Inishail

Inishail is a small island in Loch Awe, Argyll and Bute. It lies at the northern end of the loch, between Cladich and Kilchurn. The island is known as the ‘Green Isle’ because its grassy surface stands out against the more wooded islets nearby. It sits between the dramatic Pass of Brander on one side and the village of Cladich on the other. The loch itself is long and narrow, stretching deep into the Highland landscape. The island was once a parish and home to a small chapel dedicated to St Fyndoca. Remains of its walls still stand on a slight rise, enclosed by an iron fence to keep out cattle. Some believe this was once a Cistercian nunnery, though records are unclear. After the Reformation, the land became a lordship held by the Hay family, former abbots turned Protestant nobles. The island also served as a burial place for two Dukes of Argyll, who chose it over the family church at Kilmun. Visitors find a quiet, grassy island with the ruins of the old chapel and a fenced burial ground. Ancient carved tombstones mark the graves of ecclesiastics, warriors and nobles. The view across the loch takes in the wooded slopes and distant hills. A sense of history lingers in the fragments of stone and the peaceful setting. The island remains accessible by boat from nearby villages.