Lismore, Argyll

Lismore

Gaelic name	Lios Mòr
Meaning of name	great garden or great enclosure
Location
Lismore Lismore shown within Argyll and Bute
OS grid reference	NM840408
Coordinates	56°31′N 5°30′W / 56.52°N 5.5°W / 56.52; -5.5
Physical geography
Island group	Mull
Area	2,351 hectares (9.1 sq mi)
Area rank	33
Highest elevation	Barr Mòr 127 metres (417 ft)
Administration
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Country	Scotland
Council area	Argyll and Bute
Demographics
Population	192
Population rank	34
Population density	8.2 people/km2
Largest settlement	Achnacroish
References

Lismore (Scottish Gaelic: Lios Mòr, pronounced [ʎis̪ moːɾ] possibly meaning "great enclosure", or "garden") is an island of some 2,351 hectares (9.1 sq mi) in the Inner Hebrides of Scotland. The climate is damp and mild, with over 166 centimetres (65 in) of rain recorded annually. This fertile, low-lying island was once a major centre of Celtic Christianity, with a 6th-century monastery associated with Saint Moluag, and later became the seat of the medieval Bishop of Argyll. There are numerous ruined structures including a broch and two 13th-century castles.

During the 19th century various new industries were introduced, including lime quarrying. During the early decades of the 20th century the population exceeded 1,000; but this was followed by a lengthy decline. Although resident numbers are now less than 200, there was a small increase from 2001 to 2011. About a third of the population were recorded as Gaelic speaking at the former date. The modern economy is largely based on farming, fishing and tourism and the largest settlement is Achnacroish. Various shipwrecks have been recorded in the vicinity.

In the Gaelic name, lios means "garden" or "enclosure", and mòr is simply "big" or "great", reflecting either the fertility of the island amidst mountainous surroundings, or the presence of a defined area surrounding the early monastery. One of the earliest English language references is to "Lismoir", recorded in the 16th century.

Achnacroish is from Achadh na Croise and means "the field of the cross". The other small settlements are Clachan (village with a church) and Port Ramsay opposite Eilean Ramsay (Ramsay's isle). Most of the surrounding islets have descriptive names such as Eilean Dubh (black island), Eilean nan Gamhna (isle of the stirks) and Pladda (flat island, from Old Norse).