Islay (pronounced 'eye-la'- Norse: from 'Ile's island'). The most southerly of the Hebrides, Islay, also known as 'Queen of the Hebrides is one of the largest of Scottish islands. It is 25 miles from north to south and nineteen miles from west to east, and covers 246 square miles. A wide range of habitats is found on the island: from mountainous moorland to sheltered woodland, from fertile farmland to low peat moor and high cliffs. Islay has several interesting and picturesque villages, most of them planned, including Bowmore, dating from 1768 with its round church (no corners for the devil to hide in); Port Charlotte, an attractive village of 1828; Portnahaven; Port Wemyss and Port Ellen. Other villages include Ballygrant, Bridgend, Port Askaig and Bunnahabhain. The population is about 4000 people.

Due to Islay's location, warm climate and fertile land, it was inhabited from the earliest times. There are many remains of these early settlers, including the standing stones at Ballinaby and Coultoon; the broch of Dun Bhoraraic and fort of Dun Nosebridge. The island was held by the Horsemen between 800 and 1156, and many of the place names date from their occupation. The island is said to he named after 'lle', a Viking princess who died here.

Islay has the remains of many chapels, burial grounds and other monuments, including the fine cross at Kildalton, another and ruined chapel at Kilnave, and yet another cross at Mlchoman. Islay was the administrative centre of the Lords of the Isles, after the Hebrides had been wrested by Somerled from the Vikings and the king of Man in the 12th century. The Lords military power was based at Dunyvaig, while the administrative base was at Finlaggan, and they also had a small stronghold at Loch Gorm. James N led a campaign against the Lords in 1493, and their power was crushed. Most of the lands were retained by the MacDonalds, but the Rhinns were given, with much argument, to the MacLeans of Duart. This dispute came to battle at Traigh Gruinart in 1598 and the MacLeans were routed and Lachlan MacLean of Duart, their chief, was slain. The MacDonalds did not profit from the victory, however, and the lands passed to the Campbells of Cawdor in the reign of James VI. The MacDonalds did all in their power to retain their property, and seized the island in 1615. But it was to no avail, and the Campbells held the island.

In May 1847, during the Clearances, the Exmouth, which was carrying immigrants to America, was wrecked on the north-west coast and 266 folk were drowned. Two American troop carriers were also sunk, torpedoed by the Germans in 1918 with the loss of 266 lives. There is a memorial on the Oa peninsula. There are several interesting lighthouses, including on the Rhinns of Islay at the small isle of Orsay, and those at Ruvaal, MacArthur's Head and Loch Indaal, which are all from the middle of the 19th century.

On the Oa are the deserted townships of Tokamal and Grasdal, inhabited until the end of the 19th century, but now deserted, as is Lurabus, above Carraig Fhada farm.

For a more detail view of Islay, including a forum visit: http://www.islayinfo.com