch R\u00f2g[edit]Lewis[edit]North Highland coast[edit]Lewis and Harris[edit]Genealogies[edit]Council of the Isles[edit]See also[edit]References[edit]Further reading[edit]External links[edit]Previous descriptions[edit]  In or shortly before 83\u00a0AD, a traveller called Demetrius of Tarsus related to Plutarch the tale of an expedition to the west coast of Scotland. He stated that it was a gloomy journey amongst uninhabited islands and that he had visited one which was the retreat of holy men. He mentioned neither the druids nor the name of the island.[19] In his Natural History Pliny the Elder states that there are 30 “Hebudes”, and makes a separate reference to “Dumna”, which Watson (1926) concludes is unequivocally the Outer Hebrides. Writing about 80 years later, in 140\u2013150 AD, Ptolemy, drawing on the earlier naval expeditions of Agricola, also distinguished between the Ebudes, of which he writes there were only five (and thus possibly meaning the Inner Hebrides) and Dumna.[20][21][22]The first written records of native life in the Hebrides begin in the 6th century AD with the founding of the kingdom of D\u00e1l Riata.[23] Much of what is known of these times is the product of the monastic sites such as Iona, Lismore, Eigg and Tiree but north of D\u00e1l Riata, where the Inner and Outer Hebrides were nominally under Pictish control, the historical record is sparse.[24]The names of the individual islands reflect a complex linguistic history. The majority are Norse or Gaelic but the roots of some may have a pre-Celtic origin[22][25][26] The earliest comprehensive written list of Hebridean island names was undertaken in the 16th century by Monro himself, which in some cases also provides the earliest written form of the island name.Publications[edit]Monro’s work was first published in Latin in 1582. It forms eleven short chapters of George Buchanan’s Rerum Scoticarum Historia (“History of Scotland”) with all of the islands listed, although with much omission of the detailed island descriptions. The genealogy section was included.[27][28] In 1603 the portion in Scots relating to the islands was published in Certayne Matters concerning the Realme of Scotland edited by John Monipennie[28] of Pitmilly in the parish of Kingsbarns, Fife.[29] Following Buchanan, this version gives many of the island names in Latin. Thus Monro’s “Heddir Iyle” (Heather Isle) is Monipennie’s “Ericca”. The section was republished in the 1612 Scots Chronicles, in which the acknowledgement of Monro’s authorship was omitted.[30]The original version of Monro’s text has been lost, but a copy made in 1642 by Sir James Balfour of Denmilne and Kinnaird, is still extant. Three sections relating to Islay and Lismore, Tiree and Coll, and Harris were omitted, possibly by careless copying.[31] Some 40 years later Sir Robert Sibbald copied out a complete transcript that included sections missing in Balfour. Entitled Description of the Occidental i.e. Western Isles of Scotland by Mr Donald Monro who travelled through the most of them in Anno 1549 it was acquired by the Advocates Library in Edinburgh in 1733.[31] Walter MacFarlane created a third manuscript in 1749, either from a debased original or directly from Balfour as it has the same defects.[31]  Monro’s work first came to a wider public when the incomplete version of Description was published in 1774 by William Auld of Edinburgh, along with some supplementary writing about the Hebrides.[32] The full title was Description of the Western Isles of Scotland, called Hybrides; by Mr Donald Monro High Dean of the Isles who travelled through the most of them in the year 1549. With his Genealogies of the Chief Clans of the Isles. Description and Genealogies were published together by Archibald Constable of Edinburgh in 1805, which was the first time Monro’s work had been published as a stand-alone volume.[33]Miscellanea Scotica, published in Glasgow in 1818 included Description in volume 2 and the Genealogies in volume 4. In this version Description is given the date of 1594 in error.[34] An edition of the 1818 text limited to 250 copies was published by Thomas D. Morison of Glasgow in 1884.The shorter list was re-published (without the Genealogies) by Peter Hume Brown in his Scotland before 1700, from Contemporary Documents in 1893 and for the first time the text was subject to scrutiny by a professional historian.[35] Walter MacFarlane’s text was published by the Scottish History Society in 1908 as part of his Geographical Collections.[5] Eneas Mackay of Stirling included Description and Genealogies in tandem with Martin Martin’s 1703 Description of the Western Islands of Scotland in a 1934 publication.[5] R. W. Munro’s 1961 re-publication includes the full text of the Sibbald manuscript (MS), a comparison with the shorter Balfour\/Auld versions, the recovered text of Monro’s description of the Council of the Isles at Finlaggan,[4] George Buchanan’s preface to Description in Rerum Scoticarum Historia and scholarly accompanying material.Some of the discrepancies between the additions are discussed by R. W. Munro. The 1612 version by Monipennie certainly loses both accuracy and detail. For example, his publication has the Flannan Isles “halfe a mile towards the west equinoctiall” from Lewis,[36] whereas the original quoted by the Auld version has them “50 myle in the Occident seas from the coste”\u2014 in fact they are 33 kilometres (21\u00a0mi) west of Lewis.[37][38]Critiques[edit]Buchanan was unstinting in his praise for Monro, describing him as “a pious and diligent man”.[39] The latter’s reputation was secure until 1824 when the geologist John MacCulloch published a lengthy criticism after visiting the islands several times between 1811 and 1821. MacCulloch decried the lack of detail Monro offered on churches and church buildings, going so far as to suggest that he was ignorant of his own diocese,[Note 3] and accusing him of credulity when it came to the recording of folk customs and beliefs. In 1840 the Rev. Alexander Nicolson wrote in the New Statistical Account that “Nothing can show the credulity of the Dean more than his account of the cockles being formed in an embryo on the top of a hill, in a fresh water spring” on Barra.[Note 4] 120 years later R. W. Munro was more generous, noting that the Dean was generally careful to distinguish between the reporting of folk tales and claims as to their veracity and pointing out that MacCulloch’s statement that “it is scarcely possible to recognise one in ten” of Munro’s island names was unjustified. In 1893 Hume Brown made the first of several modern attempts to identify them and listed 121 out of the 209 on the Monro list he had access to.[42]Description remains one of the most widely quoted publications about the western islands of Scotland.[5]Identity of the islands[edit]  Monro originally wrote in Scots, and some of the descriptions are difficult to render into modern English without a working knowledge of this archaic style.Some islands have genuine descriptions, but from time to time there are lists such as:Vicreran: Narrest to the iyle of Belnachna layes the small iyle of Vickeran.Nagawna: Hard on the iyle Vyckeran layes ther a small iyland, namit in Erische Ellan Nagaruwa.[44]Unless the modern name is clear from Monro’s spelling this can lead to difficulties with identification. The Dean’s command of Gaelic was weak and he habitually provides island names phonetically in English rather than using Gaelic spellings.[45] R. W. Munro states that “of the 251 islands listed by Monro, I have been unable to identify 27, and a further 23 cannot be regarded as certain”.[46] Munro’s belief was that Donald Monro knew the Outer Hebrides and Iona well, but that he may have written about the islands of the Argyll coast from secondhand knowledge as they were in the Diocese of Argyll and not his own Diocese of the Isles.[47][Note 5] Later authors have made additional identifications, although some quite substantial islands do not appear to be in the lists. (They may of course appear under a different name, the connection to which remains to be established.)The main numbering system is that of R. W. Munro based on the Sibbald MS. The names and numbers used by the 1774 Auld version are also provided. (Monro himself did not appear to use a numbering system.)[48] The list is presented in geographical sections for ease of use after Haswell-Smith. The Latinised names used by Monniepennie (1612) are also listed along with the modern name, where known, along with various notes where the island’s identity is in doubt.Firth of Clyde, Kintyre and the Slate Islands[edit]No. (Munro)Name (Sibbald MS)No. (Auld)Name (Auld)Name (Monipennie)[49]Modern name[50]Comments1Man1ManIsle of ManIsle of ManNow a Crown dependency and not part of Scotland since the 14th century. [Note 6]2Ellsay2ElsayAilsayAilsa Craig3Aran3ArranArranArran4Flada4FladaFladaPladdaWith lenition, Plada(igh) yields f- in Gaelic.[52]5Molass5MolassMolasHoly IsleModern Gaelic is Eilean MoLaise.[53]6Buit6BuittIsle of ButeBute7Inismerog7Inche MernocheIsle MernocaInchmarnock8Cumbray8CumbraGreat CambraGreat Cumbrae9Cumbray of the Dais9Cumbray DaisLittle CambraLittle CumbraeGaelic a deas means ‘southern’.  Little Cumbrae lies to the south of Great Cumbrae.10Avoin10AvoynPorticosa AvonaSandaModern Gaelic is Abhainn, meaning “river”, although Munro states the name is derived from the Danish name Havoin, meaning “haven”.[54][55]\u2013Carrik-steach11Carrith SkeatheCarraig Sgeith or Dunaverty CastleCarraig Sgeith is a tiny island at NR656071, and the castle is on a headland 3 kilometres (1.9\u00a0mi) to the east.[56][Note 7]11Rachlind12RachlaiunRachudaRathlin IslandNow part of Northern Ireland.12Caray13CarayCaraiaCara13Gighay14GigayGigaiaGigha14Diuray15DurayJuraJura15Scarbay16SkarbayScarbaScarba16Ellan wellich17VelicheIsle BallachEilean a BealachA “mere rock” [46] between Scarba and Jura at NM712065.17Gewrastill18GilbrastolGenistariaGuirasdealA “very little iyle”,[57] Guirasdeal is at NM693079.[58] Monipennie has two islands here, the second being called “Gearastilla”.18Lungay19LungayLongaiaLunga19Fidlay chaille20FidlachailleThe “two Fidlais”Fiola MeadhonachAt high tides the northern tip of Lunga becomes several separate islets with Rubha Fiola to the north, then Fiola Meadhonach, Eilean \u00ccosal and finally Fiola an Droma closest to Lunga proper.[56]20Fidlainrow21FidlavirowSee aboveRubha FiolaNorthern island of the Lunga group. See above.21Garvhelach skein22Garrowhellach SheainThe “three Barbais”Eilean Dubh BeagIt is not clear why R. W. Munro prefers this identification to Garbh Eileach or one of the other Garvellachs.[Note 8]22Garvhelach na monaobh23Garowhillach-NanronowSee aboveEilean Dubh MorIt is not clear why R. W. Munro prefers this identification to one of the Garvellach group. See above note.23Ellach nanaobh24NanaoseSee aboveEileach an Naoimh“Narrist to this iyle of Garowhellach-Nanronow layes ther a verey little iyle, callit in Erische Eloche Nanaose“,[59] although Eileach an Naoimh is much larger than Eilean Dubh Mor.24Culbrenyn25CulibrenynCulbremnaA’ ChuliA’ Chuli is the third largest of the Garvellach islands.25Dunchonill26DunchonillDunumD\u00f9n ChannuillD\u00f9n Channuill is also one of the Garvellach group26Ellan a Mhadi27MadieCoilp or CupariaUnidentifiedMadie “layes betwixt Lungay, and being callit in Englishe the Wolfiis iyle.”[60] Monipennie has two names here and it is not clear how they relate to the other lists. R. W. Munro offers no suggestion for this island’s identity.[61][Note 9]27Belnachua28BelnachnaBeluahuaBelnahua28Ellan vickeran29VicreranVickeranaEilean Mhic Chiarian[63]R. W. Munro suggested it might be an unknown islet in Balvicar Bay, Seil[61] but Matheson is in “no doubt” of his identification, which is west of Luing.[63]29Ellan Nagavna30NagawnwaVitulinaEilean GamhnaEilean Gamhna is in Loch Melfort.30Luyng31LungeLumgaLuing31Saoill or Seill32SeillSeilaSeil32Sevnay33SeunayScanaShuna, Slate Islands33Sklaitt34SklaittSklataEilean-a-beithichThis island no longer exists, having been quarried out.[Note 10]34Ellan Nagvisog35NawissogeNaguigosaUnidentifiedConceivably Eilean na(n) Uiseag meaning “island of the larks” but there are no obvious contenders. Another possible explanation is Eilean na Giuthasaich, ‘island of the pine wood’, but that gets us no closer to identifying the island.35Ellan Eisdalf36EisdcalfeEisdalsaEasdaleVickeran and Nagvisog are the only two outright unknowns in this section, although there are difficulties with 22\u201324. If R. W. Munro’s identifications are correct Donald Munro excluded the sizeable island of Garbh Eilach, after which the Garvellachs group is named. Insh in the Slate Islands is missing, but the modern name, which means simply “island”[66] is clearly incomplete. Its older names include Eilean nan Caorach and Inis-Capul.[67]Craignish, Taynish, Jura and the Firth of Lorn[edit]R. W. Munro was unable to identify several islands in this group,[61] but Youngson (2001) used his local knowledge and research undertaken by Malcolm MacArthur[68] to suggest various small islands offshore from Jura. In a few instances other nearby candidates exist.No. (Munro)Name (Sibbald MS)No. (Auld)Name (Auld)Name (Monipennie)[49]Modern name (Munro) [50]Modern name (Youngson)[68]Comments36Iniskenzie37Inche KenythSkenniaUnidentifiedNot mentionedThe name is clearly a variant of “Kenneth’s Island” but there are no obvious contenders.37Ellan anthian38InchianIsle ThianiaUnidentifiedShian IslandShian Island is located north of Loch Tarbert, Jura. There is also Inchaig in Loch Craignish at NM810044. Buchanan offers “the isle called Tyan, from an Herb”.[Note 11]38Ellan Uderga39UdergaUdergaUnidentified“An unnamed island offshore from Glenbatrick”“Ane uther verey small rock”.[70] Glenbatrick is on the south shore of Loch Tarbert, Jura and Youngson’s suggestion is at NR516806.39King’s Ile40King’s IyleKing’s IslandEilean R\u00ecghEileanan Gleann RighEilean R\u00ecgh is a much larger and better known island than the tiny islet at NR514819 in Loch Tarbert, Jura proposed by Youngson.40Black Ile41Black IsleDuffaEilean DubhEilean Dubh a’ Chumhainn Mh\u00f3irEilean Dubh in Loch Craignish is at NM792019. Youngson’s suggestion is in Loch Tarbert at NR555816.41Kirk Ile42Kirke IsleIsland of the ChurchEilean na Cille or Eilean MorEilean an EasbuigR.W. Munro equivocates: Eilean na Cille is at NM752969 in Loch Craignish and Eilean Mor, which once had a church, is at the mouth of Loch Sween.[61] Blaeu’s  Y. na heglish at the head of Loch Tarbert is Youngson’s Eilean an Easbuig.[71]42Ellan Chriarache43ChrearacheTriarachaUnidentifiedEilean Chraoibhe chaorinnR. W. Munro notes the existence of Eilean Treadhrach, off Oronsay. Youngson’s translation is “hazel wood island”, and may be another islet in Loch Tarbert at NR581823 or possibly Creagach Chrosgach at NM768033 off the west coast of the Craignish peninsula.43Ellan ard44ArdeArduaUnidentifiedEilean ArdEilean Ard is in Loch Tarbert.44Ellan Iisall45Laich IleHumlisUnidentifiedEilean Iosal, Loch TarbertLaich, humilis and \u00ecosal all mean “low”.45Glass Ellan46Greine IlyeViridisUnidentifiedGlas Eilean, Sound of IslayThere is also a Glas Eilean in Loch Caolisport, another in the Sound of Islay and an Eilean Glas in Loch Crinan.46Fruech Ellan47Heddir IyleEriccaUnidentifiedAm Fraoch EileanAlthough Monro is almost certainly referring to an Eilean Fraoch, the question is \u2013 which one? There is one on the west coast of Luing, another in the Cuan Sound off Torsa, a third at Craobh Haven and another west of the Taynish peninsula at NR712860. This last is near Eilean nan Coinean \u2013 see below. There is also Youngson’s Am Fraoch Eilean in the Sound of Islay.47Ellan na cravich48Hasil IyleArborariaUnidentifiedBrosdale IslandBrosdale is in the Sound of Islay. Youngson does not offer an explanation for his identification. The Gaelic craobh relates to trees or shrubs and this is also suggested by “Hasil” and “Arboraria”.48Ellan na gobhar49Gatis IylesCaprariaEilean nan GabharEilean nan GabharYoungson identifies Eilean nan Gabhar in the Small Isles of Jura at NR538676. R. W. Munro does not specify the location and there is a second Eilean nan Gabhar, south of Eilean Righ at NM791003.49Conyngis Ile50Conings IleCuniculariaEilean nan CoineanEilean nan CoineanYoungson is again offering the Small Isles of Jura, but R. W. Munro does not specify the location and there are others at NM776967 west of Taynish or at NM782974 just north of Crinan.50Ellan diamhoin51Idyle IyleIsle of IdlemenEilean DiomhainEilean DiomhainOne of the Small Isles of Jura.51Eisell ellan52EisellAbriditaPladdaSee belowOne of the Small Isles of Jura52Ellan Abhridich53UriditheUriditheEilean BhrideSee belowOne of the Small Isles of Jura53Lismoir54LismoirLismoraLismoreNot mentioned  With the exception of Lismore, Monro’s “descriptions” in this section are little more than a name recorded in English and “Erische” (i.e. Gaelic), which makes definitive identifications hard to achieve. Youngson writes that his names “defeat all attempts to identify with Lorn, and turn out to be near Jura” and that “the islands of the Small Isles Bay and to the south of Jura are all easily identified” (although he does not make the connections explicit) and turns his attention to numbers 39\u201344 for a detailed analysis.[68] The strength of Youngson’s analysis is that whereas most of these names evaded identification by R. W. Munro, he is able to offer candidates for almost all of them.  In his interpretation, the islands round Jura are listed anti-clockwise starting at Eilean Mor, compared to Islay whose islands are listed by Monro clockwise (sun gaittis). This would however mean that several large islands are not found anywhere in the Monro list, including Eilean Righ, Island Macaskin and Eilean Mhic Chrion off the Argyll coast. There are also numerous other small islands with these names in this vicinity and it is an odd coincidence that numbers 39\u201341 all have strong contenders in Loch Craignish, as identified by R. W. Munro.[50]    Youngson does not refer to the section below, which is also missing in its entirety from the Auld and Moniepennie publications.No. (Munro)Name (Sibbald MS)Modern name[50]Comments54Scheip IleEilean nan CaorachLocated in Loch Linnhe55SuinaShuna56Ferray IleInn Island?[73]Just north of the Lismore jetty57Garbh EllanEilean Dubh?There are numerous islands called Garbh Eilean in Scotland. R. W. Munro’s identification is from Bleau’s atlas.[73]58Ellan CloichEilean na CloichLocated near Lismore.59FladaPladda IslandR. W. Munro’s index mistakenly relists Pladda, Jura,[58] but there is a Pladda, Lismore as well.60GrezayCreag IslandLocated off Lismore61Ellan MoirEilean nan Gamhna?[73]62ArdiasgarUnidentifiedTranslates as “the fisherman’s height”.[73]63MusadillEilean Musdile64BernerayBernera65Ellan InhologasgyrEilean Loch OscairLocated off Lismore66Ellan drynachaiEilean DroineachThe description “quhair habitation of Bischops and Nobles were in auld times” fits its neighbour Eilean Ramsay much better.[73]67RansayEilean RamsayLocated off Lismore68Ellan BhellnagobhanEilean BalnagowanLocated off Shuna69KerverayKerreraIslay[edit]  Monro states “Her begin to circkell Iyla, sune gaittis aboute with litle iyles.”[74] The percentage of islands listed is high and must include several very small islets or skerries. This comprehensive listing contrasts with the omission of various larger islands, including a few that are inhabited, in the Outer Hebrides. There are many correspondences between Timothy Pont’s map of Islay published by Johan Blaeu (Atlas of Scotland No. 139) and Buchanan’s version of Monro’s list. It is possible Pont knew of Monro’s work and added a few islets on this basis[75] and the correspondence with modern maps and names is not clear in some instances. Some of the linguistic connections between names are also obscure. For example, the Sibbald MS No. 72 is “Hessil” is also “Ellan Natravie” in the Auld version,[76] which names hints at a pronunciation of the Gaelic for “beach” yet Monipennie has “Colurna” and R. W. Munro identifies the island as possibly being Eilean Craobhach.[77]No. (Munro)Name (Sibbald MS)No. (Auld)Name (Auld)Name (Monipennie)[49]Modern name[50]Comments70Ila55IlaYlaIslay71Ellan charn56Earne IsleSee noteAm Fraoch EileanThe relationship of the names is explained by R. W. Munro with reference to Buchanan’s text and the ruins of Claig Castle.[Note 12]72Hessil Isle57Hessil IyleColurnaEilean Craobhach?[80]The Auld version has “callit in Erish the Leid Ellan Natravie”[76] but “callit Ellan na caltin” in the Sibbald MS.[77]Calltainn, hessil and colurna are respectively Gaelic, Scots and Latin for “hazel” and Craobhach means “pertaining to trees”.73Mullinoris Ile58Mulmoryris IyleMulvorisEilean Mhic Mhaolmhoire74Ellan Osrum59OfrumOssunaOutram75Brydis Iyle60Brydes IyleBrigidanaEilean BhrideAt NR463481.76Corsker61Cors KerCorskeraCorr SgeirKorskyr in Blaeu’s atlas west of Dounowaig.77Ellan Isall62EisilacheLow islandIseanach M\u00f2r?\u00ccosal and \u00ecseal both mean “low” but Iseanach suggests a different root.78Ellan Imersga63ImerskaImersgaEilean Imersay79Ellan Nabeathi64BetheyBeathiaUnidentified[73]Blaeu has Bethidh in this general location.80Ellan teggsay65TisgayTexaTexaBlaeu’s Ylen Teghsa.81Scheips Iyle66Scheipis IyleOviculariaEilean nan Caorach82Myresnyppis Iyle67Myresnypes IyleNoasigaUnidentified[73]“By the Erishe namit Ellan na Naoske”.[81]Eilean na Naosg would translate as Snipe or Fieldfare Island.[73]83Ellan Rinard68Ness Poynte IyleVinardaUnidentified“The yle at the west poynt”,[82] it is also mentioned by Monro when he describes Islay.[73] Conceivably a poetic reference to Islay itself \u2013 Eilean (nan) Rinn \u00c0rd(a) \u2013 would be “the island of tall R(h)inns”.84Liach Ellan69Lyart IyleCavaUnidentifiedLocated off Port nan Gallan, The Oa. There is another tiny Eilean Liath near Kilchiaran Bay, west of the Rhinns.[56] The relationship of Cava to Liach Ellan is not clear.85Tarskeray70TairskerayTarsheriaTarr SgeirThe Ordnance Survey do not appear to name R. W. Munro’s identification.86Auchnarra71AchnarraAuchnarraUnidentifiedBlaeu offers Achnar, which is cognate with the Gaelic for “field”.87Ellan moir72Grait IyleThe great islandEileanan M\u00f2raLocated near the Mull of Oa. Blaeu has Ylen Moir.88Ellan deallach dune73The Iyle of the Man’s Figurethe island made like a manEilean Dealbh DuineWest of The Oa and south of Eileanan M\u00f2ra.89Ellan Ian74Jhone’s IyleThe isle of JohnEilean EoinLocated in Port nan Gallan, The Oa.90Ellan Stagbadis75StarbeadesSlakebadisStac BheataisWest of The Oa near Eilean Dealbh Duine. Blaeu has Stackchabhada near The Oa.91Oversay76OnersayOversaOrsay92Keanichis Ile77Merchands IyleThe Marchants islandEilean Mhic Coinnich“Callit by the Erische Ellan Kenyth”.[83]93Usabrast78UsabrastUsabrastaUnidentifiedFrenchman’s Rocks, one of the few contenders in this area, lie just north of Eilean Mhic Coinnich between it and Eilean an Tannais-sgeir.94Ellan Tanest79TanefteTanastaEilean an Tannais-sgeirAt NR188639.95Ellean Nefe80NeseNesaNave Island“Beside the entresse of Lochgrunord”.[84]96Webstaris Ile81VebsterThe Weavers islandUnidentified“Callit by the Erische themselves Ellan Nabaney”.[85][Note 13]Colonsay and Mull[edit]No. (Munro)Name (Sibbald MS)No. (Auld)Name (Auld)Name (Monipennie)[49]Modern name[50]Comments97Orvansay82OrnansayOrnansaOronsay98Ellan na muk83Ellan NamucheSwines islandEilean Ghaoideamal“Half ane myle lang”.[86]99Colvansay84ColnansayColuansaColonsay100Mule85MullMuleMull101Eilean challmain86The Dow IyleColumbariaEilean ChallmainEilean a’ Chalmain is southwest of Erraid.102Erray87ErrayEraErraid103Saint Colms Ile88ColmkillIsland of Sanct ColmeIona104Soa89SoaSoaSoa Island105Ellan namban90NabanIsle of WomenEilean nam Ban106Ellan murudhain91MoroanRudanaEilean Annraidh?[75]At the northern tip of Iona.107Ellan Reryng92ReringeBerniraR\u00e8idh Eilean?[75]Suggestion by Hume Brown and appears on Bleau’s map as a large island west of Iona.[75]108Iniskenzie93Inche KenzieSkenniaInch Kenneth109Eorsay94EorsayFrosaEorsa  The distinctive outline of Bac M\u00f2r, also known as the “Dutchman’s Cap”[87]  Here the shorter Auld version has another missing passage. After Frosa (94) Monipennie states that “all their isles are subject to Sanct Colme’s abbey”.Re Staffa above, it is a small island and in Monro’s day it had not achieved its later fame, which did not occur until its late 18th century “discovery”.[90] The Auld version joins Sibbald here again and Moniepennie adds Mekle Viridis and Little Viridis to the list.No. (Munro)Name (Sibbald MS)No. (Auld)Name (Auld)Name (Monipennie)[49]Modern name[50]Comments121Calf95CalfaCulsaCalve Island“Upon the narrest coste of Mull layes ane iyle callit Calfe, ane myle of lenthe, full of woods, with ane sufficient raid for shipes, perteyning to M’Gillayne of Doward.”122Glass Ellan moir and Glass Ellan beg96The Glasse IlesGlass\u00e6Glas EileananGlas Eileanan is just off Rubha an Ridire. R. W. Munro also mentions Eileanan Glass further up the Sound of Mull at NM596450123Ellan Ardan rider97Ardin RiderArden EiderEilean Rubha an RidireA small isle at NM724405 close to Glas Eileanan.124Ellan amhadi98Ellan MadieLuparia or “Wolfe island”Eilean a’ Mhadaidh, Loch Don125Ellan moir99Ellan MoirA great isleEilean M\u00f2r, Lochbuie“Upon the shore of Mull, lyes ane ile, callit by the Erishe Ellan-moir, guid for store and for fishing, pertening to M’Gillayne of Lochbuy.”Small Isles[edit]  No. (Munro)Name (Sibbald MS)No. (Auld)Name (Auld)Name (Monipennie)[49]Modern name[50]Comments126Rum100RoninRumaR\u00f9m127Ellan na neach101The Horse IyleHorse islandEilean nan EachOff Muck128Ellan na muk102Swynes IleSwine islandMuck129Cannay103KannayCannaCanna130Egge104EggaEggaEiggSkye[edit]No. (Munro)Name (Sibbald MS)No. (Auld)Name (Auld)Name (Monipennie)[49]Modern name[50]Comments131Soabretill105Soa UrettilSoabrittellaSoayBlaeu’s atlas also uses the Auld name.132Sky106SkySkyeSkye133Orandsay107OransayOronsaOrnsay“At the west syde of Sleit lyes ane callit Oransay, ane myle lange”[91] Ornsay is east of Sleat and not of this size.134Ellan Naguyneyne108NagoyneyneCuniculariaEilean a’ Mh\u00e0il“Fornent Loche Alshe lyes ane iyle, callit in Erishe Ellan Nagoyneyne, that is to say, Cunings ile”,[92] i.e. “rabbit island”. Hume Brown identified this as MacKenzie Island but R. W. Munro was unable to place it.[75] Matheson offers Eilean a’ Mh\u00e0il, which was known as Eilean nan Gillean in the 19th century.[63][93] However, Roy’s military map of 1755 shows Eilean Ban in Loch Alsh as Id. Gilain.[94]135Pabay109PabayPabaPabay136Scalpay110ScalpayScalpaScalpay137Crowling111CrowlingCrulingaCrowlin Islands138Raarsay112RaarsayRaorsaRaasay139Ronay113RonayRonaSouth Rona140Ellan Gerloch114Ellan GearlochieGerlochLonga Island141Fladay115FladdayFladaStaffin IslandAlso known as Fladdaidh.[95]142Ellan Tuylmen116TuilinEuilmenaTulm Island143Orandsay118CransayOronsaOronsay, Loch Bracadale144Bwya moir119BuyamoireGreat BinaWiay145-52Unnamed islands120-26\u2013Unnamed islandsEvidence from Buchanan and Pont’s maps suggest that nos 145\u20139 were in Loch Bracadale and 150\u20132 in Loch Dunvegan.[96]153Ellan Isa127IsayIsaIsayMonipennie adds “beside it is Ouia”.154Ellan Askerin128AskerinAskermaAscrib Islands155Ellan Lindill129LindillLindellaEilean Mor, Lyndale PointIn Loch Snizort at NG362573.No 117 is an additional but unnamed island in Auld. “Four myle of sea fra this ile Tuilin, northwart, lyes an ile callit —–.”[97]Barra and the Uists[edit]John Lorne Campbell (1936) states that Monro “apparently had visited Barra, but it is clear that he writes of the smaller islands from hearsay alone”.[98] Nos 156\u201364 are also known as the Bishop’s Isles. Monro does not treat Benbecula, South Uist and North Uist as separate islands. Under Ywst he states: “and in the north syde of this there is ane parochin callit Buchagla, [Benbecula[99]] perteining to the said Clandonald. At the north end thereof the sea cuts the countrey againe, and that cutting of the sea is called Careynesse, and benorth this countrey is called Kenehnache of Ywst, that is in Englishe, the north head of Ywst.”[100]No. (Munro)Name (Sibbald MS)No. (Auld)Name (Auld)Name (Monipennie)[49]Modern name[50]Comments156Lingay130LingayLingaLingeigh157Gigarmen131GigarunGigarmenaGreanamulAccording to Campbell (1936) Hume Brown made this identification in his 1893 publication Scotland before 1700.[98]158Berneray132BernerayBeneraBarra Head159Megalay133MegalyMegelaMingulay160Pabay134PabayPauaPabbay, Barra161Fladay135FladayFladaFlodday near Vatersay162Scarpay na mult136ScarpnamuttScarpaMuldoanich[98]Monipennie adds “Vernecum” here. Edward MacQueen suggested Lianamul in 1794.[96]163Sanderay137SanderaySanderaSandray164Vatersay138WattersayVatersaVatersay165Barray139BarrayBarraBarra166Orbandsay140OrvansayOronsaOrosay167Ellan nahaonchaorach141NahacharrachOniaUnidentified[Note 14]“In Englishe the Sheipes ile, ane little ile full of gerssing and store, perteining to M’Neill of Barray.”[101] “Not known” according to Campbell,[98] but conceivably Fiaraidh, which means “grass” or “pasture” island and which Campbell assigns to 177.168Ellan nahakersait142NahakersaitHakersetaHeilen“Not known” by Campbell.[98] The names looks like a corruption of na h-acarsaid, “of the anchorage”, and Munro probably refers to Sheileam\/Healam in the bay of “An Acarsaid” at the end of the Bruairnis peninsula on Barra.169Garvlanga143GarnlangaGarnlangaGarbh LingeighAlso identified by Campbell.[98]170Fladay144FladaFladaFlodday, Sound of Barra171Buyabeg145BwyabegLittle BuyaEilean Sheumais“Not known” according to Campbell,[98] but R. W. Munro states that an earlier name for Eilean Sheumais (James’s Island) was Fuidheidh Beag and that it was renamed “after a fugitive from the mainland”.[96]172Buya moir146Bywa-moirGreat BuyaFuiay“Not known” according to Campbell.[98]173Hay147HayHayaUnidentifiedFuiay (No 172 above) according to Campbell.[98]174Hellisay148HettesayHell seaHellisay175Gigay149GigayGigaiaGighay176Lingay150LingayLingaiaLingayThere are other contenders: Lingeigh and Garbh Lingeigh off Fuiay.177Feray151FerayForaiaFiaraidh178Fuday152FudayFudaiaFuday179Eriskay153EriskerayEriscaiaEriskay180Vyist154YwstVistusUist181Blank155182Helsker na caillach156Helsker NagaillonHelsther WetularumMonach IslesIn the 18th century Lady Grange was kidnapped and conveyed to the Monach Isles. She wrote that “I was in great miserie in the Husker”.[102]183Haifsker157HayskerHaneskeraHaskeir“Northwast fra this Kentnache of Ywst, be twalve myle of sea”.[103]184Hirta158HirtaHirtaHirta185Valay159ValayVelaiaVallayNumerous islands are missing from the lists including Ronay, Stuley, Baleshare, Kirkibost and Calvay.Lewis and Harris and the north west[edit]Lewis and Harris is the largest of Scotland’s islands[104] and the third largest in the British Isles, after Great Britain and Ireland.[105] It incorporates Lewis in the north and Harris in the south, both of which are frequently referred to as individual islands, although they are joined by a land border. The island does not have a common name in either English or Gaelic and is referred to as “Lewis and Harris”, “Lewis with Harris”, “Harris with Lewis” etc.[106] The first sub-section contains another group not listed by the 1774 Auld version. The ordering of the Sibbald MS is in places slightly different from Moniepennie’s and the correspondence is not always obvious. The former’s numbers 197 and 201 appear to have been omitted completely in the latter.Harris[edit]No. (Munro)Name (Sibbald MS)No. (Auld)Name (Auld)Name (Monipennie)[49]Modern name[50]Comments186Soa160SoaSoaShillayIdentified by Hume Brown although R. W. Munro lists it as “doubtful”.[96] Matheson suggests Boreray.[63]187StromaStromaStromayIn the Sound of Harris but closer to North Uist.188PabayPabaiaPabbay, Harris189BernerayBarneraiaBerneray, North Uist190EnisayEmsaiaEnsay, Outer Hebrides191KeligirKelligiraKillegray192Sagha begLittle SagaSaghaigh Beag193Sagha moirGreat SagaSaghaigh M\u00f2r194HermodrayHarmodraHermetray195ScarvayScariaSgarabhaigh196GryaGrialingaGroaigh197LingaMissing“Linga”Lingay lies near Killegray in the Sound of Harris but there is an islet just to the north called Langay or Langaigh.198GillinsayCillinsaGilsay199HeyiaHeaTahay?200HoyaHoiaUnidentifiedR. W. Munro notes the peninsula of Hoe Beg.[96]201FerelayMissingSpuir?This little skerry is at NF853843between Pabbay and Boreray. Heather’s chart of 1804 shows “Fure Isle” here[107] although Monro seemed to believe the isle was inhabited.202Soya BegLittle SoaSoay Beag203Soya moir185Soya-MoirGreat SoaSoay M\u00f2r204Ellan Isay186Ellan IIsaIsa\u00ccosaigh“Isay” located off Harris, according to R. W. Munro.205Seuna beg187Senna-BegLittle SeunaUnidentified206Seuna moir188Senna-MoirGreat SeunaUnidentified207Tarandsay189TarandsayTaransaTaransay208Slegain190SleyeinSleganaSleicham?Not identified by R. W. Munro who notes that Blaeu puts the island between Taransay and Scarpa.[108] Sleicham lies off Ensay.[56]209Tuemen191TiveinTuemonUnidentifiedBlaeu places the island near Slegain above.[108]210Scarpe192ScarpeScarpaScarp211Flavain193Seven Haley IlesFlann\u00e6Flannan IslesLoch R\u00f2g[edit]No. (Munro)Name (Sibbald MS)No. (Auld)Name (Auld)Name (Monipennie)[49]Modern name[50]Comments212Garvellan194GarvellanGarn-EllanSeanna ChnocNamed Garvilan I. in a coastal chart of 1804.[107]213Lambay195LambayLambaUnidentifiedPossibly Campaigh214Fladay196FladayFladaFlodaigh, Outer Loch R\u00f2gThere is also Flodaigh, Lewis and a Fladaigh at NA993152 near Scarp.215Keallasay197KealnsayKellasaCealasaigh216Berneray beg198Berneray-BegLittle BerneraLittle Bernera217Berneray moir199Berneray-MoirGreat BerneraGreat Bernera218Kirtay200KertayKirtaEilean Chearstaidh219Bwya beg201Buya-begLittle BinaFuaigh Beag220Buya moir202Buya-MoirGreat BinaFuaigh M\u00f2r221Vexay203VaxayVexaiaVacsay222Pabay204PabayPabaiaPabaigh M\u00f2r223Sigrame moir na goneyne205Sigrain-moir-NagoineinGreat SigramaSiaram M\u00f2rSiaram M\u00f2r is south of Pabaigh M\u00f2r. Monipennie adds “Cunicularia” here \u2013 the ungarbled Gaelic would be Siaram M\u00f2r na(n) Coinean.224Sigram beg206Sigrain-BegLittle SigramaSiaram BeagSome small outer islands are missing including Bearasaigh and Cealasaigh.Lewis[edit]No. (Munro)Name (Sibbald MS)No. (Auld)Name (Auld)Name (Monipennie)[49]Modern name[50]Comments225Pigmeis Ile161The Pigmies Ileisland of the PigmeisThe “dry island” of Luchraban[109]This story about an island inhabited by diminutive people that has “ane little kirk in it of ther awn handey wark”[110] was not unravelled until the early 20th century by William Cook and tales of the “little men of Luchruban” remained current in the 1960s.[111]226Ellan Fabill162FabillFabillaEilean M\u00f2r PhabailAt NB524302.227Ellan Adam163AdainAdams islandEilean a’ Chrotaich?Located off Point, the Gaelic name means the “humpacked (person’s) island” but the relationship between the two names is not clear.228Ellan na Nuan164Na-naunLambe islandEilean nan UanAt NB459307.229Ellan Huilmen165HuitureHulmetiaEilean Thuilm“Betwixt this ile and Stornaway ther lyes Ellan Huiture”.[112] Eilean Thuilm appears as “Holm Island” on old maps and tulm\/tuilm is the Gaelic form of the Norse holm.230Ellan Viccowill166Vic-couillViccoillaEilean na GobhailNot identified by R. W. Munro[Note 15] but by Matheson, who lists various Gaelic names for this islet in Stornoway harbour.[63]231Havreray167HaleurayHanaTannaraidhMonipennie adds “Rera” here, possibly intending “Hana Rera” as one island.232Laxay168LaxayLaxaEilean M\u00f2r Lacasaidh, Loch Erisort233Ere169ErrEraEire?“Which is in English Irland”.[113] Not identified by R. W. Munro, but this islet is at NF996798 just north of Grodhaigh in the Sound of Harris.[56]234Ellan Cholmkle170St. Colmes IleDove islandEilean Chaluim Chille235Torray171ToorayToraEilean ThoraidhAt NB419204 near Eilean Chaluim Chille.236Ellan Iffurt172Ellan HurteAffurtaEilean Liubhaird237Scalpay of Harray173Scalpay of HarrayScalpaScalpay, Outer Hebrides238Fladay174FladayFladaFladda-chuain“Towards the northeist frae [Scalpay]\u00a0… be 20 myle of sea”.[114]239Senta175SentaSentaGarbh EileanIn Gaelic the Shiant Isles are Na h-Eileanan Seunta. The description of the strong currents through the Toll a’ Roimh natural arch is vivid.[115]240Senchastle176SenchastleOld CastleEilean MhuireSeann Chaisteal (old castle) is the name of the southwestern promontory on Eilean Mhuire.[56][108]Various islands are apparently missing including Seaforth Island, Eilean Mhealasta and Boreray.North Highland coast[edit]No. (Munro)Name (Sibbald MS)No. (Auld)Name (Auld)Name (Monipennie)[49]Modern name[50]Comments241Ellan Ew177Ellan EwEwIsle of Ewe242Ellan Gruinord178GruynordeGrumortaGruinard243Ellan na clerache179Na-clerachePriests islandPriest Island244Ellan af vill180AfuilAfullaUnidentifiedBottle Island (Eilean a’ Bhotail in Gaelic) is a possibility as is nearby Eilean Dubh.[108]245Havreray moir181HawrarymoirGreat HabreraTanera M\u00f2r246Havreray beg182HawrarybegLittle HabreraTanera Beag247Ellan na neach183NaneacheHorse isleHorse Island248Ellan Mertark184MertaryeMarta IkaIsle MartinMissing are Isle Ristol, Handa and Oldany Island.Lewis and Harris[edit]  Sula Sgeir from the south west. Donald Monro wrote that the men of Ness sailed there in their small craft to “fetche hame thair boatful of dry wild fowls”,[116] a tradition that continues to this day.[117]No. (Munro)Name (Sibbald MS)No. (Auld)Name (Auld)Name (Monipennie)[49]Modern name[50]Comments249Haray and Leozus207HarreyHary and LewisLewis and Harris250Ronay208RonayRonaNorth Rona251Swilskeray209SuilskeraySuilkeraiaSula SgeirGenealogies[edit]Monro provides a brief description of the five main branches of Clan Donald that existed in his day under the title “Heir Followis The Geneologies Of The Chieff Clans Of The Iles”.  The arms of Macdonald of MacdonaldClan Donald are descendants of Somerled and Monro claims that in earlier days the House was known as “Clan Gothofred”.This Somerle wes the sone of Gillebryde M’Gilleadam, name Vic Sella, Vic Mearshaighe, Vic Swyffine, Vic Malgheussa, Vic Eacime, Vic Gothefred, fra quhome they were called at that time Clan Gothofred, that is, Clan Gotheray in Hybers Leid, and they were very grate men in that tymes zeire. (Translation from Scots: This Somerled was the son of Gillebryde M’Gilleadam, son of Sella, son of Mearshaighe, son of Swyffine, son of Malgheussa, son of Eacime, son of Gothefred, from whom they were called at that time Clan Gothofred, that is, Clan Gotheray in the Gaelic language, and they were very great men in those times.)[119]The name “Gofraid” also appears in numerous other versions of Somerled’s ancestry.[120]Council of the Isles[edit]    Eilean na Comhairle\u00a0– “Council Island”\u00a0\u2013 lies just offshore from the ruins on Eilean M\u00f2r Finlaggan, IslayFinlaggan was the site of the court of the Buachaille nan Eileanan, the chief of Clan Donald. Eilean na Comhairle (council island) was originally a timber framed crannog constructed in the 1st century BC, just offshore from Eilean M\u00f2r (large island), which was known as the Island of St Findlug\u00e1n during the Medieval period.[121]The Auld version of Monro’s text has under No 55 “Ila” only “Ellan Forlagan, in the middle of Ila, ane faire iyle in fresche water” as the concluding sentence and there is no specific reference to the Council.[122] Monipennie provides a slightly longer text as a translation from Buchanan about the government of the Isles that operated from Eilean na Comhairle at Finlaggan.[123] However the Sibbald MS has a much longer description, the earliest and most detailed of the three main texts that have persisted into the modern era.[Note 16] Monro describes the membership of the Council, comprising “14 of the Iles best Barons” and its role as the supreme court of justice.[124]After the forfeiture of the Lordship of the Isles by James IV in 1493 Finlaggan’s buildings were razed and its coronation stone destroyed to discourage any attempts at restoration of the Lordship.[125][126] The Council was briefly revived during Domhnall Dubh’s 1545 rebellion, just four years before Monro’s text was written.[127] The barons listed by Monro are:  The identity of Clan McNaie is unknown.[129]See also[edit]^ Monro wrote in the original Scots form: “throw the quhilk Volt we useit to row or sail with aire boats, for feir of the horrible brak of seais that is on the outwart side of the point” (Sibbald MS version)[1] or “through the quilk vylt we use to row ore saill with our bottis, for fear of the horrible breake of the seas that is on the outwar side thereof” (Auld version).[2]^ Monro came under investigation for his lack of diligence (“he was not so apt to teache as his charge required”) and his poor command of Gaelic. The resulting report has not survived and it is assumed he was exonerated.[14][15]^ MacCulloch wrote: “If he [Monro] had been Verger instead of Dean he could scarcely have been more ignorant of the diocese to which he belonged.”[40]^ The spring concerned is probably that near the summit of Ben Eoligarry overlooking Compton Mackenzie’s grave at Cille Bharra. It is possible that the high levels of calcium carbonate in the water gave rise to this superstition as it becomes deposited on sand grains.[41]^ Only 9 of the 27 islands R. W. Munro could not identify lie north of Islay.^ Although Man was no longer part of Scotland at the time Monro was writing it retained its ancient ecclesiastical ties to the islands of Scotland through the Diocese of Sodor.[51]^ According to the Auld version, “one the shore of Kintyre, layes ane iyle with a castle\u00a0… quherin is ane guid havin for small bottis”.[55] Munro (1961) states that this “is indeed the name of a half-submerged rock some distance from the Kintyre shore; but there is no such island on which a castle could be built and no evidence in history of any such castle”.[43] He quotes the view of Andrew McKerral recorded in Kintyre in the Seventeenth Century that Monro may have been referring to nearby Dunaverty Castle,[43] which although not on an island is situated on a rocky headland attached to the mainland by a narrow path.[56] It is the only island excluded by Buchanan[43] and is not listed by Monipennie.^ There are three large islands in the Garvellach group, which might reflect Moniepennie’s “three Barbais” and the Sgeiran Dubha rocks are just offshore from Eileach an Naoimh.^ A derivation of Ulva (see No. 110 Vilua) is from the Old Norse ulv\u00f8y meaning “wolf island”.[62] The tidal Ulva Islands in Loch Sween at NR727824 are thus a possibility for Madie, “the Wolfiis iyle.”^ Eilean-a-beithich was quarried for its slate to a depth of 76 metres (249\u00a0ft) below sea level leaving only the outer rim of the island. Tipping of the quarry detritus eventually filled up the channel which separated Eilean-a-beithich from Seil, then the quarry came to a catastrophic end when a sea wall gave way.[64][65]^  R. W. Munro suggests Buchanan may be referring to the corn marigold, known in old Scots by a variety of names such as yellow gowans. Eilean an d\u00ecthein would be “flower island” (d\u00ecthean is also the root for a number of related flowers including daisies, ox-eyes and marigolds), but the specific suggestion of a name related to flora is not in any of the extant Scots manuscripts.[69]^ “At the mouth of Kyle Ila, betwixt it and Duray, lyes ane ile, callit in Erische Leid Ellan Charne, in English the iyle of Earne”.[74] Only Am Fraoch Eilean, Brosdale Island and Glas Eilean fit the geography exactly.[56] Am Fraoch Eilean means “heather island” but R. W. Munro quotes Buchanan’s version\u2014inter Ilam & Iuram sita est insula parua a cumulo lapidum cognominata\u2014 as evidence, noting that in 1772 Thomas Pennant was told of the prior existence of a MacDonald castle on the island, the ruins of which he believes gave rise to the description. Monipennie’s translation of Buchanan is “Betwixt Ila and Jura lyes a little island, taking the name from a cairne of stones”.[78] There is an Eilean a’ Ch\u00f9irn further south, c\u00f9irn being the genitive of c\u00e0rn (stone) which R. W. Munro does not refer to and he dismisses an islet with a similar name near Eigg.[79] Matheson suggests Ellan charn may be Brosdale Island, which “appears on an old map as Chreig Yl.?”.[63]^ The Na Badagan rocks lie just off Ardnave Point near Nave Island, and south of Port Ellen between Sgeir Phlocach and Sgeir nan Cr\u00f9ban is a narrows called Bealach Wabina.^ Not identified in R. W. Munro’s index, but not listed by him as unidentified either.^ Not identified in R. W. Munro’s index, but not listed by him as unidentified either.[63]^ The other two extant descriptions of the Council can be found in Macdonald, Hugh (c. 1628) History of the Macdonalds and in Martin, Martin (c. 1695) A Description of The Western Islands Of Scotland.[7]^ Monro (1961) p. 85^ Monro (1774) No. 175^ Munro (1961) p. 1^ a b Monro (1961) p. v^ a b c d Munro (1961) p. 37^ “Cast of a grave slab from Finlaggan, Islay, Inner Hebrides”. National Museums of Scotland. Retrieved 5 December 2012.^ a b Munro (1961) p. 95^ a b Munro (1961) pp.\u00a017\u201320^ a b Alexander Ross (1884) “The Reverend Donald Munro, M.A., High Dean of the Isles”. The Celtic Magazine. Volume 9, pp.\u00a0142\u201344^ MacLeod (2004) p. 25^ Munro (1961) p. 11^ Munro (1961) pp.\u00a012\u201313^ Munro (1961) p. 15^ Ross, Alexander (1884) “The Reverend Donald Munro, M.A., High Dean of the Isles”. The Celtic Magazine Volume 9. pp. 142-44.^ Munro (1961) pp.\u00a021\u201322^ Munro (1961) p. 25^ Munro (1961) pp.\u00a023\u201325^ “Kildalton Great Cross” RCAHMS. Retrieved 10 April 2012.^ Moffat (2005) pp.\u00a0239\u201340.^ Breeze, David J. “The ancient geography of Scotland” in Ballin Smith and Banks (2002) pp.\u00a011\u201313^ Watson (1926) pp.\u00a040\u201341^ a b Watson (1994) p. 38^ Nieke, Margaret R. “Secular Society from the Iron Age to D\u00e1l Riata and the Kingdom of Scots” in Omand (2006) p. 60^ Hunter (2000) pp. 44, 49^ Gammeltoft, Peder “Scandinavian Naming-Systems in the Hebrides \u2013 A Way of Understanding how the Scandinavians were in Contact with Gaels and Picts?” in Ballin Smith et al (2007) p. 487^ Mac an T\u00e0illeir (2003) various pages.^ “Liber Primus” The Philological Museum. Retrieved 9 November 2012.^ a b Munro (1961) p. 27^ Identification by the publisher of Monipennie (1818)^ Munro (1961) pp.\u00a027\u201328^ a b c Munro (1961) p. 29^ Munro (1961) pp.\u00a030\u201331^ Munro (1961) pp.\u00a031\u201332^ Munro (1961) p. 32^ Munro (1961) p. 36^ Monipennie (1612) p. 191^ Haswell-Smith (2004) p. 330^ Monro (1744) No. 193 “Seven Haley Isles”.^ Munro (1961) p. 42. Translation from the original Latin (recorded on p. 27) by James Aikman.^ Monro (1961) p. 34^ Munro (1961) p. 133^ Munro (1961) pp.\u00a033\u201336^ a b c d Munro (1961) p. 114^ Monro (1774) Nos. 29 and 35^ Munro (1961) p. 9^ a b Munro (1961) p. 115^ Munro (1961) pp.\u00a0111\u201312^ Munro (1961) p. 45^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n Moniepennie (1612) pp.\u00a0181\u201394^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p Munro (1961) pp.\u00a0163\u201368 and\/or as otherwise stated.^ Burton, Edwin Hubert (1913) “Ancient Diocese of Sodor and Man”. Catholic Encyclopedia. Volume 14. Robert Appleton Company\/Wikisource. Retrieved 12 November 2013.^ “Lenition”. Scottish Gaelic Grammar Wiki. Retrieved 5 December 2012.^ Haswell-Smith (2004) p. 8^ Haswell-Smith (2004) p. 5^ a b Munro (1961) p. 49^ a b c d e f g h “Get-a-map”. Ordnance Survey. Retrieved 10 November 2012.^ Monro (1774) No. 18^ a b Munro (1961) p. 165^ Monro (1774) No. 24^ Monro (1774) No. 27^ a b c d Munro (1961) p. 116^ Haswell-Smith (2004) p. 102^ a b c d e f g Matheson (1963) p. 49^ “Netherlorn and its Neighbourhood:Chapter II \u2013 Easdale” Electric Scotland Retrieved 18 March 2012.^ “Slate Islands \u2013 The Islands that Roofed the World” Southernhebrides.com. Retrieved 14 November 2009.^ Mac an T\u00e0illeir (2003) p. 65^ “Insh Island”. Gazetteer for Scotland. Retrieved 14 November 2009.^ a b c Youngson (2001) pp.\u00a010\u201311^ Munro (1961) p. 136^ Monro (1774) No. 39^ Youngson (2001) p. 11^ Munro (1961) No. 69 p. 55^ a b c d e f g h i Munro (1961) p. 117^ a b Monro (1774) No. 56^ a b c d e Munro (1961) p. 118^ a b Monro (1774) No. 57^ a b Munro (1961) p. 58^ Monipennie (1612) p. 184^ Munro (1961) pp.\u00a0121\u201322^ Munro (1961) p. 166^ Monro (1774) No. 67^ Munro (1774) No. 68^ Monro (1774) No. 77^ Monro (1774) No. 80^ Monro (1774) No. 81^ Monro (1774) No. 83^ Haswell-Smith (2004) p. 108^ a b c d Monipennie p. 186^ Haswell-Smith (2004) p. 127^ Bray (1996) pp. 89\u201390^ Monro (1774) No. 107^ Monro (1774) No. 108^ Ordnance Survey of Scotland (1856\u201387) “First Series, Sheet 71 \u2013 Glenelg”.“A Vision of Britain Through Time”. University of Portsmouth and others. Retrieved 29 December 2012.^ Roy’s Military Survey of Scotland 1747-1755. National Library of Scotland. Retrieved 30 July 2014.^ “Fladdaidh” Staffin Community Trust\/Internet Archive. Wayback archive 24 July 2011. Retrieved 8 December 2012.^ a b c d e Munro (1961) p. 119^ Monro (1774) No. 117^ a b c d e f g h i Campbell (1936) pp.\u00a026\u201330^ M’Lauchlan, Rev. Thomas (Jan 1866) “On the Kymric Element in the Celtic Topography of Scotland”. Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland. Edinburgh, VI Part 2, p. 315 which records that Beandmoyll, Beanweall, and Benvalgha are other variants found “in charters”.^ Monro (1774) No. 154^ Monro (1774) No. 141^ Laing (1874) p. 728^ Monro (1774) No. 157^ Haswell-Smith (2004) p. 502^ Haswell-Smith (2004) p. 262^ Thompson (1968) p. 13^ a b Heather (1804)^ a b c d Munro (1961) p. 120^ Pymies Isle Archived 2012-04-06 at the Wayback Machine Virtual Hebrides. Retrieved 17 November 2012^ Monro (1774) No. 161^ Munro (1961) pp.\u00a0133\u201334^ Monro(1774) No. 165^ Monro (1774) No. 169^ Monro (1774) No. 174^ Nicolson (2002) p. 217, who writes that Monro was “coming north from Skye”.^ Monro, D. (1774) No. 209^ Hatton, Scott Guga Archived 2009-12-20 at the Wayback Machine. Culture Hebrides. Retrieved 25 November 2012.^ Munro (1961) pp.\u00a092\u20134^ Monro (1774) “The Geneologies Of The Chieff Clans Of The Iles”.^ Woolf (2005) pp.\u00a03\u20134^ Caldwell (2011) p. 20^ Monro (1774) No. 55^ Munro (1961) p. 56^ Munro (1961) pp. 102, 106^ Caldwell, David (April 1996) “Urbane savages of the Western Isles”. British Archaeology. No 13. Retrieved 26 April 2012.^ Caldwell (2011) p. 59^ Munro (1961) p. 110^ Munro (1961) p. 144^ Munro (1961) p. 104References[edit]Ballin Smith, B. and Banks, I. (eds) (2002) In the Shadow of the Brochs, the Iron Age in Scotland. Stroud. Tempus. ISBN\u00a00-7524-2517-XBallin Smith, Beverley; Taylor, Simon; and Williams, Gareth (2007) West over Sea: Studies in Scandinavian Sea-Borne Expansion and Settlement Before 1300. Leiden. Brill.Bray, Elizabeth (1996) The Discovery of the Hebrides: Voyages to the Western Isles 1745\u20131883. Edinburgh. Birlinn.Buchanan, George (1582) Rerum Scoticarum Historia. The Philological Museum. 2009 edition edited by Dana Sutton, with English translation. Retrieved 9 November 2012.Caldwell, David H. (2011) Islay, Jura and Colonsay: A Historical Guide. Edinburgh. Birlinn. ISBN\u00a0978-1-84158-961-9Campbell, John Lorne (ed) (1936) The Book of Barra. Acair \u2013 reprinted 2006.Heather, William (1804) A new and improved chart of the Hebrides or Lewis Islands and adjacent coast of Scotland. National Library of Scotland. Retrieved 30 July 2014.Patrick Hunter Gillies Netherlorn, Argyllshire, and its neighbourhood.Haswell-Smith, Hamish (2004). The Scottish Islands. Edinburgh: Canongate. ISBN\u00a0978-1-84195-454-7.Laing, David (1874) “An episode in the life of Mrs. Rachel Erskine, Lady Grange, detailed by herself in a letter from St. Kilda, January 20, 1738, and other original papers”. Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland. xi Edinburgh. pp.\u00a0722\u201330.Mac an T\u00e0illeir, Iain (2003) Ainmean-\u00e0ite\/Placenames. (pdf) P\u00e0rlamaid na h-Alba. Retrieved 26 August 2012.McArthur, Calum (1986) Place Names of Jura: a Guide. Self-published.MacLeod, Norma (2004) Raasay: The Island and Its People. Edinburgh. Birlinn ISBN\u00a0978-1-84158-280-1Matheson, Angus (April 1963) “Review of Monro’s Western Isles of Scotland and Genealogies of the Clans, 1549 by R. W. Munro”. The Scottish Historical Review. 42 No. 133, Part 1 pp.\u00a048\u201351. Edinburgh. Edinburgh University Press\/JSTOR.Moffat, Alistair (2005) Before Scotland: The Story of Scotland Before History. London. Thames & HudsonMonipennie, John (1818) An Abridgement, or Summarie of the Chronicles of Scotland with a Briefe description of Scotland, to which is added The description of the Western Isles of Scotland &c. Edinburgh. David Webster. Probably first published 1612. (Appended to Memoirs of the Lord Viscount Dundee. (1818) Edinburgh, by Google Books.)Monro, Sir Donald (1549) A Description Of The Western Isles of Scotland. Appin Regiment\/Appin Historical Society. Retrieved 3 March 2007. First published in by William Auld, Edinburgh 1774.Munro, R. W. (1961) Monro’s Western Isles of Scotland and Genealogies of the Clans. Edinburgh and London. Oliver and Boyd.Nicolson, Adam (2002) Sea Room. London. HarperCollins. ISBN\u00a00-00-653201-2Omand, Donald (ed.) (2006) The Argyll Book. Edinburgh. Birlinn. ISBN\u00a01-84158-480-0Stevenson A., Stewart, J and T. (1818) Miscellanea Scotica. A collection of tracts relating to the history, antiquities, topography, and literature of Scotland. Volumes 2 & 4. Glasgow. John Wylie and Co. Archive.org. Retrieved 25 November 2012.Thompson, Francis (1968) Harris and Lewis, Outer Hebrides. Newton Abbot. David & Charles. ISBN\u00a00-7153-4260-6Watson, W. J. (1994) The Celtic Place-Names of Scotland. Edinburgh. Birlinn. ISBN\u00a01-84158-323-5. First published 1926.Woolf, Alex (2005) “The origins and ancestry of Somerled: Gofraid mac Fergusa and The Annals of the Four Masters” (pdf) in Mediaeval Scandinavia 15.Youngson, Peter (2001) Jura: Island of Deer. Edinburgh. Birlinn. ISBN\u00a01-84158-136-4DictionariesFurther reading[edit]A Description of The Western Isles of Scotland, a 2010 English translation by Austin MardonExternal links[edit]"},{"@context":"http:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"item":{"@id":"https:\/\/wiki.edu.vn\/en\/wiki10\/#breadcrumbitem","name":"Enzyklop\u00e4die"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"item":{"@id":"https:\/\/wiki.edu.vn\/en\/wiki10\/description-of-the-western-isles-of-scotland\/#breadcrumbitem","name":"Description of the Western Isles of Scotland"}}]}]