Islay
Islay
is the southernmost island of the Inner Hebrides, Argyllshire,
Scotland, 16 miles West of Kintyre and 3/4 m. South West of
Jura, from which it is separated by the Sound of Islay. Area,
150,400 acres; maximum breadth 19 miles and maximum length
25 miles. The sea-lochs Gruinart and Indaal cut into it so
deeply as almost to convert the western portion into a separate
island. It is rich and productive, and has been called the
“ Queen of the Hebrides.” The surface generally
is regular, the highest summits being Ben Bheigeir (1609 ft.)
and Sgorr nam Faoileann (1407 ft.). There are several freshwater
lakes and streams, which provide good fishing.
Islay
was the ancient seat of the “lord of the Isles,”
the first to adopt that title being John Macdonald of Isle
of Islay, who died about 1386; but the Macdonalds were ultimately
ousted bytheir rivals,the Campbells, about 1616. Islay House,
the ancient seat of the Campbells of Islay, stands at the
head of Loch Indaal. The island was formerly occupied by small
crofters and tacksmen, but since 1831 it has been gradually
developed into large sheep and arable farms and considerable
business is done in stock-raising. Dairy-farming is largely
followed, and oats, barley and various green crops are raised.
The
chief difficulty in the way of reclamation is the great area
of peat (60 square miles), which, at its present rate of consumption,
is calculated to last 1500 years. The island contains several
whisky distilleries, producing about 400,000 gallons annually.
Slate and marble are quarried, and there is a little mining
of iron, lead and silver. At Bowmore, the chief town, there
is a considerable shipping trade. Port Ellen, the principal
village, has a quay with lighthouse, a fishery and a golf-course.
Port Askaig is the ferry station for Faolin on Jura. Regular
communication with the Clyde is maintained by steamers, and
a cable was laid between Lagavulin and Kintyre in 1871.
