A' Chùli

A' Chùli is a small, uninhabited island in the Garvellachs, part of the Firth of Lorn in Argyll and Bute. It lies between the larger islands of Garbh Eileach and Eileach an Naoimh, covering just 20 hectares. The island is surrounded by a few tiny skerries, such as Grob nan Sgarbh and Sgeir Leth a' Chuain, to the southwest. Its earlier name, Cùil Bhrianainn, means ‘Brendan’s retreat’, hinting at its historical ties. Brendan the Navigator is said to have built a chapel here and was buried on the island. Today, no trace of the chapel remains, nor of two unroofed buildings recorded in 1881. The island’s past is tied to legends and limited records. Ordnance Survey maps from the 19th century mention two unroofed structures, likely shielings used by shepherds. These too have vanished over time. A more recent event occurred in 1981, when a fishing boat sank just 0.8 kilometres northwest of A' Chùli. The island’s isolation and sparse history make it a quiet spot in the Garvellachs. Visitors to A' Chùli find a rugged, unspoilt landscape with no permanent structures. The island’s shores are rocky, and its small size means walking around it takes little time. The surrounding skerries add to the wild beauty of the area. The Firth of Lorn’s waters and the nearby larger islands provide a dramatic backdrop. The sense of history lingers, though little remains of the chapel or Brendan’s retreat. It is a place for those seeking solitude and a connection to Scotland’s past.