Isle of Arran

The Isle of Arran (Scots Gaelic: Eilean Arainn) is the largest island in the Firth of Clyde (430 km2). It is in the region of North Ayrshire. In the 2001 census it had a usually resident population of 5,058.

History

It is likely that along with Bute, Arran was once the home of a P-Celtic or Brythonic speaking people. However, the Gaels spread to the island from their adjacent kingdom of Dalriada and replaced the older language with their Q-Celtic tongue. Later the island, along with the vast majority of Scottish islands, became the property of the Norwegian crown. Haakon IV of Norway visited the island in 1263 en route to the Battle of Largs. After the battle the island was granted to the Lord of the Isles.

Related Topics:
Bute - Brythonic - Gaels - Dalriada - Norwegian - Haakon IV of Norway - 1263 - Battle of Largs - Lord of the Isles

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St. Columba and St. Ninian are said to have stayed on Arran, and there are other Irish connections, e.g. a stone circle named Fingal's Cauldron. Nearby is the 34 metres deep King's Cave where Robert the Bruce took shelter.

Related Topics:
Columba - Ninian - Robert the Bruce

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There are standing stones on Machrie Moor and the Giant's Graves above Whiting Bay. St. Molio's Cave has wall carvings which are evidence of a rare Pictish script.

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