Shuna Island

Shuna Island lies in Loch Linnhe off the coast of Appin in Argyll and Bute. The island stretches two kilometres long and one kilometre wide, with a flat-topped hill at its southern end. Its name comes from the Norse word for ‘sea island’. The Sound of Shuna separates it from the mainland. Castle Shuna, a small ruined tower-house, stands at the south end of the island. The island first appears in a late 16th-century record as belonging to John Stewart, Laird of Appin. In the 18th century Shuna Farmhouse replaced the castle as the main residence. The farmhouse, built in the 1740s, is a Category B listed traditional building. Nearby, Castle Stalker overlooks Loch Laich from the opposite shore. Both castles were once held by the Stewarts of Appin. Shuna forms part of the Lynn of Lorn National Scenic Area, one of Scotland’s protected landscapes. The island’s quiet shores offer views across the loch to Castle Stalker. A low hill rises at the southern tip, giving a clear outlook over the water. The farmhouse remains the only inhabited dwelling on the island. Visitors find an unspoilt spot where history and nature meet.