View source for Islay

{{Short description|Island of the Inner Hebrides of Scotland}}
{{About|the island in Scotland|other uses}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2021}}
{{good article}}
{{Infobox Scottish island
|location_map=Scotland Argyll and Bute
|coordinates = {{coord|55.77|-6.15|region:GB_type:isle|display=title,inline}}
|caption=Islay shown within Argyll and Bute
|GridReference=NR370598
|Image=Port Ellen, Islay.jpg
|ImageCaption=[[Port Ellen]]
|celtic name=Ìle
|gaelic pronunciation={{IPA|gd|ˈiːlə||Ile.ogg}}
|scots name=Ila<ref>{{cite web | url=https://d3lmsxlb5aor5x.cloudfront.net/library/document/Map_of_Scotland_in_Scots-Guide_and_gazetteer.pdf | title=Map of Scotland in Scots - Guide and gazetteer}}</ref>
|norse name=Íl<ref name=G2487>{{harvnb|Gammeltoft|2007|p=487}}</ref>
|meaning of name=  Unknown
|area=  {{cvt|619.6|sqkm|sqmi|frac=8}}<ref name=HSmith41>{{harvnb|Haswell-Smith|2004|p=41}}</ref>
|area rank=5
|highest elevation= [[Beinn Bheigeir]], {{cvt|491|m|ft|0}}<ref name=HSmith42>{{harvnb|Haswell-Smith|2004|p=42}}</ref>
|Population=3,228<ref name=NRS>{{NRS1C}}</ref>
|population rank=7<ref name=NRS/>
|population density = {{cvt|5.2|PD/km2|PD/sqmi}}<ref name=HSmith41/><ref name=NRS/>
|main settlement=[[Port Ellen]]<ref name=GRO08>{{cite web | author=National Records of Scotland | author-link=National Records of Scotland | website=Scotland's Census 2011 | title=Table KS101SC – Usual Resident Population, all people; Settlement/Locality 2010; Port Ellen | url=http://www.scotlandscensus.gov.uk/ods-analyser/jsf/tableView/tableView.xhtml | archive-url=https://archive.today/20160613183517/http://www.scotlandscensus.gov.uk/ods-analyser/jsf/tableView/tableView.xhtml | url-status=dead | archive-date=13 June 2016 }} From the main page select Results, Standard Outputs, year 2011, table KS101SC,area type locality 2010. On the map click Bowmore and Port Ellen for comparison.</ref>
|island group=[[Inner Hebrides]]
|local authority=[[Argyll and Bute]]
<!--|references=-->
}}
'''Islay''' ({{IPAc-en|audio=islay.ogg|ˈ|aɪ|l|ə}} {{respell|EYE|lə}}; {{langx|gd|Ìle}}, {{langx|sco|Ila}}) is the southernmost island of the [[Inner Hebrides]] of Scotland. Known as "The Queen of the [[Hebrides]]",<ref name=Newton11>{{harvnb|Newton|1995|p=11}}</ref> it lies in [[Argyll and Bute]] just south west of [[Jura, Scotland|Jura]] and around {{convert|40|km|nmi|abbr=off}} north of the Northern Irish coast. The island's capital is [[Bowmore]] where the distinctive round [[Kilarrow Parish Church]] and a distillery are located.<ref name=Newton20>{{harvnb|Newton|1995|p=20}}</ref> [[Port Ellen]] is the main port.<ref>{{harvnb|Newton|1995|p=31}}</ref>

Islay is the fifth-largest Scottish island and the eighth-largest [[List of islands of the British Isles|island of the British Isles]], with a total area of almost {{convert|620|km2|sqmi|-1}}.{{#tag:ref|Haswell-Smith (2004) has a table of Scottish "islands arranged in order of magnitude" that lists Islay as fifth in rank, although this excludes [[Skye]] as it is a bridged island and includes [[South Uist]] as fourth on the grounds that it is connected to other islands such as [[Benbecula]] and [[North Uist]] by causeways that give it a large area.<ref>{{harvnb|Haswell-Smith|2004|p=502}}</ref> Rick Livingstone’s Tables provide all the relevant area data although the information is not ranked.<ref name=Rick>[http://www.argyll-yachtcharters.co.uk/Scottish%20Islands.pdf Rick Livingstone’s Tables of the Islands of Scotland] (pdf) Argyll Yacht Charters. Retrieved 12 December 2011.</ref> Ireland is the largest of the islands surrounding Great Britain and [[Anglesey]] the sixth largest.|group="Note"}} There is ample evidence of the prehistoric settlement of Islay and the first written reference may have come in the first century AD.  The island had become part of the Gaelic Kingdom of [[Dál Riata]] during the [[Scotland in the Early Middle Ages|Early Middle Ages]] before being absorbed into the Norse [[Kingdom of the Isles]].

The later [[medieval]] period marked a "cultural high point" with the transfer of the [[Hebrides]] to the [[Kingdom of Scotland]] and the emergence of the [[Clan Donald]] [[Lord of the Isles|Lordship of the Isles]], originally centred at [[Finlaggan]].<ref>{{harvnb|Caldwell|2011|p=58}}</ref> During the 17th century the power of Clan Donald waned, but improvements to agriculture and transport led to a rising population, which peaked in the mid-19th century.<ref name="HSmith41"/> This was followed by substantial [[Highland Clearances|forced displacements]] and declining resident numbers.

Today, Islay has over 3,000 inhabitants, and the main commercial activities are agriculture, [[Islay whisky|malt whisky distillation]] and tourism. The island has a long history of religious observance, and [[Scottish Gaelic]] is spoken by about a quarter of the population.<ref name=MacT>Mac an Tàilleir, Iain (2004) {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20101207211745/http://www.linguae-celticae.org/dateien/Gaelic_1901-2001.ppt  ''1901–2001 Gaelic in the Census'']}} (PowerPoint) Linguae Celticae. Retrieved 19 September 2012.</ref> Its landscapes have been celebrated through various art forms, and there is a growing interest in [[Renewable energy in Scotland|renewable energy]] in the form of [[wave power]]. Islay is home to many bird species such as the wintering populations of [[Greater white-fronted goose|Greenland white-fronted]] and [[barnacle goose]], and is a popular destination throughout the year for birdwatchers. The climate is mild and ameliorated by the [[Gulf Stream]].

==Name==
[[File:Port Charlotte.jpg|alt=|thumb|[[Port Charlotte, Islay|Port Charlotte]], founded in 1828<ref>{{harvnb|Caldwell|2011|p=91}}</ref>]]
Islay was probably recorded by [[Ptolemy]] as ''Epidion'',<ref name=W37>Watson (1994) p. 37</ref> the use of the "p" suggesting a [[Common Brittonic|Brittonic]] or [[Pictish language|Pictish]] tribal name.<ref>Watson (1994) p. 45</ref> In the 7th century [[Adomnán]] referred to the island as ''Ilea'',<ref name=W85>Watson (1994) p. 85-86</ref> and the name occurs in early Irish records as ''Ile'' and as ''Íl'' in [[Old Norse]]. The root is not Gaelic and is of unknown origin.<ref name=G2487/>{{#tag:ref|Mac an Tàilleir (2003) suggests that "if this is a Gaelic name it may be 'flank shaped'."<ref name=MacanT67>{{harvnb|Mac an Tàilleir|2003|p=67}}</ref>|group="Note"}}

In 17th-century maps, the spelling appears as "Yla" or "Ila", a form still used in the name of the whisky [[Caol Ila]].<ref>[[commons:File:Blaeu - Atlas of Scotland 1654 - ILA INSVLA - The Isle of Ila.jpg|"Atlas of Scotland 1654 – ILA INSVLA – The Isle of Ila"]]. Wikimedia Commons. Retrieved 20 July 2013.</ref><ref>[[commons:File:Blaeu - Atlas of Scotland 1654 - IVRA INSVLA - The Isle of Jura.jpg|"Atlas of Scotland 1654 – IVRA INSVLA – The Isle of Jura"]]. Wikimedia Commons. Retrieved 20 July 2013.</ref> In poetic language, Islay is known as ''Banrìgh Innse Gall'',<ref name=Newton11/> or ''Banrìgh nan Eilean''<ref>[http://www.hial.co.uk/islay-airport/visitors/ "Visitors"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200601181859/http://www.hial.co.uk/islay-airport/visitors/ |date=1 June 2020 }}. Highlands and Islands Airports. Retrieved 22 March 2012.</ref> usually translated as "Queen of the Hebrides"{{#tag:ref|''Banrìgh Innse Gall'' is literally "Queen of the islands of the foreigners" and ''Banrìgh nan Eilean'' means "Queen of the islands".|group="Note"}} and  ''Eilean uaine Ìle'' – the "green isle of Islay"<ref name=MacanT67/> A native of Islay is called an ''Ìleach'', pronounced {{IPA|gd|ˈiːləx|}}.<ref name=MacanT67/>

The obliteration of pre-Norse names is almost total, and placenames on the island are a mixture of Norse and later Gaelic and English influences.<ref>{{harvnb|Jennings|Kruse|2009a|pp=83–84}}</ref><ref>{{harvnb|King|Cotter|2012|p=4}}</ref>

Port Askaig is from the Norse ''ask-vík'', meaning "ash tree bay" and the common suffix ''-bus'' is from the Norse ''bólstaðr'', meaning "farm".<ref>{{harvnb|King|Cotter|2012|p=6}}</ref>

Gaelic names, or their anglicised versions such as Ardnave Point, from ''Àird an Naoimh'' "height of the saint" ,are very common.<ref>{{harvnb|King|Cotter|2012|pp=34,36–43}}</ref>

Several of the villages were developed in the 18th or 19th centuries, and English is a stronger influence in their names as a result. Port Charlotte for example, was named after [[Lady Charlotte Campbell]], daughter of 5th Duke of Argyll and wife of the island's then-owner, Colonel [[John Campbell (1770–1809)|John Campbell]] (1770–1809) of Shawfield and Islay.<ref>{{harvnb|King|Cotter|2012|p=31}}</ref>
{{clear}}

==Geography==
[[File:Islay topographic map-en.svg|thumb|Topographic map]]
Islay is {{convert|40|km|mi}} long from north to south and {{convert|24|km|mi}} broad. The east coast is rugged and mountainous, rising steeply from the [[Sound of Islay]], the highest peak being [[Beinn Bheigier]], which is a [[Marilyn (hill)|Marilyn]] at 1,612 feet (491 m). The western peninsulas are separated from the main bulk of the island by the waters of [[Loch Indaal]] to the south and [[Loch Gruinart]] to the north.<ref>Murray (1966) pp. 22–23</ref> The fertile and windswept southwestern arm is called [[Rinns of Islay|The Rinns]], and [[Ardnave Point]] is a conspicuous promontory on the northwest coast.  The south coast is sheltered from the prevailing winds and, as a result, relatively wooded.<ref name=OS>{{cite map| url=http://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/oswebsite/getamap/| title=Get-a-map: Sheet 60 ''Islay''| publisher=[[Ordnance Survey]]|access-date=18 March 2012}}</ref><ref>Murray (1966) p. 32</ref><ref>{{harvnb|Newton|1995|p=42}}</ref> The [[fractal]] coast has numerous bays and sea lochs, including [[Loch an t-Sailein]], [[Aros Bay]] and [[Claggain Bay]].<ref name=OS/> In the far southwest is a rocky and now largely uninhabited peninsula called [[The Oa]], the closest point in the Hebrides to Ireland.<ref>Murray (1966) p. 30</ref>

The island's population is concentrated mainly in and around the villages of [[Bowmore]] and [[Port Ellen]]. Other smaller villages include [[Bridgend, Islay|Bridgend]], [[Ballygrant]], [[Port Charlotte, Islay|Port Charlotte]], [[Portnahaven]] and [[Port Askaig]]. The rest of the island is sparsely populated and mainly agricultural.<ref name=Caldwellxxv>{{harvnb|Caldwell|2011|p=xxv}}</ref> There are several small freshwater [[loch]]s in the interior including [[Finlaggan|Loch Finlaggan]], Loch Ballygrant, Loch Lossit and Loch Gorm, and numerous [[Stream|burns]] throughout the island, many of which bear the name "river" despite their small size. The most significant of these are the [[River Laggan, Islay|River Laggan]] which discharges into the sea at the north end of Laggan Bay, and the [[River Sorn]] which, draining Loch Finlaggan, enters the head of Loch Indaal at Bridgend.<ref name=OS/>

There are numerous small uninhabited islands around the coasts, the largest of which are [[Eilean Mhic Coinnich]] and [[Orsay, Inner Hebrides|Orsay]] off the Rinns, [[Nave Island]] on the northwest coast, [[Am Fraoch Eilean]] in the Sound of Islay, and [[Texa]] off the south coast.<ref name=OS/>

===Geology and geomorphology===
[[File:Islay Geology.png|thumb|left|Geological map of Islay]]
The underlying geology of Islay is intricate for such a small area.<ref name=HSmith41/> The deformed [[Palaeoproterozoic]] [[igneous rock]] of the [[Rhinns complex]] is dominated by a coarse-grained [[gneiss]] cut by large intrusions of deformed [[gabbro]]. Once thought to be part of the [[Lewisian complex]], it lies beneath the [[Colonsay Group]] of [[Metasediment|metasedimentary rocks]]<ref name="Daly_1991">{{cite journal|author1=J.S. Daly|author2=R.j. Muir|author3= R.A. Cliff|year=1991|title=A precise U-Pb zircon age for the Inishtrahull syenitic gneiss, County Donegal, Ireland|journal=Journal of the Geological Society|volume=148|pages=639–642|url=http://jgs.lyellcollection.org/content/148/4/639.short|access-date=15 September 2012|doi=10.1144/gsjgs.148.4.0639|issue=4|bibcode=1991JGSoc.148..639D|s2cid=129740602|url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref name="Muir_1994">{{cite book|author1=R.J. Muir|author2=W.R. Fitches |author3=A.J. Maltman |author4=M.R. Bentley|title=A Revised Correlation of Precambrian Rocks in the British Isles|editor=Harris A.L. & Gibbons W.|publisher=[[Geological Society]]|location=London|year=1994|edition=2|series=Special Report|volume=22|pages=54–56|chapter=Precambrian rocks of the southern Inner Hebrides—Malin Sea region: Colonsay, west Islay, Inishtrahull and Iona|isbn=9781897799116|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=e07_AvEChXMC&q=inishtrahull+Precambrian+Colonsay+Iona+Muir&pg=PA54|access-date=15 September 2012}}</ref> that forms the bedrock at the northern end of the Rinns. It is a [[quartz]]-rich [[metamorphic rock|metamorphic]] marine sandstone that may be unique to Scotland and which is nearly {{convert|5000|m|ft|abbr=on|sigfig=3}} thick.<ref>{{harvnb|Gillen|2003|p=65}}</ref> South of Rubh' a' Mhail there are outcrops of [[quartzite]], and a strip of [[mica schist]] and [[limestone]] cuts across the centre of the island from The Oa to Port Askaig. Further south is a band of metamorphic quartzite and granites, a continuation of the beds that underlie Jura. The [[geomorphology]] of these last two zones is dominated by a [[Fold (geology)|fold]] known as the Islay Anticline. To the south is a "shattered coastline" formed from mica schist and [[hornblende]].<ref name=HSmith41/><ref>{{harvnb|Haswell-Smith|2004|p=47}}</ref><ref name=NatHist>[http://www.islaynaturalhistory.org/geology/geology.htm "Islay Geology"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121019131326/http://www.islaynaturalhistory.org/geology/geology.htm |date=19 October 2012 }}. Islay Natural History Trust. Retrieved 18 September 2012.</ref> The older [[Bowmore Sandstone Group|Bowmore Group sandstones]] in the west centre of the island are rich in [[feldspar]] and may be of [[Dalradian]] origin.<ref>Strachan, R. A, Smith, M., Harris, A. L., Fettes, D. J. "The Northern Highland and Grampian Terranes" in {{harvnb|Trewin|2002|p=96}}</ref>{{#tag:ref|The Rhinns complex, named after the Islay peninsula which hosts its largest outcrop, is predominantly [[Palaeoproterozoic]] [[syenite|syenitic]] gneiss. It lies [[Unconformity|unconformably]] beneath the Colonsay Group.<ref name="Daly_1991"/>|group="Note"}}
[[File:Rocks near Claddach bay - geograph.org.uk - 565909.jpg|thumb|Rocks of the [[Rhinns complex]] at Claddach Bay on the southernmost tip of the [[Rinns of Islay|Rinns]]]]

Loch Indaal was formed along a branch of the [[Great Glen Fault]] called the Loch Gruinart Fault; its main line passes just to the north of [[Colonsay]]. This separates the limestone, igneous intrusions and Bowmore sandstones from the Colonsay Group rocks of the Rhinns.<ref>{{cite journal| url=http://eprints.gla.ac.uk/225/01/Thomas%5B1%5D.pdf| title=Sr chemostratigraphy of Neoproterozoic Dalradian limestones of Scotland and Ireland: constraints on depositional ages and time scales|author1=Thomas, Christopher W. |author2=Graham, Colin M. |author3=Ellam, Robert M. |author4=Fallick, Anthony E | journal=Journal of the Geological Society|volume=161|pages=229–242| doi=10.1144/0016-764903-001| access-date=22 March 2012}}</ref> The result is occasional minor earth tremors.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.earthquakes.bgs.ac.uk/macroseismics/jura_macro.htm| title=Jura Earthquake 3 May 1998| publisher=[[British Geological Survey]]| access-date=23 January 2008| url-status=dead| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080102095315/http://www.earthquakes.bgs.ac.uk/macroseismics/jura_macro.htm| archive-date=2 January 2008| df=dmy-all}}</ref>

There is a [[Port Askaig Tillite Formation|tillite bed near Port Askaig]] that provides evidence of an [[ice age]] in the [[Precambrian]].<ref name=NatHist/><ref>{{harvnb|Keay|Keay|1994|p=547}}</ref> In comparatively recent times the island was ice-covered during the [[Pleistocene]] glaciations save for Beinn Tart a' Mhill on the Rinns, which was a [[nunatak]] on the edge of the ice sheet.<ref>{{harvnb|Mithen|2006|p=197}}</ref> The complex changes of sea level due to melting ice caps and [[isostasy]] since then have left a series of raised beaches around the coast.<ref name=Caldwellxxv/> Throughout much of late prehistory the low-lying land between the Rinns and the rest of the island was flooded, creating two islands.<ref>{{harvnb|Caldwell|2011|p=4}}</ref>

===Climate===
The influence of the [[Gulf Stream]] keeps the climate mild compared to mainland Scotland. Snow is rarely seen at sea level and frosts are light and short-lived.<ref name=Met>[http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/climate/uk/averages/regmapavge.html#wscotland "Regional mapped climate averages: W Scotland"] {{Webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20120804165705/http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/climate/uk/averages/regmapavge.html#wscotland |date=4 August 2012 }}. Met office. Retrieved 22 March 2012.</ref> However, wind speeds average {{convert|19|to|28|km/h|kn|abbr=off}} annually<ref>[http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/climate/uk/averages/ukmapavge.html "UK mapped climate averages"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101230185431/http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/climate/uk/averages/ukmapavge.html |date=30 December 2010 }}. Met office. Retrieved 16 September 2012.</ref> and winter gales sweep in off the [[Atlantic]], gusting up to {{convert|185|km/h|mph|abbr=on}}.<ref>[http://www.islayjura.com/?page_id=113 "Weather"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120906090541/http://www.islayjura.com/?page_id=113 |date=6 September 2012 }}. Islayjura.com. Retrieved 16 September 2012.</ref> This can make travelling and living on the island during the winter difficult,<ref>{{harvnb|Newton|1995|p=9}}</ref> while ferry and air links to the mainland can suffer delays.  The driest months are April to July and the warmest are May to September, which as a result are the busiest times for tourism.<ref name=Islayweather >{{cite web
| url = http://www.islayinfo.com/weather.html | title =  The 30 year average for Islay | publisher = Islay Info | access-date = 14 February 2008}}</ref><ref>{{harvnb|Newton|1995|p=12}}</ref> Sunshine hours are typically highest around the coasts, especially to the west.<ref name=Met/>

{{Weather box
|location = Islay: Port Ellen climate station (17m elevation) 1981–2010 averages
|collapsed = 
|metric first = y
|single line = y
|Jan high C = 7.8
|Feb high C = 7.6
|Mar high C = 9.1
|Apr high C = 11.0
|May high C = 13.9
|Jun high C = 15.8
|Jul high C = 17.1
|Aug high C = 17.1
|Sep high C = 15.6
|Oct high C = 12.9
|Nov high C = 10.0
|Dec high C = 8.2
|year high C = 12.2
|Jan low C = 2.6
|Feb low C = 2.2
|Mar low C = 3.1
|Apr low C = 4.2
|May low C = 6.4
|Jun low C = 8.9
|Jul low C = 10.9
|Aug low C = 11.0
|Sep low C = 9.6
|Oct low C = 7.5
|Nov low C = 4.9
|Dec low C = 3.0
|year low C = 6.2
|Jan rain mm = 138.2
|Feb rain mm = 98.2
|Mar rain mm = 118.8
|Apr rain mm = 77.9
|May rain mm = 62.4
|Jun rain mm = 73.3
|Jul rain mm = 78.8
|Aug rain mm = 106.7
|Sep rain mm = 114.6
|Oct rain mm = 148.7
|Nov rain mm = 132.3
|Dec rain mm = 132.9
|year rain mm = 1282.7
|unit rain days= 1.0&nbsp;mm
|Jan rain days = 19.9
|Feb rain days = 14.8
|Mar rain days = 17.8
|Apr rain days = 13.3
|May rain days = 11.6
|Jun rain days = 11.4
|Jul rain days = 13.8
|Aug rain days = 15.4
|Sep rain days = 15.5
|Oct rain days = 19.7
|Nov rain days = 19.3
|Dec rain days = 18.6
|year rain days = 191.1
|source 1 = metoffice.gov.uk<ref>{{cite web
  | url=https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/research/climate/maps-and-data/uk-climate-averages/gcgsc8kt2
  | title=Climate Normals 1981–2010
  | publisher=Met Office}}</ref>
}}

==Prehistory==
[[File:Dun Nosebridge.jpg|thumb|300px|[[Dun Nosebridge]] from the south]]
The earliest settlers on Islay were nomadic [[hunter-gatherer]]s who may have first arrived during the [[Mesolithic period]] after the retreat of the [[Pleistocene]] ice caps. A flint [[arrowhead]], which was found in a field near [[Bridgend, Islay|Bridgend]] in 1993 and dates from 10,800 BC, is amongst the earliest evidence of a human presence found so far in Scotland.<ref>{{harvnb|Mithen|2006|pp=197–98}}</ref>{{#tag:ref|At the time this [[Ahrensburg culture|Ahrensburgian]] flint was the oldest find in Scotland<ref>{{harvnb|Moffat|2005|p=42}}</ref> but a subsequent discovery at [[Biggar, South Lanarkshire|Biggar]] predates it by over a millennium.<ref>[http://www.archaeology.co.uk/articles/features/howburn-farm-excavating-scotlands-first-people.htm "Howburn Farm: Excavating Scotland’s first people"] Current Archaeology. Retrieved 21 August 2011.</ref>|group="Note"}} Stone implements of the [[Ahrensburgian culture]] found at Rubha Port an t-Seilich near Port Askaig by foraging pigs in 2015 probably came from a summer camp used by hunters travelling round the coast in boats.<ref>Kennedy, Maev (9 October 2015) [https://www.theguardian.com/science/2015/oct/09/ice-age-stone-tools-found-islay-scotland-pigs "Swine team: pigs help uncover ice age tools on Scottish island"] ''[[The Guardian]]''. London. Retrieved 11 October 2015.</ref><ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-34490129 "Ice Age tools found on Islay thanks to herd of pigs"]. (9 October 2015) [[BBC News]] Retrieved 11 October 2015.</ref> [[Mesolithic]] finds have been dated to 7000 BC using [[radiocarbon dating]] of shells and debris from [[kitchen midden]]s.<ref name="Mesolithic2">Storrie (1997) p. 28</ref><ref name="Mesolithic">{{harvnb|Jupp|1994|p=10}}</ref> By the [[Neolithic]], settlements had become more permanent,<ref name="neolithic">Storrie (1997) p. 29</ref> allowing for the construction of several communal monuments.<ref name="neolithic monuments">{{harvnb|Jupp|1994|p=11}}</ref>

The most spectacular prehistoric structure on the island is [[Dun Nosebridge]]. This {{convert|375|m2|sqft|adj=on}} [[Iron Age]] fort occupies a prominent crag and has commanding views of the surrounding landscape. The name's origin is probably a mixture of Gaelic and Old Norse: ''Dun'' in the former language means "fort" and ''knaus-borg'' in the latter means "fort on the crag".<ref>{{harvnb|Newton|1995|p=26}}</ref> There is no evidence that Islay was ever subject to [[Ancient Rome|Roman]] military control although small numbers of finds such as a coin and a brooch from the third century AD suggest links of some kind with the intermittent [[Scotland during the Roman Empire|Roman presence]] on the mainland.<ref>{{harvnb|Caldwell|2011|p=17}}</ref> The ruins of a [[broch]] at Dùn Bhoraraic south east of Ballygrant and the remains of numerous [[Atlantic roundhouse]]s indicate the influences of northern Scotland, where these forms of building originate.<ref name=Caldwell19/><ref>Armit, Ian "The Iron Age" in Omand (2006) pp. 52–53</ref> There are also various [[crannog]]s on Islay, including sites in Loch Ardnave, Loch Ballygrant and Loch Allallaidh in the south east where a stone causeway leading out to two adjacent islands is visible beneath the surface of the water.<ref name=OS/><ref name=Caldwell19>{{harvnb|Caldwell|2011|pp=137–38}}</ref>

==History==
[[File:Port nan Gallan, on the Mull of Oa, Isle of Islay - geograph.org.uk - 92883.jpg|thumb|left|Port nan Gallan, [[The Oa]], with the shadowy outline of [[Kintyre]] (mainland Scotland) in the far distance]]

===Dál Riata===
By the sixth century AD Islay, along with much of the nearby mainland and adjacent islands, lay within the [[Gaels|Gaelic]] kingdom of [[Dál Riata]] with strong links to Ireland. The widely accepted opinion is that Dál Riata was established by Gaelic migrants from Ulster, displacing a native [[Brittonic languages|Brythonic]] culture (such as the [[Picts]]), but some scholars claim that the Gaels in this part of Scotland were [[Indigenous peoples|indigenous]] to the area.<ref>Woolf (2012) p. 1, referring to [[Ewan Campbell]],
''Saints and Sea-Kings: the First Kingdom of the Scots'', (Edinburgh, 1999) pp. 11–15; "Were the Scots Irish?‟, ''Antiquity'' '''75''' (2001) pp. 285–92.</ref> Dál Riata was divided into a small number of regions, each controlled by a particular kin group; according to the  ''[[Senchus fer n-Alban]]'' ("The History of the Men of Scotland"), it was the [[Cenél nÓengusa]] for Islay and Jura.

In 627, the son of a king of the Irish [[Uí Echach Cobo|Uí Chóelbad]], a branch of the [[Dál nAraidi]] kingdom of Ulster (not to be confused with Dál Riata), was killed on Islay at the unidentified location of Ard-Corann by a warrior in an army led by King [[Connad Cerr]] of the [[Corcu Réti]] (the collective term for the [[Cenél nGabráin]] and [[Cenél Comgaill]], before they split), based at [[Dunadd]].<ref name=Caldwell21>Caldwell (2011) pp. 21–22</ref> The ''Senchus'' also lists what is believed to be the oldest reference to a naval battle in the [[British Isles]]—a brief record of an engagement between rival Dál Riatan groups in 719.<ref>{{harvnb|Rodger|1997|p=5}}</ref>

There is evidence of another kin group on Islay – the Cenél Conchride, supposedly descended from a brother of the legendary founder of Dál Riata, king [[Fergus Mór mac Eirc|Fergus Mór]], but the existence of the Cenél Conchride seems to have been brief and the 430 households of the island are later said to have been comprised from the families of just three great-grandsons of the eponymous founder of Cenél nÓengus: Lugaid, Connal and Galán.<ref name=Caldwell21/>

===Norse influence and the Kingdom of the Isles===
[[File:Standing Stone below Druim an Stuim - geograph.org.uk - 1419965.jpg|thumb|[[Standing stone]] at Carragh Bhan, said to mark the grave of [[Godred Crovan]], [[Kingdom of the Isles|King of the Isles]]<ref name=Campbell89>{{harvnb|Graham-Campbell|Batey|1998|p=89}}</ref> ]]
The ninth-century arrival of Scandinavian settlers on the western seaboard of the mainland had a long-lasting effect, beginning with the destruction of Dál Riata. As is the case in the [[Northern Isles]], the derivation of place names suggests a complete break from the past. Jennings and Kruse conclude that although there were settlements prior to the Norse arrival "''there is no evidence from the [[wikt:onomasticon|onomasticon]] that the inhabitants of these settlements ever existed''".<ref>{{harvnb|Jennings|Kruse|2009b|p=140}}</ref> Gaelic continued to exist as a spoken language in the southern Hebrides throughout the Norse period, but the [[toponymy|place name evidence]] suggests it had a lowly status, possibly indicating an enslaved population.<ref>{{harvnb|Jennings|Kruse|2009a|p=86}}</ref>

Consolidating their gains, the [[norsemen|Norse]] settlers established the [[Kingdom of the Isles]], which became [[Scandinavian Scotland|part of the crown of Norway]] following Norwegian unification. To Norway, the islands became known as ''Suðreyjar'' (Old Norse, traditionally anglicised as ''Sodor'', or ''Sudreys''), meaning ''southern isles''. For the next four centuries and more this Kingdom was under the control of rulers of mostly Norse origin.

[[Godred Crovan]] was one of the most significant of the [[List of rulers of the Kingdom of the Isles|rulers]] of this [[thalassocracy|sea kingdom]]. Though his origins are obscure, it is known that Godred was a [[Norse-Gael]], with a connection to Islay.  The ''[[Chronicles of Mann]]'' call Godred the son of Harald the Black of Ysland, (his place or origin variously interpreted as Islay, Ireland or [[Iceland]]) and state he "so tamed the Scots that no one who built a ship or boat dared use more than three iron bolts".<ref name=Duffy04>{{harvnb|Duffy|2004|loc=Godred Crovan (d. 1095)}}</ref><ref>{{harvnb|MacDonald|2007|p=62}}</ref>

Godred also became [[Kings of Dublin|King of Dublin]] at an unknown date, although in 1094 he was driven out of the city by [[Muircheartach Ua Briain]], later known as [[High King of Ireland]], according to the ''[[Annals of the Four Masters]]''. He died on Islay "''of pestilence''", during the following year.<ref name=Duffy04/><ref name=D108>{{harvnb|Duffy|1992|p=108}}</ref><ref name=Woolf0513>Woolf (2005) p. 13</ref> A local tradition suggests that a [[standing stone]] at Carragh Bhan near Kintra marks Godred Crovan's grave.<ref name=Campbell89/><ref>{{citation |url=http://canmore.rcahms.gov.uk/en/site/37610/details/islay+carragh+bhan/ |title=Islay, Carragh Bhan |publisher=[[Canmore (database)|Canmore]] |access-date=1 August 2013 }}</ref> A genuine 11th-century Norse grave-slab was found at Dóid Mhàiri in 1838, although it was not associated with a burial. The slab is decorated with foliage in the style of [[Ringerike Style|Ringerike]] Viking art and an Irish-style cross, the former being unique in [[Scandinavian Scotland]].<ref name=Campbell89/>

Following Godred's death, the local population resisted Norway's choice of replacement, causing [[Magnus Barefoot|Magnus, the Norwegian king]], to launch a military campaign to assert his authority. In 1098, under pressure from Magnus, [[Edgar of Scotland|the king of Scotland]] [[quitclaim]]ed to Magnus all sovereign authority over the isles.

====Somerled====
[[File:ClaigCastle1.jpg|thumb|The remains of Claig Castle, a vital stronghold of Somerled]]
In the mid 12th century, a granddaughter of Godred Crovan's married the ambitious [[Somerled]], a [[Norse-Gaelic]] Argyle nobleman. [[Godred Olafsson]], grandson of Godred Crovan, was an increasingly unpopular King of the Isles at the time, spurring Somerled into action. The two fought the [[Battle of Epiphany]] in the seas off Islay in January 1156.{{#tag:ref|Various locations have been suggested for the battle, including west of the Rinns and north of Rubh' a' Mhail. Marsden (2008) concludes that a location at the north end of the Sound of Islay is most likely.<ref name=Marsden84>Marsden (2008) p. 84</ref>|group="Note"}} The result was a bloody [[stalemate]], and the island kingdom was temporarily divided, with Somerled taking control of the southern Hebrides. Two years later Somerled completely ousted Godred Olafsson and re-united the kingdom.

Somerled built the sea fortress of [[Claig Castle]] on an island between Islay and Jura, to establish control of the [[Sound of Islay]]. On account of the [[Gulf of Corryvreckan|Corryvreckan]] whirlpool to the north of Jura, the Sound was the main safe sea route between the mainland and the rest of the Hebrides; Claig Castle essentially gave Somerled control of sea traffic. Following Somerled's 1164 death, the realm was divided between Godred's heirs, and Somerled's sons,<ref name=Marsden84/><ref>Caldwell (2011) p. 31</ref><ref name=G917>{{harvnb|Gregory|1881|pp=9–17}}</ref> [[Clann Somhairle|whose descendants]] continued to describe themselves as ''King of the Sudreys'' until the 13th century. Somerled's grandson, [[Domhnall mac Raghnaill|Donald]] received Islay, along with Claig Castle, and the adjacent part of Jura as far north as [[Loch Tarbert, Jura|Loch Tarbert]].

Nominal Norwegian authority had been re-established after Somerled's death, but by the mid 13th century, increased tension between Norway and Scotland led to a series of battles, culminating in the [[Battle of Largs]], shortly after which [[Haakon IV of Norway|the Norwegian king]] died. In 1266, his more peaceable successor ceded his nominal authority over Suðreyjar to the Scottish king ([[Alexander III of Scotland|Alexander III]]) by the [[Treaty of Perth]], in return for a very large sum of money.<ref>{{Harvnb|Hunter|2000|pp=110–111}}</ref><ref>Woolf, Alex  "The Age of the Sea-Kings: 900–1300" in Omand (2006) pp. 108–09</ref> Alexander generally acknowledged the semi-independent authority of Somerled's heirs; the former Suðreyjar had become a Scottish crown dependency, rather than part of Scotland.

===Scottish rule===

====Lords of the Isles====
[[File:Amie mac Ruari.jpg|thumb|350px|left|The descent of [[Amy of Garmoran|Amie Macruari]] and [[John of Islay, Lord of the Isles|John of Islay]] from [[Somerled]]]]

By this point, Somerled's descendants had formed into three families – the heirs of Donald (the [[Clan Donald|MacDonalds]], led by [[Aonghas Óg of Islay|Aonghas Óg MacDonald]]), those of [[Ruaidhrí mac Raghnaill|Donald's brother]] (the [[Clann Ruaidhrí|Macruari]], led by Ruaidhri mac Ailein), and those of [[Dubgall mac Somairle|Donald's uncle]] (the [[Clan MacDougall|MacDougalls]], led by [[Alexander of Argyll|Alexander MacDougall]]). At the end of the 13th century, when king [[John Balliol]] was challenged for the throne by [[Robert I of Scotland|Robert the Bruce]], the MacDougalls backed Balliol, while the Macruari and MacDonalds backed Robert. When Robert won, he declared the MacDougall lands forfeit, and distributed them between the MacDonalds and Macruari (the latter already owning much of [[Lorne, Scotland|Lorne]], [[Uist]], parts of [[Lochaber]], and [[Garmoran]]).<ref name=Gregory24>{{harvnb|Gregory|1881|p=24}}</ref>

The Macruari territories were eventually inherited by [[Amy of Garmoran]].,<ref>{{harvnb|Gregory|1881|pp=26–27}}</ref><ref>{{harvnb|Lee|1920|p=82}}</ref><ref name=O124/> who married her MacDonald cousin [[John of Islay, Lord of the Isles|John of Islay]] in the 1330s;<ref name=H127/> having succeeded Aonghus Óg as head of the MacDonalds, he now controlled significant stretches of the western seaboard of Scotland from [[Morvern]] to [[Loch Hourn]], and the whole of the Hebrides save for [[Skye]] (which Robert had given to [[Hugh of Ross]] instead).<ref name=O124>Oram, Richard "The Lordship of the Isles, 1336–1545" in Omand (2006) pp. 124–26</ref> From 1336 onwards John began to style himself ''Dominus Insularum''—"[[Lord of the Isles]]", a title that implied a connection to the earlier Kings of the Isles and by extension a degree of independence from the Scottish crown;<ref name=O124/><ref name=H127>{{harvnb|Hunter|2000|p=127}}</ref><ref>Oram, Richard "The Lordship of the Isles, 1336–1545" in Omand (2006) p. 123</ref> this honorific was claimed by his heirs for several generations.<ref name=Caldwell38>Caldwell (2011) p. 38</ref> The MacDonalds had thus achieved command of a strong semi-independent maritime realm, and considered themselves equals of the kings of Scotland, Norway, and England.<ref name="finlaggan">Casey, Dan: Finlaggan and the Lordship [http://www.islayinfo.com/finlaggan_clan_donald.html IslayInfo.com] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101028140938/http://www.islayinfo.com/finlaggan_clan_donald.html |date=28 October 2010 }} Retrieved 5 October 2010.</ref>

[[File:Finlaggan - Eilean Mór from the north 20120411.jpg|thumb|The ruins of Finlaggan castle, traditional capital of the Lordship of the Isles]]
Initially, their power base was on the shores of [[Loch Finlaggan]] in northeastern Islay, near the present-day village of [[Caol Ila]]. Successive chiefs of Clan Donald were proclaimed Lord of the Isles there, upon an ancient seven-foot-square coronation stone bearing footprint impressions in which the new ruler stood barefoot and was anointed by the [[Bishop of Argyll]] and seven priests.<ref name="Bord1976">Bord, Janet & Colin (1976). ''The Secret Country''. London: Paul Elek. {{ISBN|0-236-40048-7}}; pp. 66–67</ref> The Lord's advisory "''Council of the Isles''" met on Eilean na Comhairle{{#tag:ref|Loch Finlaggan has two main islands. Eilean Mòr was probably an early Christian centre and was fortified in the 13th and 14th centuries.<ref>Caldwell (2011) p. 169</ref><ref>Caldwell (2011) p. 20</ref>|group="Note"}} (''Council Island''), in [[Loch Finlaggan]] on Islay, within a timber framed [[crannog]] that had originally been constructed in the first century BC.

The [[Islay Charter]], a record of lands granted to an Islay resident in 1408, Brian Vicar MacKay, by [[Domhnall of Islay, Lord of the Isles]], is one of the earliest records of [[Scottish Gaelic|Gaelic]] in public use, and is a significant historical document.<ref>{{cite news| work=[[The Herald (Glasgow)|The Herald]]| url=http://www.heraldscotland.com/gaelic-documents-may-return-north-1.857694| title=Gaelic documents may return north| author=David Ross| date=10 May 2007| access-date=23 January 2008}}</ref> In 1437, the Lordship was substantially expanded when [[Alexander of Islay, Earl of Ross|Alexander, the Lord of the Isles]], inherited the rule of Ross maternally; this included Skye. The expansion of MacDonald control caused the "''heart of the Lordship''" to move to the twin castles of [[Aros Castle|Aros]] and [[Ardtornish Castle|Ardtornish]], in the [[Sound of Mull]].<ref>Oram, Richard "The Lordship of the Isles, 1336–1545" in Omand (2006) p. 132</ref>

[[File:Another view of Dunyvaig Castle - geograph.org.uk - 865592.jpg|thumb|The ruins of [[Dunnyvaig Castle]], a [[Clan MacDonald of Dunnyveg|MacDonald]] stronghold in the 16th century]]
In 1462, the last and most ambitious of the Lords, [[John MacDonald II]], struck an alliance with [[Edward IV of England]] under terms of the [[Treaty of Ardtornish-Westminster]] with the goal of conquering Scotland.  The onset of the [[Wars of the Roses]] prevented the treaty from being discovered by Scottish agents, and Edward from fulfilling his obligations as an ally. A decade later, in 1475, it had come to the attention of the Scottish court, but calls for forfeiture of the Lordship were calmed when John quitclaimed his mainland territories, and Skye. However, ambition wasn't given up so easily, and John's nephew launched a severe [[raid on Ross]], but it ultimately failed. Within 2 years of the raid, in 1493, MacDonald was compelled to forfeit his estates and titles to [[James IV of Scotland]]; by this forfeiture, the lands became part of Scotland, rather than a crown dependency.

James ordered Finlaggan demolished, its buildings razed, and the coronation stone destroyed, to discourage any attempts at restoration of the Lordship.<ref>Caldwell (2011) p. 59</ref><ref>Caldwell, David (April 1996) [http://www.britarch.ac.uk/ba/ba13/BA13FEAT.HTML "Urbane savages of the Western Isles"]. ''British Archaeology''. No 13. Retrieved 26 April 2012.</ref>{{#tag:ref|While the Lordship itself did not survive, the title did; today, the heir to the British throne, who is known as the [[Prince of Wales]] in all other parts of the [[British Commonwealth]], bears the title Lord of the Isles within Scotland.<ref>Dunbar, J.  (1981) ''The Lordship of the Isles in The Middle Ages in the Highlands''. Inverness Field Club. {{ISBN|978-0-9502612-1-8}}</ref>|group="Note"}} When [[Martin Martin]] visited Islay in the late 17th century he recorded a description of the coronations Finlaggan had once seen.{{#tag:ref|Martin wrote of the "isle Finlagan", that it is "famous for being once the court in which the great Macdonald, King of the Isles, had his residence; his houses, chapel, etc., are now ruinous. His guards de corps, called Lucht-taeh, kept guard on the lake side nearest to the isle; the walls of their houses are still to be seen there. The High Court of Judicature, consisting of fourteen, sat always here; and there was an appeal to them from all the Courts in the isles: the eleventh share of the sum in debate was due to the principal judge. There was a big stone of seven feet square, in which there was a deep impression made to receive the feet of Macdonald; for he was crowned King of the Isles standing in this stone, and swore that he would continue his vassals in the possession of their lands, and do exact justice to all his subjects: and then his father’s sword was put into his hand. The Bishop of Argyll and seven priests anointed him king, in presence of all the heads of the tribes in the isles and continent, and were his vassals; at which time the orator rehearsed a catalogue of his ancestors, etc."<ref>{{harvnb|Martin|1703|p=240|loc=Jurah}}</ref>|group="Note"}}. John was exiled from his former lands, and his former subjects now considered themselves to have no superior except the king. A charter was soon sent from [[James IV of Scotland|the Scottish King]] confirming this state of affairs; it declares that Skye and the Outer Hebrides are to be considered independent from the rest of the former Lordship, leaving only Islay and Jura remaining in the comital unit.

====16th and 17th centuries====
[[File:IslayHouse.jpg|thumb|[[Islay House]]]]
[[James V of Scotland|James V]] sent gunners to garrison forts in Islay in 1540.<ref>James Balfour Paul, ''Accounts of the Treasurer of Scotland'', vol. 7 (Edinburgh, 1907), p. 328.</ref> Initially dispossessed in the wake of royal opposition to the Lordship, [[Clan MacDonald of Dunnyveg]]'s holdings in Islay were restored in 1545.<ref>{{harvnb|Caldwell|2011|p=61}}</ref> The [[Maclean|MacLean]] family had been granted land in Jura in 1390, by the MacDonalds, and in 1493 had thus been seen as the natural replacement for them, leading to [[Maclean of Duart|a branch of the MacLeans]] being granted [[Dunyvaig Castle]] by king James, and expanding into Islay. Naturally, the restoration of the MacDonalds created some hostility with the MacLeans; in 1549, after observing that Islay was fertile, fruitful, and full of natural pastures, with good hunting and plentiful salmon and seals, [[Donald Monro (Dean)|Dean Monro]] describes Dunyvaig, and [[Loch Gorm Castle]] "''now usurped be M’Gillayne of [[Duart Castle|Doward]]''".<ref name=Munro55>{{harvnb|Monro|1774|pp=12–13|loc=55. Ila}}</ref>{{#tag:ref|With regard to the castles of Islay Monro wrote: "In this iyle there is strenths castells; the first is callit Dunowaik, biggit on ane craig at the sea side, on the southeist part of the countery pertaining to the Clandonald of Kintyre; second is callit the castle of Lochgurne, quhilk is biggit ill ane iyle within the said fresche water loche far fra land, pertaining of auld to the Clandonald of Kintyre, now usurped be M’Gillayne of Doward. Ellan Forlagan, in the middle of Ila, ane faire iyle in fresche water.<ref name=Munro55/>|group="Note"}}. The dispute continued for decades, and in 1578 the Macleans were expelled from Loch Gorm by force, and in 1598 their branch was finally defeated at the [[Battle of Traigh Ghruinneart]].

However, when [[Sorley Boy MacDonnell]] (of the Islay MacDonalds) had a clash with the Irish branch of the Macleans, and the unpopularity of the MacDonalds in [[Edinburgh]] (where their use of Gaelic was regarded as barbaric), weakened their grip on their southern Hebridean possessions. In 1608, Coupled with MacDonald hostility to the [[Scottish reformation]], this led the [[James VI and I|Scottish-English crown]] to mount an expedition to subdue them. In 1614 the crown handed Islay to Sir John [[Clan Campbell of Cawdor|Campbell of Cawdor]], in return for an undertaking to pacify it;<ref>{{harvnb|Caldwell|2011|pp=62–64}}</ref><ref>{{harvnb|Haswell-Smith|2004|pp=42–43}}</ref> this the Campbells eventually achieved. Under Campbell influence, [[sheriffdom|shrieval]] authority was established under the [[Argyllshire|sheriff of Argyll]]. With inherited Campbell control of the sheriffdom, [[regality|comital authority]] was relatively superfluous, and the provincial identity ([[medieval Latin]]: ''provincia'') of Islay-Jura faded away.

The situation was soon complicated by the [[Scotland in the Wars of the Three Kingdoms|Civil War]], when [[Archibald Campbell, 8th Earl of Argyll|Archibald]], the head of the most powerful branch of the Campbells, was the de facto head of [[Covenanter]] government, while other branches (and even [[Archibald Campbell, 9th Earl of Argyll|Archibald's son]]) were committed [[Cavalier|Royalists]]. A [[Covenanter]] army under [[David Leslie, Lord Newark|Sir David Leslie]] arrived on Islay in 1647, and besieged the royalist garrison at Dunnyvaig, laying waste to the island.<ref>{{harvnb|Caldwell|2011|p=68}}</ref> It was not until 1677 that the Campbells felt sufficiently at ease to construct [[Islay House]] at Bridgend to be their principal, and unfortified, island residence.<ref>{{harvnb|Caldwell|2011|pp=66,74}}</ref>{{#tag:ref|The structure was built for Sir Hugh Campbell of Cawdor and is now used as a hotel.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.islayhouse.co.uk/|title=Islay House &#124; Hotel Accommodation &#124; Isle of Islay, Scotland|website=islayhouse}}</ref> It is a [[List of Category A listed buildings in Argyll and Bute|Category A listed building]].<ref>{{Historic Environment Scotland|num=LB12142|desc=Islay House|cat=A|access-date=28 March 2019}}</ref>|group="Note"}}

[[Martin Martin]] recorded that Sir Hugh Campbell of Caddell was the king's steward of Islay in the late seventeenth century.<ref>Martin, Martin (2018), ''A Description of the Western Islands of Scotland circa 1695 and A Late Voyage to St Kilda'', Birlinn Limited, Edinburgh, p. 163, {{isbn|9781780275468}}</ref>

===British era===
====18th and 19th centuries====
[[File:Cottage on Islay (18thC).JPG|thumb|A cottage on Islay from [[Thomas Pennant]]'s ''A Tour in Scotland and Voyage to the Hebrides'', published in 1774.]]
At the beginning of the 18th century much of the population of Argyll was to be found dispersed in small clachans of farming families<ref>Morrison, Alex "Rural Settlement: an Archaeological Viewpoint" in Omand (2006) p. 110</ref> and only two villages of any size, Killarow near Bridgend and Lagavulin, existed on Islay at the time.<ref name=Caldwell75>{{harvnb|Caldwell|2011|pp=75–76}}</ref> (Killarow had a church and [[tolbooth]] and houses for merchants and craft workers but was razed in the 1760s to "improve" the grounds of Islay House.)<ref name=Caldwell75/> The agricultural economy was dependent on arable farming including staples such as barley and oats supplemented with stock-rearing. The carrying capacity of the island was recorded at over 6,600 cows and 2,200 horses in a 1722 rental listing.<ref>{{harvnb|Caldwell|2011|p=70}}</ref>

In 1726 Islay was purchased by [[John Campbell of Mamore]] using compensation from [[Glasgow]] Town Council (£9000) for damages during the [[Malt tax riots]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://digital.nls.uk/directories/browse/archive/85271967|title = (14) - Towns > Glasgow > 1787 - Reprint of Jones's directory; or, Useful pocket companion for the year 1787 - Scottish Directories - National Library of Scotland}}</ref> When he died in 1729 the island passed to his son, Daniel Campbell of [[Shawfield]].<ref>[[s:Campbell, Daniel (1671?-1753) (DNB00)|"Campbell, Daniel (1671?–1753)"]] Dictionary of National Biography (1904). Retrieved 19 April 2012.</ref><ref name=Caldwell79>{{harvnb|Caldwell|2011|p=79}}</ref> Following the [[Jacobite risings|Jacobite]] insurrections of 1745–6, the [[Heritable Jurisdictions (Scotland) Act 1746|Heritable Jurisdictions Act 1746]] abolished comital authority, and the Campbell's control of the sheriffdom; thereafter they could now only assert their influence in their role as Landlords.

A defining aspect of 19th-century Argyll was the gradual improvement of transport infrastructure.<ref>Duncan, P. J. "The Industries of Argyll: Tradition and Improvement" in Omand (2006) p. 151</ref> Roads were built, the [[Crinan canal]] shortened the sea distance to [[Glasgow]] and the numerous traditional ferry crossings were augmented by new quays. Rubble piers were built at several locations on Islay and a new harbour was constructed at Port Askaig.<ref>Duncan, P. J. "The Industries of Argyll: Tradition and Improvement" in Omand (2006) pp. 152–4</ref> Initially, a sense of optimism in the fishing and cattle trades prevailed and the population expanded, partly as a result of the 18th-century [[kelp]] boom and the introduction of the potato as a staple.<ref>Duncan, P. J. "The Industries of Argyll: Tradition and Improvement" in Omand (2006) pp. 156–57</ref> The population of the island had been estimated at 5,344 in 1755 and grew to over 15,000 by 1841.

Islay remained with the Campbells of Shawfield until 1853 when it was sold to [[James Morrison (businessman)|James Morrison]] of [[Berkshire]], ancestor of the third [[Baron Margadale]], who still owns a substantial portion of the island.<ref name=Caldwell79/> The sundering of the relationship between the landowners and the island's residents proved consequential. When the estate owners realised they could make more money from sheep farming than from the indigenous small farmers, wholesale [[Highland Clearances|Clearances]] became commonplace. Four hundred people emigrated from Islay in 1863 alone, some for purely economic reasons, but many others having been forced off the land their predecessors had farmed for centuries. In 1891 the census recorded only 7,375 citizens, with many evictees making new homes in Canada, the United States and elsewhere. The population continued to decline for much of the 20th century and today is about 3,500.<ref name=HSmith41/><ref>[http://www.islayinfo.com/islay_clearances.html "The Clearances on Islay in the 1800s"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120528194211/http://www.islayinfo.com/islay_clearances.html |date=28 May 2012 }} IslayInfo. Retrieved 20 April 2012.</ref><ref>[http://www.cranntara.org.uk/clear.htm "Highland Clearances"]. Cranntara. Retrieved 20 April 2012.</ref>

In 1899, counties were formally created, on shrieval boundaries, by [[Local Government (Scotland) Act 1889|a Scottish Local Government Act]]; Islay therefore became part of the [[Argyllshire|County of Argyll]].

====World wars====
[[File:American Monument, Mull of Oa - geograph.org.uk - 592728.jpg|thumb|left|The American Monument on the [[The Oa|Mull of Oa]] commemorates the sinking of two troop ships during [[World War I]].]]
During [[World War I]] two troop ships foundered off Islay within a few months of each other in 1918.<ref name="bbc2018">{{cite news|last1=Campbell|first1=Glenn|title=The Scottish island that buried America's dead|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-43948079|access-date=1 May 2018|work=BBC News|date=1 May 2018}}</ref> The [[SS Tuscania (1914)|SS ''Tuscania'']], a converted British liner carrying American [[Doughboys]] to France, was torpedoed by {{SMS|UB-77|sub=y}} on 5 February with the loss of over 160 lives and now lies in deep water {{convert|6.4|km|mi|0|abbr=on}} west of the Mull of Oa.<ref>{{harvnb|Baird|1995|pp=57–58}}</ref> On 6 October {{HMS|Otranto}} was involved in a collision with HMS ''Kashmir'' in heavy seas while similarly transporting American Doughboys from [[New York Harbor]]. ''Otranto'' lost steering and drifted towards the west coast of the Rinns. Answering her SOS the [[Yarrow M class destroyer|destroyer]] [[HMS Mounsey (1915)|HMS ''Mounsey'']] attempted to come alongside and managed to rescue over 350 men. Nonetheless, the ''Otranto'' was wrecked on the shore near [[Machir Bay]] with a total loss of 431 lives.<ref>{{harvnb|Baird|1995|pp=80–83}}</ref> A monument was erected on the coast of The Oa by the [[American Red Cross]] to commemorate the sinking of these two ships.<ref>[http://www.islayinfo.com/islay_oa_peninsula.html "The Oa Peninsula"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210820123612/https://www.islayinfo.com/islay_oa_peninsula.html |date=20 August 2021 }}. IslayInfo. Retrieved 21 April 2012.</ref> A military cemetery was created at Kilchoman where the dead from both nations in the latter disaster were buried (all but one of the American bodies were later exhumed and returned home).<ref name="bbc2018"/><ref>[http://www.cwgc.org/find-a-cemetery/2079022/KILCHOMAN%20MILITARY%20CEMETERY,%20ISLE%20OF%20ISLAY] CWGC Cemetery report, Kilchoman Military Cemetery.</ref>

During [[World War II]], the [[Royal Air Force|RAF]] built an airfield at [[Islay Airport|Glenegedale]] which later became the civil [[EGPI|airport]] for Islay. There was also an [[RAF Coastal Command]] [[flying boat]] base at [[Bowmore]] from 13 March 1941 using Loch Indaal.<ref>[http://www.rafcommands.com/Coastal/119C.html "No 119 Squadron RAF"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070311200931/http://www.rafcommands.com/Coastal/119C.html |date=11 March 2007 }}. RAF Commands. Retrieved 23 January 2008.</ref> In 1944 an [[No. 422 Squadron RCAF|RCAF 422 Squadron]] [[Short Sunderland|Sunderland flying boat's]] crew were rescued after their aircraft landed off Bowmore but broke from her moorings in a gale and sank.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.castlearchdale.net/id22.html| title=422 Faces|publisher=Castle Archdale, Northern Ireland Coastal Command| access-date=21 April 2012}}</ref> There was an RAF [[Chain Home]] radar station at Saligo Bay and RAF [[Chain Home Low]] station at Kilchiaran.<ref>[http://www.scotlandsplaces.gov.uk/search_item/index.php?service=RCAHMS&id=141169 "Islay, Saligo, Chain Home and Type 7000 Chain Radar Station"]. Scotland's Places. Retrieved 21 April 2012.</ref><ref>[http://canmore.rcahms.gov.uk/en/site/204701/contribution/islay+kilchiaran+radar+station/FNL5959540566/ "Islay, Kilchirian, Radar Station"]. Canmore. Retrieved 21 April 2012.</ref>

==Economy==
The mainstays of the modern Islay economy are agriculture, fishing, [[Distillation|distilling]], and tourism.<ref name=Caldwell95>Caldwell (2011) p. 95</ref>

===Agriculture and fishing===
[[File:Portaskaig.jpg|thumb|Looking over to the [[Paps of Jura]] from [[Port Askaig]]]]
Much of Islay remains owned by a few non-resident estate owners; sheep farming and the few dairy cattle herds are run by tenant farmers.<ref name=Caldwell95/> The island's web site indicates that some cultivation is also being done while some areas of high moorlands include estates for shooting deer. Some bogs are cut for fuel used by a few distilleries and some homeowners. The southeast and eastern areas of Islay also have some plantations growing coniferous trees.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.islayinfo.com/facts.html|title=Islay Facts and Figures - An overview of the island|website=www.islayinfo.com}}</ref>

Islay has some fine wild [[brown trout]] and [[Atlantic salmon|salmon]] fishing<ref>[http://www.islayinfo.com/islay_fishing.html "Fishing on Islay – Where to catch Brown Trout"]. IslayInfo. Retrieved 13 April 2012.</ref> and in September 2003 the European Fishing Competition was held on five of the island's numerous lochs; this was "the biggest fishing event ever to be held in Scotland".<ref name=Fishing>[http://www.fishing-argyll.co.uk/isle-of-islay.html "Isle of Islay"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111016213051/http://fishing-argyll.co.uk/isle-of-islay.html |date=16 October 2011 }} Fishing-Argyll. Retrieved 13 April 2012.</ref> Sea [[angling]] is also popular, especially off the west coast and over the many [[shipwreck]]s around the coast.<ref name=Fishing/> There are about 20 commercial boats with crab, [[lobster]] and [[scallop]] fishing undertaken from Port Askaig, Port Ellen and Portnahaven.<ref>{{harvnb|Newton|1995|p=82}}</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20091226112709/http://www.islayinfo.com/islay-sea-geography-history.html "Islay and the Sea – Geography and History"]. IslayInfo. Retrieved 13 April 2012.</ref>

===Distilling===
{{main|Islay whisky}}
[[File:Distilleries Islay updated 2011.png|thumb|left|Islay's distilleries]]
Islay is one of five [[Scotch whisky|whisky]] distilling localities and regions in Scotland whose identities are protected by law.<ref>[http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2009/2890/contents/made "The Scotch Whisky Regulations 2009"]. The National Archives. Retrieved 22 April 2012.</ref> There are nine active distilleries and one inactive, with plans to begin construction on an eleventh.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Islay's 11th Whisky Distillery Gets the Green Light {{!}} WhiskyCast|url=https://whiskycast.com/islays-11th-whisky-distillery-gets-the-green-light/|access-date=8 March 2021|website=whiskycast.com|date=9 February 2021 }}</ref> This industry is the island's second largest employer after agriculture.<ref>{{harvnb|Newton|1995|p=32}}</ref><ref>[http://www.scotch-whisky.org.uk/understanding-scotch/whisky-regions-tours/ "Whisky Regions & Tours"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180726201832/http://www.scotch-whisky.org.uk/understanding-scotch/whisky-regions-tours/ |date=26 July 2018 }}. Scotch Whisky Association. Retrieved 22 April 2012.</ref> Those on the south of the island produce [[Malt whisky|malts]] with a very strong [[peat]]y flavour, considered to be the most intensely flavoured of all whiskies. From east to west they are [[Ardbeg distillery|Ardbeg]], [[Lagavulin Single Malt|Lagavulin]], and [[Laphroaig]]. On the north of the island, [[Bowmore Single Malt|Bowmore]], [[Bruichladdich]], [[Caol Ila]], [[Bunnahabhain distillery|Bunnahabhain]] and [[Ardnahoe distillery|Ardnahoe]] are produced, which are substantially lighter in taste.<ref>[http://www.information-britain.co.uk/food/foodlegends/Islay%20Whisky/ "Islay Whisky"]  information-britain.co.uk. Retrieved 4 January 2009.</ref><ref>[http://www.islaywhiskysociety.com/ "Home"]. Islay Whisky. Retrieved 22 April 2012.</ref> [[Kilchoman Distillery|Kilchoman]] opened in 2005 toward the west coast of the Rinns.<ref>[http://www.scotchwhisky.net/distilleries/kilchoman.htm "Kilchoman Scotch Whisky Distillery"]. ScotchWhisky.net. Retrieved 22 April 2012.</ref>
[[File:Scotland Argyll Bute Islay Lagavulin Distillery 01.jpg|thumb|Lagavulin distillery (2015)]]
The oldest record of a legal distillery on the island refers to Bowmore in 1779 and at one time there were up to 23 distilleries in operation.<ref name=Newton33>{{harvnb|Newton|1995|p=33}}</ref> For example, [[Port Charlotte (distillery)|Port Charlotte distillery]] operated from 1829 to 1929<ref name=IslayinfoPortC>[http://www.islayinfo.com/islay_port_charlotte_distillery.html "Port Charlotte Distillery"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170528083514/http://www.islayinfo.com/islay_port_charlotte_distillery.html |date=28 May 2017 }}.  IslayInfo. Retrieved 22 April 2012.</ref> and [[Port Ellen Single Malt|Port Ellen]] is also closed although it remains in business as a [[malthouse|malting]].<ref name=Newton33/> In March 2007, Bruichladdich announced that they would reopen Port Charlotte distillery using equipment from the Inverleven distillery.<ref name=IslayinfoPortC/>
[[File:Laphroaig Distillery.jpg|thumb|Laphroaig Distillery (2008)]]
In general, the whiskies from this island are known for "pungent peaty, smoky and oily flavours, with just a hint of salty sea air and seaweed" because of the use of peat and the maritime climate, according to one report.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.visitscotland.com/see-do/food-drink/whisky/distilleries/islay/|title=Islay Distilleries - Whisky Tours, Tastings & Map|website=www.visitscotland.com}}</ref> The island's own web site is more specific. Distilleries in the south make whisky which is "medium-bodied ... saturated with peat-smoke, brine and iodine" because they use malt that is heavy with peat as well as peaty water. Whisky from the northern area is milder because it is made using spring water for a "lighter flavoured, mossy (rather than peaty), with some seaweed, some nuts..." characteristic.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.islayinfo.com/islay_whisky_distilleries.html|title=Islay Malt Whisky and Islay Whisky Distilleries Map|website=www.islayinfo.com}}</ref>

===Tourism===
Some 45,000 summer visitors arrive each year by ferry and a further 11,000 by air.<ref>{{harvnb|Keay|Keay|1994|p=548}}</ref> The main attractions are the scenery, history, [[ornithology|bird watching]] and the world-famous whiskies.<ref>[http://guide.visitscotland.com/vs/guide/5,en,SCH1/objectId,RGN983vs,curr,GBP,season,at1,selectedEntry,home/home.html "The Isle of Islay"]. Visit Scotland.  Retrieved 22 April 2012.</ref> The distilleries operate various shops, tours and visitor centres,<ref>[http://www.islayinfo.com/islay_whisky_distilleries.html "Islay Malt Whisky & Islay Distilleries"]. IslayInfo. Retrieved 22 April 2012.</ref> and the Finlaggan Trust has a visitor centre which is open daily during the summer.<ref>[http://www.finlaggan.com/visit.asp "Visit Finlaggan"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120430001814/http://www.finlaggan.com/visit.asp |date=30 April 2012 }}. The Finlaggan Trust. Retrieved 22 April 2012.</ref>

Golf is available on the 116-year-old [[Machrie golf course]] now owned by [[Gavyn Davies]] and his wife [[Susan Nye, Baroness Nye]]; the course was redesigned and reopened in 2017. (The adjoining Macrhie Hotel, with 47 bedrooms, was recently rebuilt.)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.top100golfcourses.com/golf-course/machrie|title=The Machrie Golf Links - Top 100 Golf Courses of Scotland|website=www.top100golfcourses.com}}</ref> Walkers and cyclists appreciate the 210 kilometres of coastline. Bird watchers should also be satisfied.<ref name="Beyond the single malt Scotch">{{Cite news|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/beyond-the-single-malt-scotch/article18146228/|title=Beyond the single malt Scotch|newspaper=The Globe and Mail|date=29 September 2007|last1=Beaumont|first1=Stephen}}</ref>

The web site [[Trip Advisor]] rates the following as the top ten Sights & Landmarks on the island: Kildalton Cross in Port Ellen, Finlaggan in Ballygrant, Kildalton High Cross and Old Parish Church in Port Ellen, the American Monument, Kilchoman Military Cemetery, The Round Church in Bowmore, Kilnave Cross,  Dunyvaig Castle in Lagavulin, Portnahaven Harbour, 
and Kilchoman Church.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.tripadvisor.ca/Attractions-g186582-Activities-c47-Islay_The_Hebrides_Scotland.html|title=THE 10 BEST Islay Sights & Landmarks|website=Tripadvisor}}</ref>

According to a July 2018 report, some summer days see nearly 6,000 tourists on the island and over 15,000 during the Feis Ile whisky festival in May. Those are very high numbers for an island with approximately 3,200 residents. That has led to some concern that the unique flavour of Islay is being negatively affected.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/insight-visitor-numbers-drive-highlands-tourist-trap-1427738|title=Insight: Visitor numbers drive Highlands into tourist trap|website=www.scotsman.com}}</ref> Still, there are no large hotels on the island yet, with tourist accommodation provided by guest houses, B&Bs, small hotels such as the Port Charlotte Hotel and the Harbour Inn at Bowmore,<ref name="Beyond the single malt Scotch"/> self catering cottages and a youth hostel. Two campsites are available; one of them can accommodate motorhomes.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.islayinfo.com/|title=Islay Ultimate Online Guide - Isle of Islay Queen of the Hebrides|website=www.islayinfo.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://islayinfo.com/islay_hotels.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060614130239/http://islayinfo.com/islay_hotels.html|url-status=live|archive-date=14 June 2006|title=Hotels}}</ref>

===Renewable energy===
[[File:Wfm islay landsat.jpg|thumb|alt=Satellite image of Islay (left) and the southern part of Jura (top right)|Satellite image of Islay (left) and the southern part of Jura (top right)]]
The location of Islay, exposed to the full force of the North Atlantic, has led to it being the site of a pioneering, and Scotland's first, [[wave power]] station near Portnahaven. The [[Islay LIMPET]] (Land Installed Marine Powered Energy Transformer) wave power generator was designed and built by Wavegen and researchers from the [[Queen's University of Belfast]], and was financially backed by the European Union. Known as Limpet 500, due to cabling constraints its capacity was limited to providing up to 150&nbsp;kW of electricity into the island's grid.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.wavegen.co.uk/pdf/Consruction,commission%20&%20operation%20of%20LIMPET.pdf| author=Tom Heath| title=The Construction, Commissioning and Operation of the LIMPET Wave Energy Collector| publisher=Wavegen| access-date=27 April 2011| url-status=usurped| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110626204435/http://www.wavegen.co.uk/pdf/Consruction%2Ccommission%20%26%20operation%20of%20LIMPET.pdf| archive-date=26 June 2011| df=dmy-all}}</ref> In 2000 it became the world's first commercial wave power station. It has since been decommissioned.

In March 2011 the largest [[tidal power|tidal array]] in the world was approved by the Scottish Government with 10 planned turbines predicted to generate enough power for over 5,000 homes. The project will be located in the [[Sound of Islay]] which offers both strong currents and shelter from storms.<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-12767211 "Islay to get major tidal power scheme"] (17 March 2011) BBC Scotland. Retrieved 17 March 2011.</ref>

===Transport===
[[File:Finlaggan approaching Kennacraig.jpg|thumb|left|[[Caledonian MacBrayne]]'s [[MV Finlaggan|MV ''Finlaggan'']]]]
Many of the roads on the island are single-track with passing places. The two main roads are the [[A846 road|A846]] from Ardbeg to Port Askaig via Port Ellen and Bowmore, and the [[A847 road|A847]] which runs down the east coast of the Rhinns.<ref name=OS/> The island has its own bus service provided by Islay Coaches, and [[Islay Airport|Glenegedale Airport]] offers flights to and from [[Glasgow International Airport]] and on a less regular basis to [[Oban Airport|Oban]] and [[Colonsay Airport|Colonsay]].<ref>[http://www.islayinfo.com/travel.html "Islay Travel and Local Transport Information"]. IslayInfo. Retrieved 22 April 2012.</ref>

[[Caledonian MacBrayne]] operate regular ferry services to Port Ellen and Port Askaig from [[Kennacraig]], taking about two hours. Ferries to Port Askaig also run on to [[Scalasaig]] on [[Colonsay]] and, on summer Wednesdays, to [[Oban]]. The purpose-built vessel, {{MV|Finlaggan}} entered service in 2011.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.calmac.co.uk/on-board-ships-guide/MV%20Finlaggan%20Information%20Leaflet.pdf| title=MV Finlaggan|publisher=[[Caledonian MacBrayne]]| access-date=21 April 2012}}</ref> ASP Ship Management Ltd operate a small car ferry on behalf of [[Argyll and Bute|Argyll & Bute Council]] from Port Askaig to [[Feolin]] on [[Jura, Scotland|Jura]].<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.islayjura.com/?page_id=85| title=Travelling to Islay & Jura| publisher=Visit Islay Jura| access-date=21 April 2012| archive-date=20 February 2012| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120220104817/http://www.islayjura.com/?page_id=85| url-status=dead}}</ref> Kintyre Express will begin operating passenger only services between Port Ellen and Ballycastle in Northern Ireland from Fridays to Mondays through June, July and August.
[[File:Portellen lighthouse.jpg|thumb|The lighthouse at Carraig Fhada, [[Port Ellen]]]]
There are various [[lighthouse]]s on and around Islay as an aid to navigation. These include the Rinns of Islay light built on Orsay in 1825 by [[Robert Stevenson (civil engineer)|Robert Stevenson]],<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.nlb.org.uk/LighthouseLibrary/Lighthouse/Rinns-of-Islay/| title=Rinns of Islay| publisher=[[Northern Lighthouse Board]]| access-date=20 April 2011}}</ref> [[Ruvaal Lighthouse|Ruvaal]] at the north eastern tip of Islay constructed in 1859,<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.nlb.org.uk/LighthouseLibrary/Lighthouse/Ruvaal/| title=Ruvaal| publisher=[[Northern Lighthouse Board]]| access-date=20 April 2011}}</ref> Carraig Fhada at Port Ellen, which has an unusual design,<ref>{{harvnb|Newton|1995|p=16}}</ref> and [[Dubh Artach]], an isolated rock tower some {{convert|35|km|mi|abbr=on}} northwest of Ruvaal.

===Other activities===
Since 1973 the ''Ileach'' has been delivering news to the people of Islay every fortnight and was named community newspaper of the year in 2007.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.highland.gov.uk/yourcouncil/news/newsreleases/2007/January/2007-01-18-00.htm| title=Shetland Times Retains Newspaper of the Year Award| publisher=Highland Council| date=18 January 2007| access-date=23 January 2008| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080102090609/http://www.highland.gov.uk/yourcouncil/news/newsreleases/2007/January/2007-01-18-00.htm| archive-date=2 January 2008| url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>[http://www.firstport.org.uk/directory/org/878 "Islay & Jura Council for Voluntary Service – Bowmore"] {{Webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20120802075924/http://www.firstport.org.uk/directory/org/878 |date=2 August 2012 }} Firstport. Retrieved 13 April 2012.</ref> The Islay Ales Brewery brews various [[real ale]]s at its premises near Bridgend.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.islayales.com/| title=Ales from the Isle of Malts| publisher=Islay Ales| access-date=23 January 2008| archive-date=10 April 2004| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040410101043/http://islayales.com/| url-status=dead}}</ref> In the early 21st century a campus of [[Sabhal Mòr Ostaig]] was set up on Islay, [[Ionad Chaluim Chille Ìle]], which teaches Gaelic language, culture and heritage.<ref>[http://en.islay-gaelic.net/ "An open door to Gaelic language and culture"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130721030921/http://en.islay-gaelic.net/ |date=21 July 2013 }}. Ionad Chaluim Chille Ìle. Retrieved 13 April 2012.</ref> The Port Mòr community centre at Port Charlotte, which is equipped with a [[micro wind turbine]] and a ground-source heating system, is the creation of local [[development trust]] Iomairt Chille Chomain.<ref>[http://islandofislay.co.uk/about-us.php "About Us"]. Iomairt Chille Chomain. Retrieved 15 April 2012.</ref><ref>[http://www.dtascot.org.uk/content/directory-of-members/iomairt-chille-chomain "Iomairt Chille Chomain"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160308063017/http://www.dtascot.org.uk/content/directory-of-members/iomairt-chille-chomain |date=8 March 2016 }}. DTA Scotland. Retrieved 15 April 2012.</ref>

==Infrastructure==
===Telecommunications===
A {{convert|16|mi|km}} submarine telegraph cable was laid in July 1871 between Ardenistle near Port Ellen on Islay and Kintyre using the SS ''Robert Lowe''.<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=Telegraph Extension in the West Highlands |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000459/18710713/027/0003 |newspaper=John o’Groat Journal |location=Scotland |date=13 July 1871 |access-date=28 September 2023 |via=British Newspaper Archive |url-access=subscription }}</ref> The schooner ''Catherine and Mary'' of Leith arrived at the end of July with poles, wires and other equipment to extend the telegraph throughout the island.<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=Islay. Telegraphy |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000472/18710801/026/0004 |newspaper=Greenock Telegraph and Clyde Shipping Gazette |location=Scotland |date=1 August 1871 |access-date=28 September 2023 |via=British Newspaper Archive |url-access=subscription }}</ref> but there was a delay in starting work. It was reported in September 1871 that Lieutenant Turner, provisional engineer with six Royal Engineers had just commenced operations to lay a line from Port Ellen to Port Askaig which was scheduled to be completed within 3 months.<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=A Canal through Kintyre |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000540/18710920/037/0002 |newspaper=The Scotsman |location=Scotland |date=20 September 1871 |access-date=28 September 2023 |via=British Newspaper Archive |url-access=subscription }}</ref> The telegraph office opened in Port Ellen for business on 12 December 1871.<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=New Scotch Telegraph Offices |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000472/18711213/015/0003 |newspaper=Greenock Telegraph and Clyde Shipping Gazette |location=Scotland |date=13 December 1871 |access-date=29 September 2023 |via=British Newspaper Archive |url-access=subscription }}</ref> A branch line from Bridgend to Bowmore was completed in January 1872<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=Port-Ellen - Local Notes |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000472/18720126/005/0001 |newspaper=Greenock Telegraph and Clyde Shipping Gazette |location=Scotland |date=26 January 1872 |access-date=28 September 2023 |via=British Newspaper Archive |url-access=subscription }}</ref> and telegraph offices in Bowmore and Port Askaig opened on 1 April 1872.

In 1935 a submarine cable {{convert|17|mi|km}} long was laid from Glencardock Point on Kintyre to Port Ellen. The first telephone exchange was built in Port Ellen and 200 miles of telephone wires erected across the island. The first call was made on 19 September 1935 when Mr A. Kerr Murray of the Scottish Western District of the Post Office Telephone Department inaugurated the trunk service in Port Ellen with a call to Provost A. MacEachran of Campbeltown. To meet the cost of providing the service a fee of 6d was charged in addition to the ordinary trunk charge.<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=Islay now on the 'phone |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000577/19350920/105/0009 |newspaper=Aberdeen Press and Journal |location=Scotland |date=20 September 1935 |access-date=16 October 2023 |via=British Newspaper Archive |url-access=subscription }}</ref> Expansion of the service took place in 1936 with the first automatic exchange opening in Bowmore on 23 September and at Kidalton on 24 September<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=Telephone Improvement in Islay |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0005085/19361017/100/0005 |newspaper=Oban Times and Argyllshire Advertiser |location=Scotland |date=17 October 1936 |access-date=16 October 2023 |via=British Newspaper Archive |url-access=subscription }}</ref> and in 1937 in Port Charlotte and Port Askaig.<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=Phone services to Western Isles |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000577/19371130/054/0007 |newspaper=Aberdeen Press and Journal |location=Scotland |date=30 November 1937 |access-date=16 October 2023 |via=British Newspaper Archive |url-access=subscription }}</ref>

===Electricity===
The earliest records of the use of electricity on Islay are from 1894 when the [[Bunnahabhain Distillery]] was provided with electric light.<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=Enterprise in Islay |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000462/18940203/055/0003 |newspaper=Oban Times and Argyllshire Advertiser |location=Scotland |date=3 February 1894 |access-date=28 September 2023 |via=British Newspaper Archive |url-access=subscription }}</ref> The other distilleries followed suit fairly shortly after this, but except for a few people who could afford to install generating plant themselves, electricity was not provided generally for domestic consumption until after the [[Second World War]].

In 1937 it was reported in the ''Oban Times and Argyllshire Advertiser'' of 22 May 1937 that on Coronation Day in Bowmore ''through the ingenuity of Mr Allan Cameron, chemist, part of the village was floodlit for two nights by electricity from his private plant. This was a source of great admiration and attraction in a village which depends almost entirely on paraffin for light.''<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=Isle of Islay. Bowmore |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0005085/19370522/137/0007 |newspaper=Oban Times and Argyllshire Advertiser |location=Scotland |date=22 May 1937 |access-date=28 September 2023 |via=British Newspaper Archive |url-access=subscription }}</ref>

In January 1945 the [[North of Scotland Hydro-Electric Board]] began a survey of Islay to provide electricity. This showed that the generating plant at [[RAF Bowmore]] would prove suitable for temporary use in providing supplies in the early stages of a distribution scheme for the island. The [[Air Ministry]] agreed and the Board purchased the whole of the Bowmore plant.<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=Highland Electric Schemes |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0005085/19451215/068/0003 |newspaper=Oban Times and Argyllshire Advertiser |location=Scotland |date=15 December 1945 |access-date=28 September 2023 |via=British Newspaper Archive |url-access=subscription }}</ref>

In September 1948 the North of Scotland Hydro-Electric Board switched on the first supply of electricity in Bowmore. Forty houses were connected to the local network which was supplied from a diesel engine.<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=Electricity Switched on in Islay |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0005085/19480925/023/0002 |newspaper=Oban Times and Argyllshire Advertiser |location=Scotland |date=25 September 1948 |access-date=28 September 2023 |via=British Newspaper Archive |url-access=subscription }}</ref> Another 50 premises including the church were connected shortly afterwards and the distribution line from Bowmore to Port Ellen was also under construction.

In 1961 Islay was connected to the mainland with a cable which was submarine for 6 miles from the mainland to Jura and then again for {{convert|1.5|mi|km}} from Jura to Islay. The project also involved {{convert|42|mi|km}} of overhead lines.<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=Power Line for Islay |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000540/19610419/184/0007 |newspaper=The Scotsman |location=Scotland |date=19 April 1961 |access-date=28 September 2023 |via=British Newspaper Archive |url-access=subscription }}</ref>

==Gaelic language==
Islay has historically been a very strong Gaelic-speaking area. In both the 1901 and 1921 censuses, all parishes in Islay were reported to be over 75 per cent Gaelic-speaking. By 1971, the Rhinns had dropped to 50–74 per cent Gaelic speakers and the rest of Islay to 25–49 per cent Gaelic speaker overall.<ref name="MacT"/> By 1991 about a third of the island's population were Gaelic speakers.<ref>[http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2001/09/195 "Boost for Islay Gaelic centre"] (11 September 2001) Scottish Government. Retrieved 3 August 2008.</ref> In the 2001 census this had dropped to 24 per cent, which, while a low figure overall, nonetheless made it the most strongly Gaelic-speaking island in [[Argyll and Bute]] after Tiree, with the highest percentage recorded in Portnahaven (32 per cent) and the lowest in Gortontaoid (17 per cent), with the far north and south of the island being the weakest areas in general.<ref name=MacT/>

The Islay dialect is distinctive. It patterns strongly with other Argyll dialects, especially those of Jura, Colonsay and [[Kintyre]].<ref>{{harvnb|Grannd|2000|pp=61–65}}</ref> Amongst its distinctive phonological features are the shift from long /aː/ to /ɛː/, a high degree of retention of long /eː/, the shift of dark /l̪ˠ/ to /t̪/, the lack of intrusive /t̪/ in ''sr'' groups (for example /s̪ɾoːn/ "nose" rather than /s̪t̪ɾoːn/)<ref>{{harvnb|Grannd|2000|pp=14, 73; 54–55, 139; 59, 146; 51, 134}}</ref> and the retention of the [[Lenition|unlenited]] past-tense particle ''d''' (for example, ''d'èirich'' "rose" instead of ''dh'èirich'').<ref>{{harvnb|Grannd|2000|p=135}}</ref> It sits within a group of [[Isogloss|lexical isoglosses]] (i.e. words distinctive to a certain area) with strong similarities to the southern Scottish Gaelic and [[Ulster Irish]] dialects. Examples are ''dhuit'' "to you" (instead of the more common ''dhut''),<ref>{{harvnb|Grannd|2000|pp=17, 78}}</ref> the formula ''gun robh math agad'' "thank you" (instead of the more common ''mòran taing'' or ''tapadh leat'' but compare [[Irish language|Irish]] ''go raibh maith agat''),<ref>{{harvnb|Grannd|2000|pp=22, 86}}</ref> ''mand'' "able to" (instead of the more common ''urrainn'')<ref>{{harvnb|Grannd|2000|pp=26–27, 94}}</ref> or ''deifir'' "hurry" (instead of the more common ''cabhag'', Irish ''deifir'').<ref>{{harvnb|Grannd|2000|pp=33, 107}}</ref>

==Religion==
[[File:Kildalton Cross - geograph.org.uk - 860780.jpg|thumb|left|[[Kildalton Cross]]]]
Associated with various Islay churches are [[Knocking stone|cupstone]]s of uncertain age; these can be seen at Kilchoman Church, where the carved cross there is erected on one, and at Kilchiaran Church on the Rhinns. In historic times some may have been associated with pre-Christian wishing ceremonies or pagan beliefs in the "[[Fairy|wee folk]]".<ref>Morris, Ronald W. B. (1969) "The Cup-and-Ring Marks and Similar Sculptures of Scotland: a Survey of the Southern Counties, Part II." ''Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland'' '''100''' pp. 53, 55, 63</ref>

The early pioneers of Christianity in Dál Riata were [[Columba]] of Iona and [[Saint Moluag|Moluag]] of [[Lismore, Scotland|Lismore]].<ref>Fisher, Ian "The early Christian Period" in Omand (2006) p. 71</ref> The legacy of this period includes the eighth century [[Kildalton Cross]], Islay's "most famous treasure",<ref>{{harvnb|Newton|1995|p=37}}</ref> carved out of local [[epidiorite]].<ref>[http://canmore.rcahms.gov.uk/en/site/251204/details/islay+kildalton+chapel+burial+ground+kildalton+great+cross/ "Kildalton Great Cross"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121020044123/http://canmore.rcahms.gov.uk/en/site/251204/details/islay+kildalton+chapel+burial+ground+kildalton+great+cross/ |date=20 October 2012 }} RCAHMS. Retrieved 10 April 2012.</ref> A carved cross of similar age, but much more heavily weathered can be found at Kilnave,<ref>{{cite web| title=Archaeology Notes on Kilnave| url=http://www.rcahms.gov.uk/pls/portal/newcanmore.details_gis?inumlink=37474| publisher=[[Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland|RCAHMS]]| access-date=23 January 2008| archive-date=28 September 2007| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928000159/http://www.rcahms.gov.uk/pls/portal/newcanmore.details_gis?inumlink=37474| url-status=dead}}</ref> which may have served as a site of lay worship.<ref>Fisher, Ian "The early Christian Period" in Omand (2006) p. 82</ref> Although the first Norse settlers were pagan, Islay has a substantial number of sites of drystone or clay-mortared chapels with small burial grounds from the later Norse era.<ref>Fisher, Ian "The early Christian Period" in Omand (2006) p. 83</ref> In the 12th century the island became part of the [[Diocese of the Isles|Diocese of Sodor and the Isles]], which was re-established by King [[Olaf I Godredsson|Olaf Godredsson]].<ref>Bridgland, Nick "The Medieval Church in Argyll" in Omand (2006) p. 86</ref> The diocese fell within the jurisdiction of the [[Archdiocese of Nidaros]] and there were four principal churches on Islay in the Norwegian ''prestegjeld'' model: Kilnaughton, Kildalton, Kilarrow and Kilmany.<ref name=Omand88>Bridgland, Nick "The Medieval Church in Argyll" in Omand (2006) pp. 88–9</ref> In 1472 Islay became part of the [[Archdiocese of St Andrews]].<ref name=Omand88/>
[[File:Kilarrow round church.jpg|right|thumb|[[Kilarrow Parish Church]], [[Bowmore]]]]
[[Archibald Campbell, 5th Earl of Argyll]] was a strong supporter of the [[Protestant Reformation|Reformation]], but there is little evidence that his beliefs were greeted with much enthusiasm by the islanders initially. At first there were only two Protestant churches but in 1642 three parishes were created, based at Kilchoman, Kilarrow and a new church at Dunyvaig. By the end of the century there were seven churches including one on Nave Island.<ref>{{harvnb|Caldwell|2011|pp=68–69}}</ref> [[Kilarrow Parish Church]], built in 1767 by Daniel Campbell when [[laird]] of Islay, is round and such, as local folklore has it, has no corner in which the devil could hide.<ref>{{harvnb|Newton|1995|pp=20–21}}</ref> The [[kirk]] on the Rhinns of Islay is St Kiaran's, located just outside the village of Port Charlotte and Port Ellen is served by St John's. There are a variety of other [[Church of Scotland]] churches and various other congregations on the island. [[Baptists]] meet in Port Ellen and in Bowmore, the [[Scottish Episcopal Church]] of [[St. Columba]] is located in [[Bridgend, Islay|Bridgend]] and the Islay Roman Catholic congregation also uses St Columba's for its services.<ref>[http://www.islayinfo.com/islay_churches.html "Churches and Services on the Isle of Islay."] IslayInfo. Retrieved 23 March 2012.</ref>

==Media and the arts==
Islay was featured in some of the scenes of the 1954 film ''[[The Maggie]]'',<ref>[https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0047085/locations ''The Maggie''] Imdb. Retrieved 10 April 2012.</ref> and the 1942 documentary "[[Coastal Command (film)|Coastal Command]]" was partly filmed in Bowmore.<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0034603/locations| title=Filming locations for "Coastal Command"| website=[[IMDb]]| access-date= 23 January 2008}}</ref>

In 1967–68, folk-rock songwriter and singer Donovan included "Isle of Islay" in his album, ''[[A Gift from a Flower to a Garden]]'', a song praising the pastoral beauties of the island.{{#tag:ref|It is claimed that Donovan wrote the song after being arrested for possession of [[marijuana]] and that "I had to leave, I had to get away from the publicity, so I took a plane north to Scotland, and on a northern island I found the peace, and I wrote this song."<ref>[http://donovan-unofficial.com/music/songs/isle_of_islay.html "Isle of Islay"] Donovan Unofficial. Retrieved 11 April 2012.</ref>|group="Note"}} "[[Westering Home]]" is a 20th-century Scottish song about Islay written by [[Hugh S. Roberton]], derived from an earlier Gaelic song.<ref>[http://www.scottishpoetrylibrary.org.uk/poetry/poems/westering-home "Westering Home"]. Scottish Poetry Library. Retrieved 11 April 2012.</ref><ref>[http://www.celticartscenter.com/Songs/Scottish/WesteringHome.html "Westering Home"]. Celtic Arts Center. Retrieved 11 April 2012.</ref>

In the 1990s the BBC adaptation of ''[[Para Handy]]'' was partly filmed in Port Charlotte and Bruichladdich and featured a race between the ''[[Vital Spark]]'' (Para Handy's [[Clyde puffer|puffer]]) and a rival along the length of Loch Indaal. In 2007, parts of the BBC [[Springwatch]] programme were recorded on Islay with [[Simon King (television)|Simon King]] being based on Islay. The British Channel 4 archaeological television programme ''[[Time Team]]'' excavated at Finlaggan, the episode being first broadcast in 1995.<ref name="springwatch">{{cite web| url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/animals/springwatch/programmes/| title=Springwatch| publisher=BBC| access-date=23 January 2008}}</ref><ref>[http://www.visitscottishheartlands.com/stage_screen/mid_argyll.html "Mid-Argyll, Kintyre & Islay"]. Visit Scotland. Retrieved 12 April 2012.</ref><ref>[http://www.channel4.com/programmes/time-team/episode-guide/series-2 "Time Teak: Series 2"]. Channel 4. Retrieved 12 April 2012.</ref>

In 2000, Japanese author [[Haruki Murakami]] visited the island to sample seven single malt whiskies on the island and later wrote a travel book called ''[[:ja:もし僕らのことばがウィスキーであったなら|If our language were whisky]]''.<!--Murakami Haruki uses the Irish spelling "whiskey" for some reason. See http://www.haruki-murakami.com  -->

==Wildlife==
[[File:bridgendwoods.JPG|thumb|left|Bridgend woods in January]]
Islay is home to many species of wildlife and is especially known for its birds. Winter-visiting [[barnacle goose]] numbers have reached 35,000 in recent years with as many as 10,000 arriving in a single day.  There are also up to 12,000 [[Greenland white-fronted goose|Greenland white-fronted geese]], and smaller numbers of [[Brent goose|brent]], [[Pink-footed goose|pinkfooted]] and [[Canada goose|Canada]] geese are often found amongst these flocks. Other waterfowl include [[Whooper swan|whooper]] and [[Mute swan|mute]] swans, [[Eider|eider duck]], [[Horned grebe|Slavonian grebe]], [[Common goldeneye|goldeneye]], [[long-tailed duck]] and [[Eurasian wigeon|wigeon]].<ref name=SOC>[http://www.the-soc.org.uk/islay-sites.htm "Birdwatching on Islay"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130119122242/http://www.the-soc.org.uk/islay-sites.htm |date=19 January 2013 }}. Scottish Ornithologists' Club/''Scottish Bird News''. Retrieved 23 April 2012.</ref> The elusive [[corncrake]] and [[sanderling]], [[Common ringed plover|ringed plover]] and [[curlew sandpiper]] are amongst the summer visitors.<ref name=SOC/> Resident birds include [[red-billed chough]], [[hen harrier]], [[golden eagle]], [[peregrine falcon]], [[Barn-owl|barn owl]], [[Common raven|raven]], [[Eurasian oystercatcher|oystercatcher]] and [[Common guillemot|guillemot]].<ref name=SOC/> The re-introduced [[White-tailed eagle|white-tailed sea eagle]] is now seen regularly around the coasts.<ref>[http://www.naturetrek.co.uk/tour.aspx?id=165 "Islay and Jura"]. Naturetrek. Retrieved 23 April 2012.</ref> In all, about 105 species breed on the island each year and between 100 and 120 different species can be seen at any one time.<ref name=SOC/>

A population of several thousand [[red deer]] inhabit the moors and hills. [[Fallow deer]] can be found in the southeast, and [[roe deer]] are common on low-lying ground. [[European otter|Otters]] are common around the coasts along Nave Island, and [[Harbor seal|common]] and [[grey seals]] breed on Nave Island. Offshore, a variety of [[cetacean]]s are regularly recorded including [[minke whales]], [[pilot whales]], [[killer whales]] and [[Bottlenose dolphin|bottle-nosed dolphins]]. The only snake on Islay is the [[Vipera berus|adder]] and the [[Viviparous lizard|common lizard]] is widespread although not commonly seen.<ref>[http://www.islaynaturalhistory.org/mammchklst.htm "Mammals, Reptiles and Amphibians"] {{Webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20120802122351/http://www.islaynaturalhistory.org/mammchklst.htm |date=2 August 2012 }}. Islay Natural History Trust.  Retrieved 23 April 2012.</ref> The island supports a significant population of the [[marsh fritillary]] along with numerous other moths and butterflies.<ref>[http://www.islaynaturalhistory.org/speciesfiles/recordfiles/Mothsandbutterflies/Current/index.html "Islay Wildlife Records – Moths and Butterflies Index"] {{Webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20120804182438/http://www.islaynaturalhistory.org/speciesfiles/recordfiles/Mothsandbutterflies/Current/index.html |date=4 August 2012 }}. Islay Natural History Trust.  Retrieved 23 April 2012.</ref> The mild climate supports a diversity of flora, typical of the [[Inner Hebrides#Wildlife|Inner Hebrides]].<ref>[http://www.islaynaturalhistory.org/speciesfiles/recordfiles/Floweringplants/Current/index.html "Islay Wildlife Records – Flowering plants Index"] {{Webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20120802171841/http://www.islaynaturalhistory.org/speciesfiles/recordfiles/Floweringplants/Current/index.html |date=2 August 2012 }}. Islay Natural History Trust.  Retrieved 23 April 2012.</ref>

==Notable natives==
[[File:Port Ellen, Islay.jpg|thumb|[[Port Ellen]]]]
* [[Glenn Campbell (broadcaster)|Glenn Campbell]] (born 1976), Scottish political reporter for the BBC, was brought up on Islay and attended Islay High School.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/politics_show/2813111.stm| title=Meet presenter Glenn Campbell| access-date=23 January 2008| work=BBC News | date=2 March 2003}}</ref>
* [[John Francis Campbell]] (1821-1885), authority on [[Scottish folklore]] and joint inventor of the [[Campbell–Stokes recorder]]. The son of Daniel Campbell of Shawfield, his father's bankruptcy prevented him inheriting the Islay estate. There is, however, a monument commemorating him at Bridgend.<ref>{{harvnb|Haswell-Smith|2004|p=43}}</ref>
* [[Alistair Carmichael]] (born 1965), the Liberal Democrat Deputy Chief Whip, was born on Islay to hill-farming parents. He has represented [[Orkney and Shetland (UK Parliament constituency)|Orkney and Shetland]] at [[Parliament of the United Kingdom|Westminster]] since 2001.<ref>[http://www.scotlibdems.org.uk/people/alistair-carmichael "Alistair Carmichael"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130201195256/http://www.scotlibdems.org.uk/people/alistair-carmichael |date=1 February 2013 }} Scottish Liberal Democrats. Retrieved 23 March 2012.</ref>
* [[Donald Caskie]] (1902–1983) was born on Islay. He became known as the "Tartan Pimpernel" for his exploits in France during World War II.<ref>[http://www.scotsman.com/news/our-man-in-marseilles-1-590900 "Our man in Marseilles"]. (27 December 2001) Edinburgh. ''The Scotsman''. Retrieved 19 September 2012.</ref> 
* [[John Crawfurd]] (1783-1868) was born on Islay and during a long career as a [[colonial administrator]] he became governor of [[Singapore]]. He also wrote a number of books including ''Journal of an Embassy from the Governor General of India to the Courts of Siam and Cochin China'' (1828).<ref>[[Turnbull, C. M.]] (2004) [http://www.oxforddnb.com/index/6/101006651/ "Crawfurd, John (1783–1868), orientalist and colonial administrator"]. ''[[Oxford Dictionary of National Biography]]''. Retrieved 19 September 2012.</ref>
* [[William Livingston (poet)|William Livingstone]] ({{langx|gd|Uilleam Mac Dhunlèibhe}}) (1808-1870), an important figure in 19th-century [[Scottish Gaelic literature]] and chronicler in verse of the [[Highland Clearances]] upon Islay, was born upon the Gartmain farm near [[Bowmore]].<ref>Edited by Donald E. Meek (2019), ''The Wiles of the World Caran an t-Saohgail: Anthology of 19th-century Scottish Gaelic Verse'', Birlinn Limited. Page 478.</ref>
*[[David Lowe MacIntyre|David MacIntyre]] (1895-1967) from Portnahaven, recipient of the [[Victoria Cross]].<ref>[http://www.homeusers.prestel.co.uk/stewart/edinburg.htm "Grave Location For Holders of the Victoria Cross in the City Of Edinburgh"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041225165403/http://www.homeusers.prestel.co.uk/stewart/edinburg.htm |date=25 December 2004 }}. Prestel. Retrieved 30 January 2014.</ref>
* [[Alexander McDougall|General Alexander McDougall]] (1732-1786), a figure in the [[American War of Independence]] and the first president of the [[Bank of New York]], was born in Kildalton in 1731.<ref>[http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=M000415 "McDougall, Alexander, (1731–1786)"]. United States Congress. Retrieved 23 March 2012.</ref>
* [[Bernard MacLaverty]] (born 1942), Irish author who lived on the island prior to moving to Glasgow.<ref>{{cite web |title=Biography |url=http://www.bernardmaclaverty.com/biography |website=Bernard MacLaverty |access-date=20 August 2021}}</ref>
* [[George Robertson, Baron Robertson of Port Ellen|George Robertson]] (born 1946), formerly secretary-general of NATO and British [[Defence Secretary]]. In 1999 he was made Lord Robertson of Port Ellen.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.nato.int/cv/secgen/robert-e.htm | title = NATO Secretary General (1999–2003) The Rt. Hon. Lord Robertson of Port Ellen | access-date = 19 September 2012 | date = 6 January 2004 | work = Who is who at NATO? | publisher = [[NATO]]}}</ref>
* [[William Stewart (scientist)|Sir William Stewart]] (born 1935) became the UK government's [[Government Chief Scientific Adviser|Chief Scientific Adviser]] in the late 1980s and early 1990s.<ref>[http://www.napier.ac.uk/alumni/news/HonGrads/Pages/SirWilliamStewart.aspx "Sir William Stewart Doctor of Science"]. Edinburgh Napier University. Retrieved 19 September 2012.</ref>

==See also==
{{Portal|Scottish islands}}
* [[List of islands of Scotland]]
* [[Lewisian complex]]
* [[Scottish island names]]
* [[Snowball Earth]]
* [[Timeline of prehistoric Scotland]]

==References==

===Notes===
{{reflist|group="Note"}}

===Footnotes===
{{reflist}}

===General references===
{{refbegin|30em}}
* {{cite book | last=Baird | first=Bob | year=1995 | title=Shipwrecks of the West of Scotland | location=Glasgow | publisher=Nekton Books |isbn=978-1-897995-02-0}}
* {{cite book | last=Caldwell | first=David H. | year=2011 | title=Islay, Jura and Colonsay: A Historical Guide | location=Edinburgh | publisher=Birlinn | isbn=978-1-84158-961-9}}
*{{cite journal | last=Duffy | first=Seán |title=Irishmen and Islesmen in the Kingdom of Dublin and Man 1052–1171 |journal=[[Ériu (journal)|Ériu]] |pages=93–133 |year=1992|jstor=30007421|issue=43|volume=43}}
* {{cite encyclopedia | last=Duffy | first=Seán | author-mask=2 | year=2004 | title=Godred Crovan (d. 1095) | encyclopedia=Oxford Dictionary of National Biography | location=Oxford | publisher=Oxford University Press}}
* {{cite book | last=Gammeltoft | first=Peder | chapter=Scandinavian Naming-Systems in the Hebrides—A Way of Understanding how the Scandinavians were in Contact with Gaels and Picts? | editor-last=Ballin-Smith | editor-first=Beverley | editor2-last=Taylor | editor2-first=Simon | editor3-last=Williams | editor3-first=Gareth | year=2007 | title=West over Sea: Studies in Scandinavian Sea-Borne Expansion and Settlement Before 1300 | location=Leiden | publisher=Brill}}
* {{cite book | last=Gillen | first=Con | year=2003 | title=Geology and landscapes of Scotland | location=Harpenden | publisher=Terra Publishing | isbn=978-1903544099}}
* {{cite book | last1=Graham-Campbell | first1=James |author-link=James Graham-Campbell | last2=Batey | first2=Colleen E. | year=1998 | title=Vikings in Scotland: An Archaeological Survey | publisher=Edinburgh University Press | isbn=978-0-7486-0641-2}}
* {{cite book | last=Grannd | first=Seumas | year=2000 | title=The Gaelic of Islay: A Comparative Study | publisher=Department of Celtic, University of Aberdeen | series=Scottish Gaelic Studies Monograph Series 2 | isbn=978-0-9523911-4-2}}
* {{cite book | last=Gregory | first=Donald | author-link=Donald Gregory | year=1881 | edition=2nd | title=The history of the Western Highlands and Isles of Scotland, from A.D. 1493 to A.D. 1625, with a brief introductory sketch, from A.D. 80 to A.D. 1493| location=London; Glasgow | publisher=Hamilton, Adams & Co.; Thomas D. Morison | url=https://archive.org/stream/historyofwestern00greguoft#page/n5/mode/2up}}
* {{cite book | last = Haswell-Smith | first = Hamish | year = 2004 | title = The Scottish Islands | location = Edinburgh | publisher = Canongate| isbn = 978-1-84195-454-7}}
* {{cite book | last=Hunter | first=James | author-link=James Hunter (historian)| year=2000 | title=Last of the Free: A History of the Highlands and Islands of Scotland | location=Edinburgh | publisher=Mainstream | isbn=978-1-84018-376-4}}
* {{cite book | last1=Jennings | first1=Andrew | last2=Kruse | first2=Arne | chapter=One Coast-Three Peoples: Names and Ethnicity in the Scottish West during the Early Viking period | editor-last=Woolf | editor-first=Alex | year=2009a | title=Scandinavian Scotland – Twenty Years After: The Proceedings of a Day Conference held on 19 February 2007 | location=St. Andrews | publisher=University of St. Andrews, Committee for Dark Age Studies | pages=75–102 | series=St John's House Papers No 12 | isbn=978-0-9512573-7-1}}
* {{cite journal | last1=Jennings | first1=Andrew | author-mask=2 | author-mask2=2 | last2=Kruse | first2=Arne | year=2009b | url=https://www.academia.edu/237929 | title=From Dál Riata to the Gall-Ghàidheil | journal=Viking and Medieval Scandinavia | volume=5 | pages=123–149| doi=10.1484/J.VMS.1.100676 | hdl=20.500.11820/762e78fe-2a9c-43cf-8173-8300892b31cb | hdl-access=free }}
* {{Cite book| last=Jupp | first=Clifford | title=The History of Islay: From earliest times to 1848 | location=Port Charlotte | publisher=Museum of Islay Life | year=1994 | id=ASIN B0000COS6B}}
* {{cite encyclopedia | editor-last=Keay | editor-first=John | editor-last2=Keay | editor-first2=Julie | year=1994 | edition=1st | title=[[Collins Encyclopaedia of Scotland]] | location=Hammersmith, London | publisher=HarperCollins | isbn=978-0-00-255082-6}}
* {{cite book | last1=King | first1=Jacob | last2=Cotter | first2=Michelle | year=2012 | title=Place-names in Islay and Jura | location=Perth | publisher=[[Scottish Natural Heritage]]}}
* {{cite book | last=Lee | first=Henry James | year=1920 | title=History of the clan Donald, the families of MacDonald, McDonald and McDonnell | url=https://archive.org/details/historyofclandon00leeh | location=New York | publisher=Polk and Company}}
* {{cite web| url=http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Gaelic/placenamesF-J.pdf |  title=Ainmean-àite | trans-title=Placenames: Faddoch – Jura | first=Iain | last=Mac an Tàilleir | publisher=[[Parliament of Scotland|Pàrlamaid na h-Alba / Parliament of Scotland]] | website=www.scottish.parliament.uk/gd/visitandlearn/40900.aspx | year= 2003 | language=gd, en | access-date=18 June 2015}}
* {{cite book | last=MacDonald | first=R. Andrew | year=2007 | title=Manx kingship in its Irish Sea setting, 1187–1229: King Rognvaldr and the Crovan dynasty | location=Dublin | publisher=Four Courts Press | isbn=978-1-84682-047-2}}
* {{cite book | last=Martin | first=Martin | author-link=Martin Martin | year=1703 | edition=1st | title=A Description of The Western Islands of Scotland | url={{Google books|jndbAAAAQAAJ|plainurl=yes}} | location=London | publisher=Andrew Bell}}
* {{cite book | last=Mithen | first=Steven | year=2006 | title=After the ice: a global human history, 20,000–5000 BC | location=Cambridge | publisher=Harvard University Press | isbn=978-0-674-01570-8 | url-access=registration | url=https://archive.org/details/aftericeglobalhu00mith }}
* {{cite book | last=Moffat | first=Alistair | year=2005 | title=Before Scotland: The Story of Scotland Before History | location=London | publisher=Thames & Hudson}}
* {{cite book | first=Donald | last=Monro | author-link=Donald Monro (priest) | chapter=A Description of the Western Isles of Scotland, Called Hybrides | chapter-url={{Google books|bpsHAAAAQAAJ|page=3|plainurl=yes}} | title=A Description of the Western Isles of Scotland, Called Hybrides (and other works) | title-link=Description of the Western Isles of Scotland | year=1774 | orig-year=1773 | location=Edinburgh | publisher=William Auld}} Date of composition without publishing is 1549. Date of first independent publication is 1582.
* {{Cite book| author=[[W. H. Murray|Murray, W. H.]]| year=1966| title=The Hebrides| location=London| publisher=Heinemann}}
* {{cite book | last=Newton | first=Norman | year=1995 | title=Islay | location=Devon | publisher=David & Charles PLC | isbn=978-0-907115-90-8}}
* Omand, Donald (ed.) (2006) ''The Argyll Book''. Edinburgh. Birlinn. {{ISBN|978-1-84158-480-5}}
* {{cite book | last=Rodger | first=N. A. M. | year=1997 | title=The Safeguard of the Sea: A Naval History of Britain | volume=One 660–1649 | location=London | publisher=Harper Collins}}
* {{Cite book| author=Storrie, Margaret| title=Islay: Biography of an Island| location=Colonsay| publisher=House of Lochar| year=1997| isbn=978-0-907651-03-1| ref=Storrie97}}
* {{cite book | last=Trewin | first=Nigel H. | year=2002 | title=The Geology of Scotland | edition=4th | location=Bath | publisher=The Geology Society | isbn=978-1862391260}}
* [[William J. Watson|Watson, W. J.]] (1994) ''The Celtic Place-Names of Scotland''. Edinburgh. Birlinn. {{ISBN|1-84158-323-5}}. First published 1926.
* [[Alex Woolf|Woolf, Alex]] (2012) [https://st-andrews.academia.edu/AlexWoolf/Papers/1560661/Ancient_Kindred_Dal_Riata_and_the_Cruthin "Ancient Kindred? Dál Riata and the Cruthin"]. St Andrews University. Academia.edu. Retrieved 19 September 2012.
{{refend}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Islay}}
{{wikivoyage | Islay}}
{{oscoor gbx|NR3705059849}}
* {{cite web | title=Isle of Islay | url=http://www.islayinfo.com/ | publisher=Islay Info | year=2014}}  Provides additional information on the demographics and culture of Islay and the Hebrides.
* {{cite web | url=http://www.islaynaturalhistory.org/ | title=The Islay Natural History Trust | location=Port Charlotte, Islay | publisher=The Natural History Centre | access-date=22 July 2009 | archive-date=27 August 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190827081058/https://www.islaynaturalhistory.org/ | url-status=dead }} Provides additional detailed information on the terrain and the species inhabiting niches on Islay.
* {{cite journal | url=http://www.stripes.com/military-life/isle-of-islay-cliffs-proved-deadly-in-wwi-shipwrecks-1.225692 | title=Isle of Islay: Cliffs Prove Deadly in WWI Shipwrecks | first=Mark D. | last=Van Ells | journal=Stars & Stripes | date=13 June 2013 | access-date=12 April 2014 | archive-date=3 July 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160703154302/http://www.stripes.com/military-life/isle-of-islay-cliffs-proved-deadly-in-wwi-shipwrecks-1.225692 | url-status=dead }} Specialized information on the maritime hazards of the coastline.

{{Islay}}
{{Argyll Islands}}
{{hebrides}}
{{Prehistoric Inner Hebrides}}
{{Islands of Scotland|Etymology}}
{{Scottish provinces|insular}}
{{Portal bar|Scotland}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Islay}}
[[Category:Islay| ]]
[[Category:Cleared places in the Inner Hebrides]]
[[Category:Islands of Argyll and Bute]]
[[Category:Islands of the Inner Hebrides]]