Inchcailloch

Inchcailloch is a small islet sitting in the breathtaking expanse of Loch Lomond, offering a tranquil escape from the hustle and bustle of modern life. This picturesque island, renowned for its natural beauty and rich history, is a haven for nature lovers, hikers, and those seeking a peaceful retreat. You can reach it by taking a boat over from Balmaha Boatyard.

Inchcailloch means “island of the old or cowled woman”, presumably named after the 8th century Irish missionary, St Kentigerna, who settled on the island. She died there in 734 and legend has it that a nunnery was established on the island.

The island itself is just 0.19 square miles in size and the highest point is called Tom na Nigheanan which means "hill of the daughter". There was a farm on the island that is now in ruins. For 130 years, there was an oak plantation that was processed across the water at Balmaha.

Once, parishioners from the mainland took the boat over to the church on the island. The burial ground is worth a visit; there are graves for ancestors of Rob Roy MacGregor. Both the church, abandoned in 1670, and graveyard, in use until 1947, are now in ruins and overgrown but this only adds to the ancient feel of the island.

Inchcailloch is a botanical wonderland, boasting a diverse range of flora and fauna. The island's woodlands, predominantly comprised of oak, birch, and hazel, create a canopy that provides a cool and refreshing atmosphere during the warmer months. In spring, the island is adorned with vibrant wildflowers, including bluebells, primroses, and wild daffodils.

The island's wildlife is equally impressive. Red squirrels can often be spotted scurrying through the trees, while deer and rabbits graze in the meadows. Birdwatchers will delight in the opportunity to observe a variety of species, including herons, kingfishers, and great crested grebes, along with a host of woodland birds and if you are lucky an Osprey or two. You may also spot Dor Beetles wandering along the paths. These are a large black beetle that has a distinctive purple sheen to it.

Inchcailloch also lies on the line that defines the point where the Scottish Lowlands become the Scottish Highlands, the Highland Boundary Fault. You don't have to look too closely to spot that the mountains to the north are far higher and more rugged than those to the south. Another geological piece of interest on the island is the predominance of “Conglomerate” a type of rock formed 400 million years ago when rivers flowed down from the mountains and brought sand, silt and pebbles with it. Its distinctive look with lots of round pebbles in it gives it its more common name of “Pudding Stone” due to its resemblance to plum pudding!

Walter Scott refers to Inchcailloch in his poem The Lady of the Lake.

“A slender crosslet formed with care

A cubit's length in measure due

The shafts and limbs were rods of yew

Whose parents in Inch Cailliach wave

Their Shadows o'er Clan Alpine's grave,

And, answering Lomond's breezes deep,

Soothe many a chieftain's endless sleep.”

Visitors can explore the island on foot, following well-marked trails that wind through the woods and along the shoreline. Inchcailloch is owned and managed by the National Trust for Scotland, and there are even toilets at the south western end.