Cara Island
| Gaelic name |
 Cara |
|---|---|
| Meaning of name | may be "Kari's island" or "dearest" |
| Location | |
  Cara Island Cara Island shown within Argyll and Bute | |
| OS grid reference | NR639440 |
| Physical geography | |
| Island group | Islay |
| Area | 66 hectares (0.25 sq mi) |
| Area rank | 178= [1] |
| Highest elevation | 56 metres (184 ft) |
| Political geography | |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Country | Scotland |
| Council area | Argyll and Bute |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 0 |
 | |
| References | [2][3][4][5] |
Cara Island (Scottish Gaelic: Cara, pronounced [kʰaɾə]) is a small island which is located off the west coast of Kintyre in Scotland.
Geography and etymology
Cara is 1 kilometre (0.6 mi) south of Gigha. It is accessible from Gigha, if you can find a local boatman who will take you over. The best view from the mainland is from the beach opposite Beachmenach Farm, about half way between Tayinloan and Muasdale.
Cara has a translation in Gaelic as "dearest" or "dear one". Cara is a popular girl's name in the local area and in Scotland in general.
History
Cara is owned by Mr MacDonald Lockhart of Kintyre[6] and is reputed to be the only island still in the possession of a direct descendant of the Lords of the Isles.[7]
The only habitable building on the island is Cara House,[7] but that is derelict.[6]
The liner Aska was sunk on 22 September 1940 on rocks northwest of the island after being struck by German bombers.
Wildlife
Cara is well known for a herd of feral goats, which still thrive on the wild landscape.
Mythology
Cara is famous as the home of the Uruisg/broonie, the familiar spirit of the Macdonald of Largie family. A rock formation known as the Broonie's Chair is found at the extreme southern tip of the island. It is said that the Broonie may grant a secret wish made when you sit in his chair.
References
- ↑ Area and population ranks: there are c. 300 islands >20ha in extent and 93 permanently inhabited islands were listed in the 2011 census.
- ↑ 2001 UK Census per List of islands of Scotland
- ↑ Haswell-Smith, Hamish (2004). The Scottish Islands. Edinburgh: Canongate. ISBN 978-1-84195-454-7.
- ↑ Get-a-map (Map). Ordnance Survey.
- ↑ Anderson, Joseph (Ed.) (1893) Orkneyinga Saga. Translated by Jón A. Hjaltalin & Gilbert Goudie. Edinburgh. James Thin and Mercat Press (1990 reprint). ISBN 0-901824-25-9
- 1 2 Cara House at britishlistedbuildings.co.uk, accessed 30 October 2012
- 1 2 "The Island of Cara". Kintyre on Record. Retrieved 3 May 2011.
External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Cara Island. |
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Coordinates: 55°38′N 5°45′W / 55.633°N 5.750°W