View source for Argyll

{{Short description|Historic county and registration county of western Scotland}}
{{About|the Scottish county|other uses|Argyll (disambiguation)|and|Argyle (disambiguation)}}
{{distinguish|Argylle{{!}}''Argylle''}}
{{Use British English|date=August 2023}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2015}}

{{infobox historic subdivision
<!-- Header -->
| Name                  = Argyll
| subdivision_type      = [[Shires of Scotland|Historic county]]
| AltName               = {{Native name|gd|Earra-Ghàidheal}}
| Image                 = Argyllshire locator map.svg
| image_caption         = 
| arms_image            = <!--Coat of arms (display option 1)-->
| arms_link             = 
| flag_image            = 
| flag_link             = 
<!-- Geography -->
| Map                   = 
| map_caption           =  
| coordinates           = {{coord|56|15|N|5|15|W|region:GB_type:adm2nd_source:GNS-enwiki|display=title,inline}} {{UK|NM 98748 11137}}
| AreaFirst             = <!--Use these to record the area, and any changes over time-->
| AreaFirstYear         = 
| AreaSecond            = 
| AreaSecondYear        = 
| AreaThird             = 
| AreaThirdYear         = 
| AreaLast              = 
| AreaLastYear          = 
| area_lost1            = <!--Significant areas the territory lost-->
| lost_to1              = <!--Where it transferred to-->
| area_lost_year1       = <!--The year it happened-->
| area_gained1          = <!--Significant areas the territory gained-->
| gained_from1          = <!--Where it transferred from-->
| area_gained_year1     = <!--The year it happened-->

<!-- History -->
| preceded_by           = [[Dál Riata]];<br />[[Lordship of the Isles]]
| Start                 = 
| End                   = 1975
| Replace               = [[Strathclyde]] (Region, 1975-1996);<br />[[Argyll and Bute]] (District, 1975–1996, Council area 1996–)
<!-- Demography -->
| PopulationFirst       = <!--Use these to record the population, and any changes over time-->
| PopulationFirstYear   = 
| PopulationSecond      = 
| PopulationSecondYear  = 
| PopulationThird       = 
| PopulationThirdYear   = 
| PopulationLast        = 
| PopulationLastYear    = 
| DensityFirst          = <!--Use these to record the density, and any changes over time-->
| DensityFirstYear      = 
| DensitySecond         = 
| DensitySecondYear     = 
| DensityThird          = 
| DensityThirdYear      = 
| DensityLast           = 
| DensityLastYear       = 
<!-- Governance -->
| Status                = <!--The status(es) the unit held-->
| Government            =  
| government_type       = <!--The category/type of local government-->
| Arms                  = <!--Coat of arms (display option 2)-->
| arms_caption          =  
| Civic                 = <!--Civic seal, logo or other-->
| civic_caption         = 
| Motto                 =  
| HQ                    = 
| CodeName              = [[Chapman code]] 
| Code                  = ARL
<!-- Subdivisions -->
| Divisions             = <!--The name of the subdivision type it had, for example parishes or wards-->
| DivisionsNames        = <!--The names of the subdivisions-->
| DivisionsMap          = <!--Map of the subdivisions-->
| divisions_map_caption = 
<!-- Memberships -->
| membership_title1     = <!--Type of unit it was part of-->
| membership1           = <!--Name of the unit it was part of -->
| membership_title2     = 
| membership2           = 
| membership_title3     = 
| membership3           = 
| membership_title4     = 
| membership4           = 
| membership_title5     = 
| membership5           = 
}}

[[File:ARGYLESHIRE map.jpg|thumb|right|Argyll {{circa|1854}}]]

'''Argyll''' ({{IPAc-en|ɑr|ˈ|ɡ|aɪ|l}}; [[archaically]] '''Argyle'''; {{langx|gd|Earra-Ghàidheal}}, {{IPA|gd|ɛrˠə ˈɣɛː.əl̪ˠ|pron}}), sometimes called '''Argyllshire''', is a [[Shires of Scotland|historic county]] and [[registration county]] of western [[Scotland]]. The county ceased to be used for local government purposes in 1975 and most of the area now forms part of the larger [[Argyll and Bute]] [[Council areas of Scotland|council area]].

Argyll is of ancient origin, and broadly corresponds to the ancient kingdom of {{lang|gd|[[Dál Riata]]}} less the parts which were in [[Ireland]]. Argyll was also a [[diocese of Argyll|medieval bishopric]] with its cathedral at [[Lismore, Scotland|Lismore]]. In medieval times the area was divided into a number of [[provincial lordships]]. One of these, covering only the central part of the later county, was called Argyll. It was initially an [[earldom]], elevated to become a [[duke]]dom in 1701 with the creation of the [[Duke of Argyll]]. Other lordships in the area included [[Cowal]], [[Kintyre]], [[Knapdale]], and [[Lorne, Scotland|Lorn]]. From at least the 14th century there was a [[Sheriff of Argyll]], whose jurisdiction was gradually extended; from 1633 the [[Shires of Scotland|shire]] covered all these five provinces. Shires gradually eclipsed the old provinces in administrative importance, and also became known as counties. Between 1890 and 1975, Argyll had a [[county council]]. The county town was historically [[Inveraray]], but from its creation in 1890 the county council was based at [[Lochgilphead]].

The county is sparsely populated, with many islands and [[sea lochs]] along its coast, and the inland parts are mountainous. Six towns in the county held [[burgh]] status: [[Campbeltown]], [[Dunoon]], Inveraray, Lochgilphead, [[Oban]], and [[Tobermory, Mull|Tobermory]]. Argyll borders [[Inverness-shire]] to the north, [[Perthshire]] and [[Dunbartonshire]] to the east, and (separated by the [[Firth of Clyde]]) neighbours [[Renfrewshire (historic)|Renfrewshire]] and [[Ayrshire]] to the south-east, and the [[County of Bute]] to the south.

Argyll ceased to be used for local government purposes in 1975. Most of the pre-1975 county was then included in the [[Argyll and Bute]] district of the [[Strathclyde]] region. The district created in 1975 excluded the [[Morvern]] and [[Ardnamurchan]] areas from the pre-1975 county, which were transferred to the [[Highland region]], but included the [[Isle of Bute]], which had not been in Argyll. Further reforms in 1996 abolished the Strathclyde region and made Argyll and Bute a single-tier [[Council areas of Scotland|council area]] instead. As part of those reforms, Argyll and Bute also gained an area around [[Helensburgh]] which had historically been in [[Dunbartonshire]].

==Name==
The name is generally said to derive from Old Irish'' {{lang|sga|airer Goídel}}'', meaning "border region of the Gaels". The early 13th-century author of ''{{lang|la|[[De Situ Albanie]]}}'' wrote that "the name ''Arregathel'' means the margin (i.e., border region) of the Scots or Irish, because all Scots and Irish are generally called ''Gattheli'' (i.e. Gaels), from their ancient warleader known as [[Goídel Glas|Gaithelglas]]." The word ''{{lang|sga|airer}}'' also means "coast" when applied to maritime regions, so the name can also be translated as "coast of the Gaels".<ref name=Woolf>{{cite book|last1=Woolf|first1=Alex|chapter-url=https://www.academia.edu/4401840|chapter=The Age of the Sea-Kings: 900–1300|title=The Argyll Book|year=2004|editor-first1=Donald |editor-last1=Omand|publication-date=2004|pages=94–95}}</ref>

An alternative theory has more recently been advanced that the name may actually come from the early Irish kingdom of [[Airgíalla]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Grant |first1=Adrian C. |title=Fife: Genesis of the Kingdom |date=2024 |publisher=Troubador Publishing |location=Market Harborough |isbn=9781805143840 |pages=180–181 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=s9gFEQAAQBAJ&dq=argyll%20airgialla&pg=PA181 |access-date=13 September 2024}}</ref>

The legal name of the county was Argyll,<ref>{{cite web |title=Local Government (Scotland) Act 1947, First Schedule |url=https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1947/43/pdfs/ukpga_19470043_en.pdf |website=legislation.gov.uk |publisher=The National Archives |access-date=21 September 2024 |page=231}}</ref> which was also used by the [[Royal Mail]] as the name of the [[postal county]] for the mainland (the islands formed their own postal counties).<ref>{{cite book |title=Post Office Guide |date=1911 |page=333 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=n8ZAAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA333 |access-date=21 September 2024 |last1=Post Office |first1=Great Britain }}</ref> The [[Ordnance Survey]] adopted the alternative form 'Argyllshire' for the county on its maps.<ref>{{cite web |title=Quarter-inch Administrative Areas Maps: Scotland, Sheet 6, 1968 |url=https://maps.nls.uk/view/222075476 |website=National Library of Scotland |access-date=21 September 2024}}</ref>

==History==
{{Historical populations
|title=Historical Argyll population
|type=Argyll
|1801|81,277
|1811|86,541
|1821|97,316
|1831|100,973
|1841|97,371
|1851|89,298
|1901|73,642
|1911|70,902
|1921|76,862
|1931|63,050
|1951|63,361
|source      =<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/unit/10190654/cube/TOT_POP|title=Argyll ScoCnty through time / Population Statistics / Total Population |place=University of Portsmouth |publisher= A Vision of Britain through Time|access-date=22 February 2023}}</ref>
}}

The [[Kilmartin Glen]] has [[menhir|standing stones]] and other monuments dating back to around 3000{{nbsp}}BC, and is one of the most significant areas for [[Neolithic]] and [[Bronze Age]] remains in mainland [[Scotland]]. In 563{{nbsp}}AD [[Iona Abbey]] was founded, becoming one of the most important early [[History of early Christianity|Christian]] sites in Scotland.<ref>{{cite web |title=The History of Argyll and Bute |url=https://www.argyll-bute.gov.uk/history-argyll-and-bute |website=Argyll and Bute Council |access-date=25 February 2023}}</ref>

[[File:Dunadd Fort 20080427.jpg|thumb|left|[[Dunadd]]]]
The [[Gaels|Gaelic]] kingdom of {{lang|sga|[[Dál Riata]]|italic=unset}} existed between the 5th and 9th centuries. Its territory covered north-eastern parts of [[Ireland]] in what later became [[County Antrim]], part of the mainland of [[Great Britain]] in what is now western [[Scotland]], and numerous islands in the [[Inner Hebrides]]. A fortress at [[Dunadd]] in the Kilmartin Glen, {{convert|4|miles|km}} north-west of the modern town of [[Lochgilphead]], served as the main seat of the kingdom.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Macnair |first1=Peter |title=Argyllshire and Buteshire |date=1914 |publisher=Cambridge University Press |location=Cambridge |page=66 |url=https://archive.org/details/argyllshirebutes00macnuoft/page/66/mode/2up |access-date=24 February 2023}}</ref> Dál Riata fragmented in the 9th century during the [[Viking Age]]; the part in Ireland was absorbed into the kingdom of [[Ulaid]], the islands came under the control of the [[Kingdom of the Isles]], and the part on mainland Britain was united in 843{{nbsp}}AD with the [[Picts|Pictish]] kingdom to its east under [[Kenneth MacAlpin]] to become the [[Kingdom of Alba]].<ref name=Britannica>{{cite web |title=Argyllshire |url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Argyllshire |website=Britannica |access-date=24 February 2023}}</ref>

The name Argyll ({{lang|sga|Airer Goídel}}), meaning 'coast or borderland of the Gaels', came to be used for the part of the former Dál Riata territory on mainland Britain. The name distinguished the area from the {{lang|sga|Innse Gall}}, meaning 'islands of the foreigners' which was used for the Kingdom of the Isles, ruled by [[Old Norse]]-speaking [[Norse–Gaels]].<ref name=Woolf/>

Dunardry in Argyll, was the historic seat of the ancient [[Clan MacTavish|MacTavish clan]]. An early mention of the [[Clan MacTavish]] lineage and its presence in Argyll can be found in records from the [[Philological Society of London]], the oldest scholarly society in Great Britain. One of its publications notes: "Our author's father was married to a daughter of Campbell of Ashfield, and her mother was a daughter of MacTavifh or Thomfon of Dunardary (spelling as originally printed). This is a highly esteemed and ancient family, having held the Dunardary estate for over nine centuries."<ref>{{cite book|title=European Magazine and London Review, Vol. 23|publisher=Philological Society of London|year=1793|pages=358}}</ref> Further corroboration of this claim appears in [[The Scots Magazine]] from 1793.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://clanmactavish.org/history |title=Clan MacTavish History |website=ClanMacTavish.org}}</ref> Given that the MacTavishes were documented at Dunardary for 900 years prior to that reference, their presence in the region can be traced back to approximately 893 AD.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://clanmactavish.org/history |title=History of Clan MacTavish, the Seannachie's Pages |website=Official Website of Clan MacTavish, ClanMacTavish.org}}</ref>

Argyll was divided into several lordships or [[Provinces of Scotland|provinces]], including [[Kintyre]], [[Knapdale]], [[Lorne, Scotland|Lorn]], [[Cowal]], and a smaller Argyll province which covered the area around Inveraray between [[Loch Fyne]] and [[Loch Awe]] (the latter sometimes described by later writers as "Argyll proper" or "Mid-Argyll" to distinguish it from the wider area).<ref>{{cite book |last1=Hall |first1=Robert |title=A Complete Guide to Scotland, for the use of the sportsman and tourist |date=1887 |publisher=Simpkin Marshall & Co. |location=London |page=73 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=VTdr5mFEZt0C&dq=Argyll+land+between+loch+fyne+loch+awe&pg=PA73}}</ref> The term "North Argyll" was also used to refer to the area later called [[Wester Ross]]. It was called North Argyll as it was settled by missionaries and refugees from {{lang|sga|Dál Riata|italic=unset}}, based at the abbey of [[Applecross]]. The position of abbot was hereditary, and when [[Fearchar, Earl of Ross|Ferchar mac in tSagairt]], son of the abbot, became the [[Earl of Ross]] in the 13th century, the region of North Argyll gradually became known as Wester Ross instead.<!--The act of 1503 which created an independent sheriff of Ross independent, made it independent from Inverness, not Argyll; the Argyll that involves Ross is North Argyll, an old name for Wester Ross -->

[[File:Coastal walk south east Isle of Colonsay.JPG|thumb|right|Coast of [[Colonsay]]]]
Alba evolved into the kingdom of Scotland, but lost control of Kintyre, Knapdale and Lorn to [[Scandinavian Scotland|Norwegian]] rule, as was acknowledged in a treaty of 1098 between [[Edgar, King of Scotland]] and [[Magnus Barefoot]], [[King of Norway]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Oram |first1=Richard |title=David I: The King who made Scotland |date=2004 |publisher=Tempus |location=Stroud |isbn=0-7524-2825-X |page=48}}</ref> In 1266, the [[Treaty of Perth]] re-established the Scottish crown's authority over the parts of Argyll which had been under Norwegian rule, along with the former Kingdom of the Isles, which together became the semi-independent [[Lordship of the Isles]].<ref name=Britannica/><ref>{{cite book |last1=Oliver |first1=Neil |title=A History of Scotland |date=2010 |publisher=Orion Books |location=London |isbn=9780753826638 |pages=88–93}}</ref>

By this time, the rest of the area under Scottish rule was divided into [[Shires of Scotland|shires]], administered by [[sheriff principal|sheriffs]]. The shires covered different territories to the provinces, and it was the shires which subsequently evolved into Scotland's counties rather than the older provinces. Following the Treaty of Perth, the Argyll provinces were initially placed in the [[Perthshire|shire of Perth]]. In 1293, two new shires were created within Argyll; the [[Sheriff of Kintyre]], covering just that province, and the [[Sheriff of Lorn]], covering Lorn, Knapdale, and Mid-Argyll (which probably included Cowal at that time).<ref>{{cite web |last1=Brown |first1=Keith |title=Legislation: Second roll of parliament, 9 February 1293 |url=http://www.rps.ac.uk/trans/1293/2/17 |website=The Records of the Parliament of Scotland to 1707 |publisher=University of St Andrews |access-date=25 February 2023}}</ref>

The earliest reference to a [[Sheriff of Argyll]] was in 1326.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Macnair |first1=Peter |title=Argyllshire and Buteshire |date=1914 |publisher=Cambridge University Press |location=Cambridge |page=1 |url=https://archive.org/details/argyllshirebutes00macnuoft/page/n15/mode/2up |access-date=25 February 2023}}</ref> The position appears to have been a re-establishment or renaming of the position of the Sheriff of Lorn. The post subsequently became a hereditary position held by members of [[Clan Campbell]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Chalmers |first1=George |title=Caledonia |date=1894 |publisher=Alexander Gardner |location=Paisley |page=148 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=lh7ofHb6IMIC |access-date=25 February 2023}}</ref>

Despite the creation of the shires, much of the area remained under the practical control of the Lord of the Isles until 1476, when [[John of Islay, Earl of Ross|John MacDonald]], last Lord of the Isles, [[quitclaim]]ed Kintyre, Knapdale, and Mid-Argyll to full Scottish control. In 1481, Knapdale was added to the shire of Kintyre which then became known as [[Tarbertshire]], being initially administered from [[Tarbert, Kintyre|Tarbert]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Mitchell |first1=Dugald |title=Tarbert Past and Present |date=1886 |publisher=Bennett & Thomson |location=Dumbarton |page=45 |url=https://archive.org/details/tarbertpastandp00mitcgoog/page/n6/mode/1up?view=theater |access-date=25 February 2023}}</ref>

The [[Scottish Reformation]] coincidentally followed the fall of the Lordship of the Isles. The MacDonalds (the clan of the former Lords of the Isles) were strong supporters of the former religious regime. The Campbells, by contrast, were strong supporters of the reforms. At the start of the 17th century, under instruction from [[James VI of Scotland|James VI]], the Campbells were sent to the MacDonald territory at [[Isle of Islay|Islay]] and [[Jura, Scotland|Jura]], which they subdued and added to the shire of Argyll. Campbell pressure at this time also led to the sheriff court for Tarbertshire being moved to [[Inverary]], where the Campbells held the court for the sheriff of Argyll. Tarbertshire was subsequently abolished by an act of parliament in 1633, being absorbed into the shire of Argyll. The act also confirmed the town of Inveraray's position as "head burgh" of the enlarged shire.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Brown |first1=Keith |title=Act in favour of lord Lorne, 28 June 1633 |url=http://www.rps.ac.uk/trans/1633/6/91 |website=Records of the Parliament of Scotland |publisher=University of St Andrews |access-date=25 February 2023}}</ref>

[[File:Inveraray Jail (geograph 5958191).jpg|thumb|left|[[Inveraray Jail]], built 1820 and used as the sheriff court and meeting place for the Commissioners of Supply]]
In 1667, [[Commissioners of Supply]] were established for each shire, which would serve as the main administrative body for the area until the creation of county councils in 1890.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Brown |first1=Keith |title=Act of the convention of estates of the kingdom of Scotland etc. for a new and voluntary offer to his majesty of £72,000 monthly for the space of twelve months, 23 January 1667 |url=http://www.rps.ac.uk/trans/1667/1/10 |website=Records of the Parliament of Scotland |publisher=University of St Andrews |access-date=25 February 2023}}</ref>

[[Image:Oransay Priory.JPG|thumb|right|Oronsay Priory, [[Oronsay, Inner Hebrides]]]]
[[David II, King of Scotland|David II]] had restored MacDougall authority over Lorn in 1357, but [[John Gallda MacDougall|John MacDougall]] (head of the MacDougalls) had already renounced claims to Mull (in 1354) in favour of the MacDonalds, to avoid potential conflict. The [[Clan Maclean|MacLeans]] were an ancient family based in Lorn (including Mull), and following the quitclaim, they no longer had a Laird in Mull, so themselves became Mull's Lairds. Unlike the MacDonalds, they were fervent supporters of the Reformation, even supporting acts of [[civil disobedience]] against king [[Charles II of England|Charles II]]'s [[Rescissory Act 1661|repudiation]] of the [[Solemn League and Covenant#Charles II (Third Civil War)|Solemn League and Covenant]]. [[Archibald Campbell, 9th Earl of Argyll|Archibald Campbell]] (Earl of Argyll) was instructed by the [[privy council]] to seize Mull, and suppress the [[conventicle|non-conformist behaviour]]; by 1680 he gained possession of the island, and transferred shrieval authority to the sheriff of Argyll.

In 1746, following [[Jacobite risings|Jacobite]] insurrections, the [[Heritable Jurisdictions (Scotland) Act 1746|Heritable Jurisdictions Act]] abolished [[regality]], and forbade the position of sheriff from being inherited. Local governance was brought into line with that of the rest of the recently unified [[Kingdom of Great Britain|Great Britain]], and the English term "county" came to be used interchangeably with the term "shire". In 1890, elected county councils were created under the [[Local Government (Scotland) Act 1889]].

The 1889 Act also led to parish and county boundaries being adjusted to eliminate cases where parishes straddled county boundaries. The parish of [[Small Isles]] straddled Argyll and Inverness-shire, with the islands of [[Muck, Scotland|Muck]], [[Rùm]], [[Canna, Scotland|Canna]], and [[Sanday, Inner Hebrides|Sanday]] being in Argyll but [[Eigg]] in Inverness-shire. The whole parish was placed in Inverness-shire in 1891. The parishes of [[Ardnamurchan]] and [[Kilmallie]] both also straddled Argyll and Inverness-shire; the county boundary through Kilmallie was adjusted to follow [[Loch Eil]] in 1891.<ref name=Hay>{{cite book |last1=Shennan |first1=Hay |title=Boundaries of counties and parishes in Scotland as settled by the Boundary Commissioners under the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1889 |date=1892 |publisher=W. Green |location=Edinburgh |page=288 |url=https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_meygAAAAMAAJ/page/n325/mode/2up |access-date=21 September 2024}}</ref> In 1895 these two parishes were both split along the county boundary; the part of Ardnamurchan in Inverness-shire became a new parish of [[Arisaig|Arisaig and Moidart]], leaving the reduced Ardnamurchan parish wholly in Argyll, whilst the part of Kilmallie in Argyll became a new parish of [[Ardgour]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Ardgour Scottish Parish |url=https://visionofbritain.org.uk/unit/10181501 |website=A Vision of Britain through Time |publisher=GB Historical GIS / University of Portsmouth |access-date=21 September 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |title=The Councillor's Manual |date=1925 |page=113 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=p8BcU1udElgC&q=ardgour%201895 |access-date=21 September 2024 |author1=Scotland }}</ref>

Argyll was abolished as a county for local government purposes in 1975, with its area being split between [[Highland (council area)|Highland]] and Strathclyde Regions. A [[local government (Scotland)|local government]] district called '''Argyll and Bute''' was formed in the [[Strathclyde]] [[Local government areas of Scotland 1973 to 1996|region]], including most of Argyll and the adjacent [[Isle of Bute]] (the former County of Bute was more extensive). The [[Ardnamurchan]], [[Ardgour]], [[Ballachulish]], Duror, [[Glencoe, Highland|Glencoe]], [[Kinlochleven]], and [[Morvern]] areas of Argyll were detached to become parts of [[Lochaber]] District, in Highland. They remained in Highland following the 1996 revision.

In 1996, a new [[Council areas of Scotland|unitary council area]] of [[Argyll and Bute]] was created, with a change in boundaries to include part of the former Strathclyde district of [[Dumbarton]]. The historic county boundaries of Argyll are still used for some limited official purposes connected with land registration, being a [[registration county]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ros.gov.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0017/14921/LandMassCoverageReport2015-proofed.pdf |title=Land Mass Coverage Report |publisher=Registers of Scotland |access-date=2015-05-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303232505/https://www.ros.gov.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0017/14921/LandMassCoverageReport2015-proofed.pdf |archive-date=3 March 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

===County council===
[[File:Council Offices - Loghgilphead - geograph.org.uk - 3698418.jpg|thumb|County Council's headquarters after 1925: 5 Lochnell Street, [[Lochgilphead]]]]
Argyll County Council held its first meeting at the [[Inveraray Jail|courthouse in Inveraray]] on 22 May 1890, when over three hours were spent debating where the council should meet thereafter, with proposals put forward in favour of meeting in [[Lochgilphead]], [[Inveraray]], [[Oban]], [[Dunoon]], or even [[Glasgow]] (despite the latter being outside the county). It was decided to meet at Dunoon between May and September and at Oban for the rest of the year.<ref name=1890meeting>{{cite news |title=Argyllshire County Council |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/ |access-date=22 February 2023 |website=Oban Telegraph |date=30 May 1890 |page=5}}</ref> The council did subsequently hold meetings in more places than just those two towns, meeting occasionally at all the towns which had been suggested at that first meeting.<ref name=Giarchi>{{cite web|url=http://theses.gla.ac.uk/73920/1/10662698.pdf|page=232|title=Between McAlpine and Polaris|first=George Giacinto |last=Giarchi|year=1980|publisher=Glasgow University|access-date=23 December 2022}}</ref>

The council also appointed a clerk who was based in Lochgilphead at its first meeting, beginning the practice of having the council's main offices in that town.<ref name=1890meeting/><ref>{{cite book |title=Slater's Royal National Commercial Directory of Scotland |date=1903 |page=172 |url=https://digital.nls.uk/directories/browse/archive/90672853 |access-date=22 February 2023}}</ref> The clerk's offices were initially at the County Offices which formed part of Lochgilphead's courthouse and police station on Lochnell Street, which had been built in 1849.<ref>Valuation Rolls of Glassary Parish, 1895, 1905, 1925</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Lochgilphead, Lochnell Street, Police Station |url=https://canmore.org.uk/site/293220 |website=Canmore |publisher=Historic Environment Scotland |access-date=23 February 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Lochgilphead Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan |url=https://www.argyll-bute.gov.uk/sites/default/files/lochgilphead_caa_consultation_draft_rev_a_for_consultation.pdf |website=Argyll and Bute Council |access-date=23 February 2023}}</ref> In 1925 the council bought the former Argyll Hotel at 5 Lochnell Street for £2,700, converting it to become their offices.{{efn|The former Argyll Hotel at 5 Lochnell Street is not to be confused with the building later known as the Argyll Hotel or Argyll Inn at 69 Lochnell Street; prior to 1925 the latter building was called the "Lochgilphead Hotel".<ref>Valuation Rolls of Glassary Parish, 1925</ref>}} The hotel had been built in 1887, and was renamed County Offices.<ref>{{cite web |title=Lochgilphead, Lochnell Street, Regional Council Offices |url=https://canmore.org.uk/site/155744 |website=Canmore |publisher=Historic Environment Scotland |access-date=23 February 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Hotel as County Offices |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/ |access-date=22 February 2023 |work=Aberdeen Press and Journal |date=13 October 1925 |page=8}}</ref> The Lochgilphead building was not large enough to house all the council's staff, and some departments remained in other towns throughout the county council's existence, with the county treasurer being based in Campbeltown, the health department in Oban, and the education offices in Dunoon.<ref name=Giarchi/><ref>Highlands and Islands Telephone Directory, July 1974, page 5</ref>

After the county council's abolition in 1975, the building at 5 Lochnell Street became the sub-regional office of [[Strathclyde]] Regional Council, being renamed "Dalriada House", whilst the new [[Argyll and Bute]] District Council established its headquarters at nearby [[Kilmory Castle]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Strathclyde: Argyll and Bute Sub-Region |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/ |access-date=22 February 2023 |work=Daily Record |date=4 December 1989 |location=Glasgow |page=20}}</ref><ref>{{London Gazette|issue=20236|page=156|date=17 February 1978|city=e}}</ref>

==Geography==
Argyll is split into two non-contiguous mainland sections divided by [[Loch Linnhe]], plus a large number of islands that fall within the [[Inner Hebrides]]. Mainland Argyll is characterised by mountainous [[Scottish Highlands|Highland]] scenery interspersed with hundreds of lochs, with a heavily indented coastline containing numerous small offshore islands. The islands present a contrasting range of scenery – from the relatively flat islands of [[Coll]] and [[Tiree]] to the mountainous terrain of [[Jura, Scotland|Jura]] and [[Isle of Mull|Mull]]. For ease of reference the following is split into three sections: Mainland (north), Mainland (south) and the Inner Hebrides.

===Mainland (north)===
The northern mainland section consists of two large peninsulas – [[Ardnamurchan]] and [[Morvern]] – divided by [[Loch Sunart]], with a large inland section – known traditionally as [[Ardgour]] – bounded on the east by [[Loch Linnhe]]. This loch gradually narrows, before turning sharply west in the vicinity of Fort William (where it is known as [[Loch Eil]]), almost cutting the northern mainland section of Argyll in two. This area, in the vicinity of [[Fort William, Highland|Fort William]] and along the railway line, contains the largest towns of northern mainland Argyll.

Ardnamurchan is a remote, mountainous region with only one access road; it terminates in [[Ardnamurchan Point]] and [[Corrachadh Mòr]], the [[List of extreme points of the United Kingdom|westernmost points]] of the British mainland. In the north-east of the peninsula two unnamed sub-peninsulas almost encircle [[Kentra Bay]], and are bound by the South Channel of [[Loch Moidart]] to the north; to the east of this lies the [[River Shiel]] and then [[Loch Shiel]], a long loch which forms most of this section of the border with Inverness-shire. Morvern is a large peninsula and like its northern neighbour is remote, mountainous and sparsely populated. In its north-west [[Loch Teacuis]] cuts deeply into the peninsula, as does [[Loch Aline]] in the south. At the estuary of Loch Teacuis lie the large islands of [[Oronsay, Loch Sunart|Oronsay]], [[Risga]] and [[Càrna]]. There are numerous lochs in northern Argyll, the largest being [[Loch Doilet]], [[Loch Arienas]], [[Loch Teàrnait]], [[Loch Doire nam Mart]] and [[Loch Mudle]].

====List of islands====
{{div col|colwidth=20em}}
*[[Am Brican]]
*[[Ardtoe Island]]
*[[Big Stirk]]
*[[Càrna]]
*[[Dearg Sgeir]]
*[[Dubh Sgeir]]
*[[Eilean a' Chuilinn]]
*[[Eilean a' Mhuirich]]
*[[Eilean an Fhèidh]]
*[[Eilean an t-Sionnaich]]
*[[Eilean Ghleann Fhionainn]]
*[[Eilean Mhic Dhomhnuill Dhuibh]]
*[[Eilean mo Shlinneag]]
*[[Eilean Mòr, Loch Sunart]]
*[[Eilean Mòr, Loch Sunart (inner)]]
*[[Eilean na h-Acarseid]]
*[[Eilean na Beitheiche]]
*[[Eilean nam Gillean]]
*[[Eilean nan Eildean]]
*[[Eilean nan Gabhar]]
*[[Eilean nan Gall]]
*[[Eilean Rubha an Ridire]]
*[[Eilean Uillne]]
*[[Eileanan Glasa]]
*[[Eileanan Loisgte]]
*[[Eileanan nan Gad]]
*[[Garbh Eilean, Argyll|Garbh Eilean]]
*[[Glas Eilean]] (inner Loch Sunart)
*[[Glas Eilean]] (outer Loch Sunart)
*[[Glas Eileanan]]
*[[Little Stirk]]
*[[Oronsay, Loch Sunart|Oronsay]]
*[[Red Rocks, Scotland|Red Rocks]]
*[[Risga]]
*[[Seilag]]
*[[Sgeir an Eididh]]
*[[Sgeir an t-Seangain]]
*[[Sgeir Buidhe]]
*[[Sgeir Charrach]]
*[[Sgeir Ghobhlach]]
*[[Sgeir Horsgeat]]
*[[Sgeir Mhali]]
*[[Sgeir Mhòr]]
*[[Sgeir nan Gillean]]
*[[Sgeirean nan Torran]]
*[[Sgeirean Shallachain]]
*[[Sligneach Bag]]
*[[Sligneach Mòr]]
{{div col end}}

<gallery mode="packed" class="center">
File:Corrachadh Mor 2005-07-15.jpg|Corrachadh Mòr as seen from the Ardnamurchan Point lighthouse
File:Dramatic Scenery at Loch Sunart - geograph.org.uk - 1659920.jpg|Loch Sunart
File:Creach Bheinn and Glen Galmadale.jpg|[[Creach Bheinn]] on the Morvern peninsula
File:Risga - geograph.org.uk - 1348719.jpg|The isle of Risga
File:Kentra Moss near Kentra - geograph.org.uk - 125936.jpg|Kentra Moss flatlands
</gallery>

===Mainland (south)===

The southern mainland section is much larger than the northern, and is dominated by the long [[Kintyre]] peninsula, the [[Mull of Kintyre|terminus]] of which lies only {{convert|13|mi|km|abbr=off}} from [[Northern Ireland]] on the other side of the [[North Channel (Great Britain and Ireland)|North Channel]]. The coast is complex, with the west coast in particular being heavily indented and containing numerous sea inlets, peninsulas and sub-peninsulas; of the latter, the major ones (north to south) are [[Appin]], [[Ardchattan]], [[Craignish]], [[Tayvallich]], [[Taynish]], [[Knapdale]] and [[Kintyre]], and the major loch inlets (north to south) are [[Loch Leven (Highlands)|Loch Leven]], [[Loch Creran]], [[Loch Etive]], [[Loch Feochan]], [[Loch Melfort]], [[Loch Craignish]], [[Loch Crinan]], [[Loch Sween]], [[Loch Caolisport]] and [[West Loch Tarbert]], the latter dividing Kintyre from Knapdale. To the east [[Loch Fyne]] separates Kintyre from the [[Cowal]] peninsula, which is itself split into three sub-peninsulas by Lochs [[Loch Striven|Striven]] and [[Loch Riddon|Riddon]] and split on its east coast by [[Holy Loch]] and [[Loch Goil]]; south across the [[Kyles of Bute]] lies the island of [[Isle of Bute|Bute]], which is part of [[Buteshire]], and to east across [[Loch Long]] lies the [[Rosneath peninsula]] in [[Dunbartonshire]]. The topography of south Argyll is in general heavily mountainous and sparsely populated, with numerous lochs; Kintyre is slightly flatter though still hilly. Near [[Glen Coe]] can be found [[Bidean nam Bian]], the tallest peak in the county at 1,150&nbsp;m (3,770&nbsp;ft). Of the lochs and bodies of water the largest are (roughly north to south) the [[Blackwater Reservoir]], [[Loch Achtriochtan]], [[Loch Laidon]], [[Loch Bà, Rannoch Moor|Loch Bà]], [[Loch Buidhe, Rannoch Moor|loch Buidhe]], [[Lochan na Stainge]], [[Loch Dochard]], [[Loch Tulla]], [[Shira Hydro-Electric Scheme|Loch Shira]], the [[Cruachan Reservoir]], [[Loch Restil]], [[Loch Awe]], [[Loch Avich]], [[Blackmill Loch]], [[Loch Nant]], [[Loch Nell]], [[Loch Scammadale]], [[Loch Glashan]], [[Loch Loskin]], [[Loch Eck]], [[Asgog Loch]], [[Loch Tarsan]], [[Càm Loch]], [[Loch nan Torran]], [[Loch Ciàran]], [[Loch Garasdale]], [[Lussa Loch]] and [[Tangy Loch]].

====List of islands====
''Note that islands lying off the west coast are generally considered to be part of the Inner Hebrides (see below)''
{{div col|colwidth=20em}}
*[[Abbot's Isle]]
*[[An Oitir]]
*[[Barmore Island]]
*[[Black Islands]]
*[[Burnt Islands]] (''comprising Eilean Mòr, Eilean Fraoich and Eilean Buidhe'')
*[[Island Davaar]]
*[[Duncuan Island]]
*[[Eilean a' Chòmhraidh]]
*[[Eilean an t-Sagairt]]
*[[Eilean Aoghainn]]
*[[Eilean Beith]]
*[[Eilean Buidhe]]
*[[Eilean Dubh, Kyles of Bute|Eilean Dubh]]
*[[Eilean Grianain]]
*[[Eilean Math-ghamhna]]
*[[Eilean Mòr]]
*[[Eilean Munde]]
*[[Eilean nam Meann]]
*[[Glas Eilean]]
*[[Gluniform Island]]
*[[Henrietta Reef]]
*[[Inis Chonain]]
*[[Inishail]]
*[[Innis Errich]]
*[[Island Ross]]
*[[MacCormaig Isles|Liath Eilean]]
*[[Oitir Mòr]]
*[[Sanda Island]]
*[[Scart Rocks]]
*[[Sgat Beag]]
*[[Sgat Mòr]]
*[[Sgeir Bhuide]]
*[[Sgeir Caillich]]
*[[Sgeir Lag Choan]]
*[[Sgeir Leathann]]
*[[Sgeir Mhaola Cin]]
*[[Sgeir na Dubhaidh]]
*[[Sgeir Port a' Ghuail]]
*[[Sheep Island, Argyll|Sheep Island]]
*[[Thorn Isle]]
{{div col end}}

<gallery mode="packed" class="center">
File:Iainland - towards Rubha nah Airde - geograph.org.uk - 1102840.jpg|Knapdale scenery
File:Mull of Kintyre Lighthouse - geograph.org.uk - 49941.jpg|Mull of Kintyre lighthouse
File:Loch Riddon or Loch Ruel and the Kyles of Bute - geograph.org.uk - 848161.jpg|Loch Riddon
File:Loch Etive.jpg|Loch Etive looking NE from Sron nam Feannag
File:Glencoepanorama.jpg|Glen Coe, with the Three Sisters of Bidean nam Bian
File:Loch Restil - geograph.org.uk - 11726.jpg|Loch Restil
File:Davaarisland1379.jpg|Davaar island
</gallery>

===Inner Hebrides===
Argyll contains the majority of the Inner Hebrides group, with the notable exceptions of [[Skye]] and [[Eigg]] (both in Inverness-shire). The islands are too geographically diverse to be summarised here; further details can be found on the individual pages below.

====List of islands====
{{div col|colwidth=20em}}
*[[Am Fraoch Eilean]]
*[[An Dubh Sgeir]]
*[[An Stèidh]]
*[[Bach Island]]
*[[Balach Rocks]]
*[[Belnahua]]
*[[Bernera Island]]
*[[Brosdale Island]]
*[[Calve Island]]
*[[Canna, Scotland|Canna]]
*[[Cara Island]]
*[[Carraig an Daimh]]
*[[Carsaig Island]]
*[[Coiresa]]
*[[Coll]]
*[[Colonsay]]
*[[Craro Island]]
*[[Island of Danna]]
*[[Dubh Artach]]
*[[Dubh Sgeir]]
*[[Eagamol]]
*[[Eag na Maoile]]
*[[Easdale]]
*[[Eilean a' Chalmain]]
*[[Eilean a' Chùirn]]
*[[Eilean a' Mhadaidh]]
*[[Eilean Àird nan Uan]]
*[[Eilean an Aodaich]]
*[[Eilean an Fhuarain]]
*[[Eileach an Naoimh]]
*[[Eilean Annraidh]]
*[[Eilean an Righ]]
*[[Eilean Arsa]]
*[[Eilean Ascaoineach]]
*[[Eilean Balnagowan]]
*[[Eilean Bàn, Argyll|Eilean Bàn]]
*[[Eilean Bhrìde]]
*[[Eilean Coltair]]
*[[Eilean Craobhach]]
*[[Eilean dà Ghallagain]]
*[[Eilean dà Mhèinn]]
*[[Eilean Dioghlum]]
*[[Eilean Dùin]]
*[[Eilean Fraoich]]
*[[Eilean Gainimh]]
*[[Eilean Garbh]]
*[[Eilean Ghòmain]]
*[[Eilean Ghreasamuill]]
*[[Eilean Imersay]]
*[[Eilean Inshaig]]
*[[Eilean Loain]]
*[[Eilean Loch Oscair]]
*[[Eilean Mhartan]]
*[[Eilean Mhic Chrion]]
*[[Eilean Mhic Coinnich]]
*[[Eilean Mòr]]
*[[Eilean Musdile]]
*[[Eilean na Cloiche]]
*[[Eilean na Cille, Argyll|Eilean na Cille]]
*[[Eilean na Creiche]]
*[[Eilean na h-Eairne]]
*[[Eilean na h-Uamha]]
*[[Eilean na Seamair]]
*[[Eilean nam Ban]]
*[[Eilean nam Muc]]
*[[Eilean nan Caorach]]
*[[Eilean nan Coinean]]
*[[Eilean nan Each]]
*[[Eilean nan Gamhna]]
*[[Eilean Odhar]]
*[[Eilean Ona]]
*[[Eilean Ornsay]]
*[[Eilean Ramsay]]
*[[Eilean Reilean]]
*[[Eilean Righ]]
*[[Eilean Tràighe]]
*[[Eileanan Glasa]]
*[[Eileanan na h-Aoran]]
*[[Eorsa]]
*[[Erisgeir]]
*[[Eriska]]
*[[Erraid]]
*[[Fladda, Slate Islands|Fladda]]
*[[Frenchman's Rocks]]
*[[Gamhna Gigha]]
*[[Gamhnach Mhòr]]
*[[Garbh Rèisa]]
*[[Garbh Sgeir]]
*[[Garvellachs]]
*[[Gigalum Island]]
*[[Gigha]]
*[[Gòdag]]
*[[Gometra]]
*[[Guirasdeal]]
*[[Hàslam]]
*[[Humla, Scotland|Humla]]
*[[Inch Kenneth]]
*[[Inn Island]]
*[[Insh Island]]
*[[Iona]]
*[[Island Macaskin]]
*[[Islay]]
*[[Hough Skerries]]
*[[Hyskeir]] (''in Gaelic, Oigh-Sgeir'')
*[[Jura, Scotland|Jura]]
*[[Kerrera]]
*[[Lady's Rock]]
*[[Liath Sgeir]]
*[[Lismore, Scotland|Lismore]]
*[[Little Colonsay]]
*[[Luing]]
*[[Lunga, Slate Islands|Lunga]]
*[[MacCormaig Isles]]
*[[Maisgeir]]
*[[Muck, Scotland|Muck]]
*[[Na Sgeiran Mòra]]
*[[Nave Island]]
*[[Ormsa]]
*[[Oronsay]]
*[[Orsay, Inner Hebrides|Orsay]]
*[[Rèidh Eilean]]
*[[Rèisa an t-Struith]]
*[[Rèisa Mhic Phaidean]]
*[[Ruadh Sgeir]]
*[[Rùm]]
*[[Samalan Island]]
*[[Sanday, Inner Hebrides|Sanday]]
*[[Scarba]]
*[[Scoul Eilean]]
*[[Seil]]
*[[Sgeir a' Mhàim-àrd]]
*[[Sgeir a' Phuirt]]
*[[Sgeir an Ròin]]
*[[Sgeiran Mòra]]
*[[Sgeir Mhòr]]
*[[Sgeir na Caillich]]
*[[Sgeir nan Gobhar]]
*[[Sgeir nan Sgarbh]]
*[[Sgeir Shealg]]
*[[Sgeir Tràighe]]
*[[Shian Island]]
*[[Shuna (Slate Islands)|Shuna]], Slate Islands
*[[Shuna Island]], Loch Linnhe
*[[Skerryvore]]
*[[Small Isles, Jura|Small Isles]]
*[[Soa, near Colle|Soa]], near Coll
*[[Soa, Tiree|Soa]], Tiree
*[[Soa Island|Soa]], near Mull
*[[Staffa]]
*[[Taynish Island]]
*[[Sùil Ghorm]]
*[[Texa]]
*[[Tiree]]
*[[Torran Rocks]]
*[[Torsa]]
*[[Treshnish Isles]]
*[[Ulva]]
{{div col end}}

<gallery mode="packed" class="center">
File:Calve Island.jpg|Calve Island
File:Iorcail - geograph.org.uk - 761496.jpg|Cliffs at Iorcail on Canna
File:Caraislandaerial.jpg|Cara
File:Eorsa, Loch Na Keal.jpg|Eorsa from Mull
File:Iona Abbey from water.jpg|Iona Abbey
File:Dun Nosebridge.jpg|[[Dun Nosebridge]] on Islay
File:Gylen Castle, Kerrera - geograph.org.uk - 1640107.jpg|[[Gylen Castle]] on Kerrera
File:Rum Ponies - geograph.org.uk - 151595.jpg|Ponies on Rum
File:Waterfall on South Coast of Rum - geograph.org.uk - 41742.jpg|Coastal waterfall on Rum
File:Staffa01.jpg|Basalt columns on Staffa
File:Ulbhabluebells.jpg|Bluebell field on Ulva
</gallery>

== Constituency ==
Starting in 1590, as one of the measures that followed the Scottish reformation, each sheriffdom elected [[Commissioner (Scottish Parliament)|commissioner]]s to the [[Parliament of Scotland]]. As well as the commissioner representing ''Argyll'', at least one was sent to represent Tarbertshire, [[Sir Lachlan Maclean, 1st Baronet|Sir Lachlan Maclean]] of [[Morvern]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rps.ac.uk/trans/1633/6/14 |title=1633, 18 June, Edinburgh, Parliament, 1633/6/14|website=Records of the Parliament of Scotland |access-date=22 February 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |chapter-url=http://dbooks.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/books/PDFs/555089378.pdf#page=548|title=Return of the name of every member of the lower house of parliament of England, Scotland, and Ireland, with name of constituency represented, and date of return, from 1213 to 1874; Part II: Great Britain, United Kingdom, Scotland, Ireland. |series=[[Command paper]]s |volume=C.69-I |date=11 August 1879 |publisher=HMSO |pages=539–556 |chapter=Parliaments of Scotland, 1357–1707}} (shows blank pages in Firefox 73, open in Chrome, or download and open)</ref><ref>{{cite book|last1=Porritt|first1=Edward |last2=Porritt|first2=Annie Gertrude |title=The Unreformed House of Commons |chapter-url=https://archive.org/stream/unreformedhouse01porrgoog#page/n97|volume=2: Scotland and Ireland|date=1903 |publisher=Cambridge University Press|page=78|chapter=Part V: The Scotch Parliamentary System; Chapter XXXV: The Franchise in the Counties}}</ref> In the 1630 parliamentary session, Sir Coll Lamont, [[Clan Lamont|laird of Lamont]], was the commissioner for "Argyll ''and Tarbert''".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rps.ac.uk/trans/A1630/7/1|website=Records of the Parliament of Scotland|title=1630, 28 July, Holyroodhouse, Convention, A1630/7/1|access-date=22 February 2023}}</ref>

There was an [[Argyllshire (UK Parliament constituency)|''Argyllshire'' constituency]] of the [[Parliament of Great Britain]] from 1708 to 1801, and of the [[Parliament of the United Kingdom]] from 1801 to 1983 (renamed ''Argyll'' in 1950). The [[Argyll and Bute (UK Parliament constituency)|Argyll and Bute constituency]] was created when the Argyll constituency was abolished.

==Civil parishes==
Civil parishes are still used for some statistical purposes, and separate census figures are published for them. As their areas have been largely unchanged since the 19th century, this allows for comparison of population figures over an extended period of time.
{{div col|colwidth=25em}}
* [[Ardchattan and Muckairn]]
* [[Ardgour]]
* [[Ardrishaig]]
* [[Ardnamurchan]]
* [[Campbeltown]]
* [[Coll]]
* [[Colonsay]] and [[Oronsay, Inner Hebrides|Oronsay]]
* [[Craignish]]
* [[Dunoon]] and [[Kilmun]]
* [[Gigha]] and [[Cara Island]]
* [[Dunadd|Glassary]] (Kilmichael), [[Kilmartin Glen]]/[[Lochgilphead]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://britishfolklore.com/kilmichael-glassary/|title=Kilmichael Glassary - British Folklore|date=1 December 2023|website=britishfolklore.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/places/kilmartin-glen-kilmichael-glassary-rock-art/history/|title=History|website=www.historicenvironment.scot}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.british-history.ac.uk/topographical-dict/scotland/pp42-61#h3-s7|title=Kilmarnock - Kilspindie &#124; British History Online|website=www.british-history.ac.uk}}</ref>
* [[Glen Orchy]] and [[Inishail]]
* [[Inveraray]] 
* [[Inverchaolain]]
* [[Jura, Scotland|Jura]]
* Kilbrandon and [[Kilchattan Bay|Kilchattan]]
* [[Kilcalmonell]]
* [[Kilchoman]]
* [[Kilchrenan]] and [[Dalavich]]
* [[Kildalton Castle|Kildalton]]
* [[Kilfinan]]
* [[Kilfinichen and Kilvickeon]]
* [[Killarow and Kilmeny, Argyll|Killarow and Kilmeny]]
* Killean and [[Kilchenzie]]
* [[Kilmallie]] (part)
* [[Kilmartin]]
* [[Kilmodan]]
* [[Kilninian and Kilmore]]
* Kilninver and [[Kilmelford]]
* [[Lismore, Scotland|Lismore]] and [[Appin]]
* [[Lochgilphead]]
* [[Lochgoilhead]] and Kilmorich
* [[Morvern]]
* North [[Knapdale]]
* [[Saddell]] and [[Skipness]]
* South [[Knapdale]]
* [[Southend, Argyll|Southend]]
* [[Strachur]]
* [[Strathlachlan]]
* [[Tiree]]
* [[Torosay]]
{{div col end}}

==Settlements==
===Mainland (north)===
[[File:Lochaline from ferry.jpg|thumb|right|Lochaline on Morvern]]
{{div col|colwidth=20em}}
*[[Acharacle]]
*[[Achaphubuil]]
*[[Ardery]]
*[[Ardgour]]
*[[Ardtoe]]
*[[Banavie]]
*[[Blaich]]
*[[Bonnavoulin]]
*[[Caol]]
*[[Clovullin]]
*[[Corpach]]
*[[Corran, Lochaber|Corran]]
*[[Duisky]]
*[[Fassfern]]
*[[Glenborrodale]]
*[[Kentra]]
*[[Kilchoan]]
*[[Kilmory, Ardnamurchan|Kilmory]]
*[[Kinlocheil]]
*[[Laga, Lochaber|Laga]]
*[[Lochaline]]
*[[Melfort, Argyll|Melfort]]
*[[Newton of Ardtoe]]
*[[Ockle]]
*[[Polloch]]
*[[Portuairk]]
*[[Resipole]]
*[[Salen, Ardnamurchan|Salen]]
*[[South Garvan]]
*[[Stronchreggan]]
*[[Strontian]]
*[[Trislaig]]
{{div col end}}

===Mainland (south)===
[[File:Campbeltown seafront.jpg|thumb|right|Campbeltown]]
[[File:Dunoon from above the Firth of Clyde - geograph.org.uk - 1143850.jpg|thumb|right|Dunoon]]
[[File:Inveraray reflections (4941986874).jpg|thumb|right|Inveraray]]
[[File:Leaving Oban Ferry Terminal - geograph.org.uk - 1375171.jpg|thumb|right|Oban]]
{{div col|colwidth=20em}}
*[[Achahoish]]
*[[Achinhoan]]
*[[Achnamara]]
*[[Ardentinny]]
*[[Ardgartan]]
*[[Ardnadam]]
*[[Ardrishaig]]
*[[Ardtaraig]]
*[[Ardulaine]]
*[[Arrochar, Argyll|Arrochar]]
*[[Ballachulish]]
*[[Barcaldine, Argyll|Barcaldine]]
*[[Bellochantuy]]
*[[Benderloch]]
*[[Blairmore, Argyll|Blairmore]]
*[[Cairndow]]
*[[Campbeltown]]
*[[Carradale]]
*[[Carrick Castle (village)|Carrick Castle]]
*[[Clachaig]]
*[[Clachan, Kintyre|Clachan]]
*[[Clachan of Glendaruel]]
*[[Claonaig]]
*[[Colintraive]]
*[[Connel]]
*[[Coylet]]
*[[Craobh Haven]]
*[[Crinan, Argyll and Bute|Crinan]]
*[[Dalavich]]
*[[Dalmally]]
*[[Dippen, Argyll|Dippen]]
*[[Drumlemble]]
*[[Dunbeg]]
*[[Dunoon]]
*[[Duror]]
*[[Ford, Argyll|Ford]]
*[[Furnace, Argyll|Furnace]]
*[[Glenbarr]]
*[[Glenbranter]]
*[[Glen Coe|Glencoe]]
*[[Glendaruel]]
*[[Grogport]]
*[[Hunters Quay]]
*[[Innellan]]
*[[Inveraray]]
*[[Inverchaolain]]
*[[Invercreran]]
*[[Kames, Argyll|Kames]]
*[[Kennacraig]]
*[[Kentallen]]
*[[Kilberry]]
*[[Kilchenzie]]
*[[Kilkerran]]
*[[Kilmanshenachan]]
*[[Kilmelford]]
*[[Kilmore, Argyll|Kilmore]]
*[[Kilmun]]
*[[Kinlochleven]]
*[[Kirn, Argyll|Kirn]]
*[[Knipoch]]
*[[Largiemore]]
*[[Lochgair]]
*[[Lochgilphead]]
*[[Lochgoilhead]]
*[[Machrihanish]]
*[[Millhouse, Argyll|Millhouse]]
*[[Muasdale]]
*[[North Connel]]
*[[Oban]]
*[[Ormsary]]
*[[Otter Ferry]]
*[[Peninver]]
*[[Port Ann]]
*[[Port Appin]]
*[[Portavadie]]
*[[Rashfield]]
*[[St Catherines, Argyll|St Catherines]]
*[[Saddell]]
*[[Sandbank, Argyll|Sandbank]]
*[[Skipness]]
*[[Southend, Argyll|Southend]]
*[[Stewarton, Argyll|Stewarton]]
*[[Strachur]]
*[[Strone]]
*[[Succoth, Argyll|Succoth]]
*[[Tarbert, Kintyre|Tarbert]]
*[[Tayinloan]]
*[[Taynuilt]]
*[[Tayvallich]]
*[[Tighnabruaich]]
*[[Torinturk]]
*[[Torrisdale, Argyll|Torrisdale]]
*[[Tullochgorm]]
*[[Whistlefield, Argyll and Bute|Whistlefield]]
*[[Whitehouse, Argyll|Whitehouse]]
{{div col end}}

===Inner Hebrides===
{{div col|colwidth=20em}}
*[[Ardbeg, Islay|Ardbeg]] (Islay)
*[[Ardfernal]] (Jura)
*[[Ardilistry]] (Islay)
*[[Ardmenish]] (Jura)
*[[Ardtalla]] (Islay)
*[[Ardtun]] (Mull)
*[[Arinagour]] (Coll)
*[[Ballygrant]] (Islay)
*[[Bowmore]] (Islay)
*[[Bridgend, Islay|Bridgend]] (Islay)
*[[Bruichladdich]] (Islay)
*[[Bunessan]] (Mull)
*[[Bunnahabhain]] (Islay)
*[[Calgary, Mull|Calgary]] (Mull)
*[[Craighouse]] (Jura)
*[[Craignure]] (Mull)
*[[Dervaig]] (Mull)
*[[Feolin]] (Jura)
*[[Fionnphort]] (Mull)
*[[Fishnish]] (Mull)
*[[Kilchoman]] (Islay)
*[[Kinloch, Rùm|Kinloch]] (Rùm)
*[[Kintra]] (Mull)
*[[Knockan]] (Mull)
*[[Lagavulin]] (Islay)
*[[Laphroaig]] (Islay)
*[[Lochbuie, Mull|Lochbuie]] (Mull)
*[[Nerabus]] (Islay)
*[[Pennyghael]] (Mull)
*[[Port Askaig]] (Islay)
*[[Port Charlotte, Islay|Port Charlotte]] (Islay)
*[[Port Ellen]] (Islay)
*[[Port Mòr]] (Muck)
*[[Portnahaven]] (Islay)
*[[Port Wemyss]] (Islay)
*[[Salen, Mull|Salen]] (Mull)
*[[Scalasaig]] (Colonsay)
*[[Scarinish]] (Tiree)
*[[Tiroran]] (Mull)
*[[Tobermory, Mull|Tobermory]] (Mull)
*[[Uisken]] (Mull)
*[[Ulva Ferry]] (Mull)
{{div col end}}

<gallery widths="200px" heights="160px">
File:Bowmore Round Church.JPG|Bowmore Round Church, Islay
File:Craighouse from the pier - geograph.org.uk - 755742.jpg|Craighouse, Jura
File:Port Mor, Muck.jpg|Port Mòr, Muck
</gallery>

==Transport==
[[File:Banavie Station (geograph 5324117).jpg|thumb|left|Banavie train station, with [[Ben Nevis]] in the distance]]

The [[West Highland Line|West Highland railway]] runs through the far north of the county, stopping at [[Locheilside railway station|Locheilside]], [[Loch Eil Outward Bound railway station|Loch Eil Outward Bound]], [[Corpach railway station|Corpach]] and [[Banavie railway station|Banavie]], before carrying on to [[Mallaig]] in Inverness-shire. A branch of the line also goes to [[Oban railway station|Oban]], calling at [[Dalmally railway station|Dalmally]], [[Loch Awe railway station|Loch Awe]], [[Falls of Cruachan railway station|Falls of Cruachan]], [[Taynuilt railway station|Taynuilt]] and [[Connel Ferry railway station|Connel Ferry]].

Numerous ferries link the islands of the Inner Hebrides to each other and the Scottish mainland. Many of the islands also contain small airstrips enabling travel by air. A fairly extensive bus network links the larger towns of the area, with bus transport also available on the islands of Islay, Jura and Mull.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/486086/response/1189470/attach/4/Argyll%20Bute%20M%20G.PDF.pdf |title=Argyll & Bute Map and Guide |date=18 May 2018 |access-date= 8 June 2019}}</ref>

The county contains a number of small airports which serve the region and Edinburgh/Glasgow: [[Oban Airport|Oban]], [[Tiree Airport|Tiree]], [[Coll Airport|Coll]], [[Colonsay Airport|Colonsay]], [[Campbeltown Airport|Campbeltown]] and [[Islay Airport|Islay]].

Kintyre has been one of the mooted locations for a proposed [[British Isles fixed sea link connections|British-Irish bridge]]; as the closest point to Ireland at first glance it appears to be the most obvious route, however Kintyre is hampered by its remoteness from the main centres of Scotland's population.

==Residents==
===Clans===
*[[Clan MacTavish]] were a "very ancient and respectable family, who have inherited the estate of Dunardary for upwards of nine hundred years." This places the MacTavish family in Argyll in 893 AD.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://clanmactavish.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/A-Brief-History-of-Clan-MacTavish.pdf |title=The Seannachie’s Brief History of Clan MacTavish|author=Patrick L. Thompson Seannachie to the 27th Chief of the Clan MacTavish}}</ref>
*[[Clan Campbell]] was a powerful clan in this region. The Campbell clan hosted the long line of the [[Duke of Argyll|Dukes of Argyll]].
*[[Clan MacIntyre]] historically held lands in this region and had close ties with Clan Campbell. 
*[[Clan Gregor]] historically held a great deal of lands in this region prior to the proscription of their name in April 1603, the result of a power struggle with the Campbells.
*[[Clan Lamont]] historically both allied and feuded with the Campbell clan, culminating in the [[Dunoon Massacre]]. In the 19th century, the clan chief sold his lands and relocated to Australia, where the current chief lives.
*[[Clan McCorquodale]] held lands around Loch Awe from the early medieval period until the early 18th century. Their seat was a castle on Loch Tromlee.
*[[Clan MacMillan]] held lands in Argyll, notably in knapdale (viz. "MacMillan of Knap")
*[[Clan Malcolm]] Also known as MacCallum. The Malcolm clan seat is [[Duntrune Castle]] on the banks of [[Loch Crinan]]
*[[Clan MacLean]] Historically held lands on the [[Isle of Mull]] with its seat at [[Duart Castle]]
*[[Clan MacLachlan]] historically feuded with the Campbells, and espoused Jacobitism. Held lands on both sides of Loch Fyne, with its seat in [[Strathlachlan]]
*[[Clan MacEwan]] historically feuded with the Campbells, cousins of MacLachlans. Held lands in [[Kilfinan]].

===Other notable residents===
*[[Patrick MacKellar]], (1717–1778), born in Argyll, military engineer, achieved his reputation on projects in the United States of America.<ref name="Marquis 1607-1896">{{cite book | title = Who Was Who in America, Historical Volume, 1607–1896 | publisher = Marquis Who's Who | location = Chicago | year = 1963|url=https://www.worldcat.org/title/39715719|access-date=22 February 2023|oclc= 39715719 }}</ref>
*[[George Robertson, Baron Robertson of Port Ellen]]  (born 12 April 1946, George Islay MacNeill Robertson), British [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour]] politician and tenth Secretary General of the [[NATO|North Atlantic Treaty Organisation]]
*[[Eric Blair]], better known as [[George Orwell]], who resided in the northernmost part of Jura, during the final years of his life (1946–1950). During this period, he wrote [[Nineteen Eighty-Four]].
*[[Karen Matheson]], folk singer, grew up in [[Taynuilt]].
*[[Frances Shand Kydd]] (née Roche; 20 January 1936 – 3 June 2004) was the mother of Diana, Princess of Wales. She was resident at Ardencaple House on the Island of Seil.  She was buried in Pennyfuir Cemetery on the outskirts of Oban.
*[[Mike Lindup]], keyboardist, vocalist and songwriter, noted for being a member of [[Level 42]]

== In fiction ==
* [[Rosemary Sutcliff]]'s novel ''[[The Mark of the Horse Lord]]'' (1965) is set in Earra Gael, i.e. the Coast of the Gael, wherein the Dal Riada undergo an internal struggle for control of royal succession, and an external conflict to defend their frontiers against the [[Caledonians|Caledones]].
* The highlands above the village of [[Lochgilphead]] were used for a scene in the 1963 film ''From Russia with Love,'' starring [[Sean Connery]] as James Bond. He killed two villains in a helicopter by firing gunshots at them.
* The main focus of the song "The Queen of Argyll" is that of a beautiful woman, from Argyll. The song was sung by the band [[Silly Wizard]] and covered by [[Fiddler's Green (band)|Fiddler's Green]] in 2000.
* The 1985 Scottish movie ''[[Restless Natives]]'' used [[Lochgoilhead]] to film a chase scene, as well as some roads just outside the village.
* The housekeeper Elsie Carson in Julian Fellowes' television drama ''[[Downton Abbey]]'' is from Argyll.
*  In Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, after being attacked by Sirius Black, the Fat Lady is found hiding in a map of Argyllshire that is located on the second floor in Hogwarts.
*  In Hogwarts Legacy, there is a map on a wall inside the castle above the first floor of the south wing. Using the revelio spell reveals a page for the field guide saying, "This map depicts Argyllshire, a region in Scotland which contains the ''[[Hebrides]]''  - native home of the Hebrideon dragon."

==See also==

{{columns-list|colwidth=30em|
* [[Shires of Scotland]]
* [[Timeline of prehistoric Scotland]]
* [[Timeline of Scottish history]]
* [[Diocese of Argyll|Medieval Diocese of Argyll]]
* [[Duke of Argyll]]
* [[Argyllshire (UK Parliament constituency)]]
* [[List of counties of Scotland 1890–1975]]
* [[Family tree of Scottish monarchs]]
* [[Argyle pattern]]
}}

== Notes ==
{{notelist}}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== Bibliography ==
* {{cite book|editor-last1=Omand|editor-first1=Donald|year=2006|title=The Argyll Book|place=Edinburgh|publisher=Birlinn|isbn=1-84158-480-0}}.

==Further reading==
* [https://archive.org/details/imperialgazettee01wils/page/78/mode/2up ''The Imperial gazetteer of Scotland''] Vol. I. page 78, by Rev. John Marius Wilson.

==External links==
{{oscoor gbx|NM 98748 11137}}
{{Commons category|Argyll}}

* [https://www.visitscotland.com/places-to-go/argyll-isles/ Visit Scotland, Argyll - Official Webpage]
* [https://wikishire.co.uk/map/#argyllshire/base=outline Map of Argyllshire] on Wikishire
* [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0057076/locations  "Filming locations", ''From Russia with Love'' (1963)], IMDb
* [https://www.heartofargyll.com Visitor information for Inveraray, Tarbert, Knapdale, Crinan and Lochgilphead]
* [https://www.wildaboutargyll.co.uk/ Wild about Argyll - Website]

{{Navboxes
|list=
{{Scottish provinces|major}}
{{Scotland counties}}
{{Argyll Islands}}
}}
{{Portal bar|Scotland|United Kingdom|History}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Argyll}}
[[Category:Argyllshire| ]]
[[Category:History of Argyll and Bute]]
[[Category:Counties of Scotland]]
[[Category:Former counties of Scotland]]
[[Category:Counties of the United Kingdom (1801–1922)]]
[[Category:Strathclyde]]



{{purge}}