Lismore (Gaelic `great garden'). The island is 10.5 miles long and about 1.5 miles wide at its widest. The island is very lush and fertile, hence the name, and at one time had many trees and supported a large population. Achnacroish is the only village. The island was inhabited since prehistoric times, and prehistoric sites include Tirefour Broch and Dun Chruban. The island was long a property of the Stewarts of Appin, but in the 16th century was acquired by the Campbells. Lady's Rock, between the southern-most tip of Lismore and Mull, was where MacLean of Duart stranded his Campbell wife so that she would drown. She was rescued, however, and MacLean was murdered in revenge by the Campbells. From 1236, Lismore was the location of the cathedral of the isles, and part of the church survives and is still used as the parish church. It was probably built on the site of an old Celtic monastery. There was a castle at Achadun, a property of the bishops of the isles. The island is rich in lime, and it was exploited and exported to the mainland for centuries, although the once numerous trees were burnt to extract the lime. In 1831 the population was 1497, but many of the folk emigrated and by 1885 there were 600 inhabitants, and the population is now under 150.

Achadun Castle: Sited on the top of a ridge, Achadun is a ruinous 13th-century castle. It was held by the Bishops of Argyll until about 1510, when they moved to Saddell in Kintyre, and part of their cathedral, now considerably altered, is still used as a parish church.

Castle Coeffin: Standing on a rock, Castle Coeffin is a much ruined and overgrown 13th-century hall house and courtyard of the MacDougalls of Lorn. It passed in the second half of the 15th century to the Camphells of Glenorchy, but was probably abandoned by the 17th century. The Campbells held the island until the 18th century. The castle is said to be named after the son, Caifen, of a Norse king, who lived here. His sister, Beothail, died of a broken heart after her betrothed was killed. Her spirit was said to haunt the castle, and did not find peace until she was buried beside her love in Norway.

Cathedral of St Moluag: The church, much reduced in size and now the parish church, was once used as the Cathedral of Argyll and the Isles. Only the 14th-century choir of the original building still stands, although foundations of the nave and tower remain- the original building was 137 feet long. The church was dedicated to St Moluag, an Irish saint, and the bishopric was transferred here in 1236. The choir was rootless by 1679, but was restored in 1749 - at which time the walls were lowered by as much as ten feet. Several carved slabs, dating from medieval times, survive in the burial ground. St Moluag founded a Christian community in the 560s, and is said to have converted parts of Pictland to Christianity. His relics are believed to have been kept here. Parish church. Disabled access. Parking nearby. Cill an t-Suidhe Off 88045, 0.5 miles W of Achnacroish, Killean, Lismore. NM 848915 LR: 49 (Map ref 316) A round enclosure, which has the remains of a ditch, is believed to have been the remains of an early Christian burial site. There is said have been an old chapel at Mean, dedicated to St John.