Holy Island, Bute, Strathclyde

Holy Island, Bute, Strathclyde

Until 1830 this island was called Lamlash, which is now the name of the town on the Island of Arran which it faces. Before that it was Eilean Molaise, after St Mo Las, the 17th century Columban monk who lived here, supposedly until he reached the age of 120. There are scattered dwellings on the 2-mile-long hump still, including the lighthouse to the foreground here; but the goats now have Holy Island to themselves, apart from the amateur mountaineers who by motor or elbow grease strike out to climb its 1000-foot peak.

Contact Ireland and Scotland Luxury Tours to organise your visit on your Scotland tours.