ObanOban ('oːbən ; An t-Òban ən̪ɣ ˈt̪ɔːpan meaning The Little Bay) is a resort town within the Argyll and Bute council area of Scotland. Despite its small size, it is the largest town between Helensburgh and Fort William. During the tourist season, the town can have a temporary population of up to over 24,000 people. Oban occupies a setting in the Firth of Lorn. The bay forms a near perfect horseshoe, protected by the island of Kerrera; and beyond Kerrera, the Isle of Mull.
ColonsayColonsay (ˈkɒlənzeɪ; Colbhasa; Colonsay) is an island in the Inner Hebrides of Scotland, located north of Islay and south of Mull. The ancestral home of Clan Macfie and the Colonsay branch of Clan MacNeil, it is in the council area of Argyll and Bute and has an area of . Aligned on a south-west to north-east axis, it measures in length and reaches at its widest point. The Colonsay Group, which takes its name from the island, is an estimated sequence of mildly metamorphosed Neoproterozoic sedimentary rocks that also outcrop on the islands of Islay and Oronsay and the surrounding seabed.
GighaGigha (ˈɡiːə; Giogha; Gigha) or the Isle of Gigha (and formerly Gigha Island) is an island off the west coast of Kintyre in Scotland. The island forms part of Argyll and Bute and has a population of 163 people. The climate is mild with higher than average sunshine hours and the soils are fertile. The main settlement is Ardminish. Gigha has been inhabited continuously since prehistoric times. It may have had an important role during the Kingdom of Dalriada and is the ancestral home of Clan MacNeill.
Outer HebridesThe Outer Hebrides (ˈhɛbrɪdiːz) or Western Isles (Na h-Eileanan Siar nə ˈhelanən ˈʃiəɾ or Na h-Eileanan an Iar nə ˈhelanən əˈɲiəɾ or Na h-Innse Gall ("islands of the strangers"); Waster Isles), sometimes known as the Long Isle/Long Island (An t-Eilean Fada), is an island chain off the west coast of mainland Scotland. The islands are geographically coextensive with Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, one of the 32 unitary council areas of Scotland.
GaelsThe Gaels (ɡeɪlz ; Na Gaeil n̪ɣə ˈɡeːlj; Na Gàidheil nə ˈkɛː.al; Ny Gaeil nə ˈɡeːl) are an ethnolinguistic group native to Ireland, Scotland and the Isle of Man. They are associated with the Gaelic languages: a branch of the Celtic languages comprising Irish, Manx and Scottish Gaelic. Gaelic language and culture originated in Ireland, extending to Dál Riata in western Scotland. In antiquity, the Gaels traded with the Roman Empire and also raided Roman Britain.
Isle of MullThe Isle of Mull (An t-Eilean Muileach əɲ ˈtjhelan ˈmuləx) or just Mull (mʌl; Muile ˈmulə) is the second-largest island of the Inner Hebrides (after Skye) and lies off the west coast of Scotland in the council area of Argyll and Bute. Covering , Mull is the fourth-largest island in Scotland and Great Britain. From 2001 to 2020, the population has gradually increased: during 2020 the populace was estimated to be 3,000, in the 2011 census it was approximately 2,800, and in 2001, it was measured at 2,667 people.
ArgyllArgyll (ɑrˈɡaɪl; archaically Argyle, Earra-Ghàidheal in modern Gaelic, ˈaːrɣəɣɛː.əl̪ɣ), sometimes called Argyllshire, is a historic county and registration county of western Scotland. Argyll is of ancient origin, and broadly corresponds to the ancient kingdom of Dál Riata less the parts which were in Ireland. Argyll was also a medieval bishopric with its cathedral at Lismore, as well as an early modern earldom, elevated to become a dukedom in 1701 with the creation of the Duke of Argyll.
Argyll and ButeArgyll and Bute (Argyll an Buit; Earra-Ghàidheal agus Bòd, ɛrɣəˈɣɛːəlɣ̪ akəs̪ ˈpɔːtj) is one of 32 unitary council areas in Scotland and a lieutenancy area. The current lord-lieutenant for Argyll and Bute is Jane Margaret MacLeod (14 July 2020). The administrative centre for the council area is in Lochgilphead at Kilmory Castle, a 19th-century Gothic Revival building and estate. The current council leader is Robin Currie, a councillor for Kintyre and the Islands. Argyll and Bute covers the second-largest administrative area of any Scottish council.
BarraBarra (ˈbærə; Barraigh ˈparɣaj or Eilean Bharraigh ˈelan ˈvarɣaj; Barra) is an island in the Outer Hebrides, Scotland, and the second southernmost inhabited island there, after the adjacent island of Vatersay to which it is connected by the Vatersay Causeway. The island is named after Saint Finbarr of Cork. In 2011, the population was 1,174. Gaelic is widely spoken, and at the 2011 Census, there were 761 Gaelic speakers (62% of the population).
IonaIona (aɪˈoʊnə; Ì Chaluim Chille ˈiː ˈxal̪ɣɪm ˈçiʎə, sometimes simply Ì; Iona) is a small island in the Inner Hebrides, off the Ross of Mull on the western coast of Scotland. It is mainly known for Iona Abbey, though there are other buildings on the island. Iona Abbey was a centre of Gaelic monasticism for three centuries and is today known for its relative tranquility and natural environment. It is a tourist destination and a place for spiritual retreats. Its modern Scottish Gaelic name means "Iona of (Saint) Columba" (formerly anglicised as "Icolmkill").
