Ardnamurchan

Strictly speaking, Ardnamurchan covers only the peninsula beyond the villages of Salen (in the south) and Acharacle (in the north), but nowadays the term is also used more generally to include the neighbouring districts of Sunart, Ardgour, Morvern, and even Moidart{{citation needed|date=May 2016}} (which was part of the former county of Inverness-shire, not Argyll).

Image:Ardnamurchan point.jpg

Ardnamurchan Point, which has the {{convert|36|m|ft|0|adj=mid|-tall}} Ardnamurchan Lighthouse built on it, is commonly described as the most westerly point of the British mainland although Corrachadh Mòr, a kilometre to the south, is a few metres farther west.

The north western corner of Ardnamurchan consists of a lopolith (previously interpreted as a ring dyke) that has been exposed at the surface.B. O'Driscoll, V.R. Troll, R.J. Reavy and P. Turner; 2005, The Great Eucrite intrusion of Ardnamurchan, Scotland: Reevaluating the ring-dike concept, Geology, v. 34 no. 3 p. 189-192 Evidence for such a structure can be identified from the phenocrysts in the rock exposures around the area of interest which show plagioclase crystals aligned towards the centre of the complex, an alignment caused by magmatic flow within a lopolith. Relatively small areas of lava that were ejected onto the surface are found in some parts of the peninsula, close to the inner edges of the area of interest. The sub-concentric rings of the geologic structure can easily be seen in satellite photographs and on topographic maps, though they are less obvious on the ground. At least seven other similar complexes of the same tectonic episode exist along the west coast of Britain, and these are popular sites for many university geological training courses.

Adomnan of Iona records St Columba visiting the peninsula in the 6th century, and gives the impression that it was settled by Irish Gaels at that time. He records three instances of signs performed by Columba on the peninsula.

Adomnan records in one instance that Columba prophesied to his companions the death of Kings Báetán mac Muirchertaig and Eochaid mac Domnaill before news arrived the same day at a place called 'paradise bay' to tell them the news. In the second instance, which is said to have occurred in an unnamed rocky spot in the interior, the parents of a boy brought their child to Columba to be baptized but no water could be found, and Columba prayed to God and water miraculously came out of a nearby rock and he prophesied that the child would live a sinful life and later be a saint.Adomnan of Iona. Life of St Columba. (trans. by Richard Sharpe) Penguin books, 1995

In the third instance, which took place at a spot Adomnan called 'Sharp bay', there was a wicked man named Ioan mac Conaill maic Domnaill who was related to the Cenél nGabraín, and this man attacked Columba's friend and plundered his goods. Columba met this wicked man and called on him to repent, but he didn't listen and instead boarded his boat with the stolen goods. Columba then followed the boat, wading into the water up to his knees and prayed to God. He then prophesied to his companions that this man and his boat were going to meet with disaster on the sea, and according to Adomnan, the boat was sunk before reaching land with Ioan drowning at sea along with his stolen goods.

Donaldson{{cite book |last=Donaldson |first=M.E.M. |year=1923 |title=Wanderings in the Western Highlands and Islands: Recounting Highland & Clan History, Traditions, Ecclesiology, Archaeology, Romance, Literature, Humour, Folk-Lore, Etc. |location=Paisley |publisher=A. Gardner |edition=2nd rev. |oclc=858596051 |url=https://archive.org/details/wanderingsinwestdona}} identifies "Buarblaig" (now referred to as Bourblaige, about {{convert|5|mi|km|0|abbr=off}} east of Kilchoan on the other side of Ben Hiant, {{gbmapping|NM546623}}{{cite web| url=http://canmore.rcahms.gov.uk/en/site/90622/details/ardnamurchan+bourblaige/| title=Site Record for Ardnamurchan, Bourblaige| website=Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland| access-date=25 January 2015| archive-date=28 January 2015| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150128115516/http://canmore.rcahms.gov.uk/en/site/90622/details/ardnamurchan+bourblaige/| url-status=live}}) with Muribulg, where the Annals of Tigernach record a battle between the Picts and the Dalriads in 731. It may also be the 'Muirbole Paradisi' mentioned by Adomnán. Although its stone foundations still remain, the village of Bourblaige no longer exists, as it was destroyed in the Highland Clearances in the early 19th century.{{cite web |url=http://www.scotlandsplaces.gov.uk/search_item/index.php?service=RCAHMS&id=90622 |author= |title=Ardnamurchan, Bourblaige |website=ScotlandsPlaces |access-date=16 June 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120908191350/http://www.scotlandsplaces.gov.uk/search_item/index.php?service=RCAHMS&id=90622 |archive-date=8 September 2012 }}

According to early twentieth-century tradition in Ardnamurchan, two battles were fought in the bays between Gortenfern ({{gbmapping|NM 608 689}}) and Sgeir a' Chaolais ({{gbmapping|NM 623 702}}). Archaeological finds in the vicinity of Cul na Croise ({{gbmapping|NM 622 698}})—a bay between Sgeir a Chaolais and Sgeir nam Meann—consist of spears, daggers, arrow-heads, and a coin dating to the reign of Edward I, King of England. These artefacts could indicate that Cul na Croise was the site of conflict fought in the context of the strife between Edward I's representative, Alasdair Óg Mac Domhnaill, and the Clann Ruaidhrí brothers, Lachlann Mac Ruaidhrí and Ruaidhrí Mac Ruaidhrí. According to tradition, one of the battles fought in the area concerned a certain "Red Rover", and another fought nearby concerned an Irishman named "Duing" or "Dewing".{{cite journal |last=Lethbridge |first=TC |author-link=T. C. Lethbridge |year=1924–1925 |title=Battle Site in Gorten Bay, Kentra, Ardnamurchan |url=https://archaeologydataservice.ac.uk/catalogue/adsdata/arch-352-1/dissemination/pdf/vol_059/59_105_113.pdf |volume=59 |journal=Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland |pages=105–113 |doi=10.9750/PSAS.059.105.108 |s2cid=251800892 |via=Archaeology Data Service |access-date=13 January 2018 |archive-date=1 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230701003412/https://archaeologydataservice.ac.uk/archiveDS/archiveDownload?t=arch-352-1/dissemination/pdf/vol_059/59_105_113.pdf |url-status=live }} Relics of a Viking ship burial in Cul na Croise have been given to the West Highland Museum at Fort William.{{cite web |author= |title=Site Record for Ardnamurchan, Gortenfern, Sgeir A' Chaolais; Gorten Bay |url=http://canmore.rcahms.gov.uk/en/site/22495/ |website=Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland |access-date=17 April 2009 |archive-date=23 December 2012 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20121223194734/http://canmore.rcahms.gov.uk/en/site/22495/ |url-status=live }} The bays of Cul na Croise and Camas an Lighe are in {{gbmapping|NM6269}}.

In 2011, a Viking ship burial, probably from the 10th century, was unearthed at Port an Eilean Mhòir on Ardnamurchan. Grave goods buried alongside a Viking warrior found in the boat suggest he was a high-ranking warrior. The Ardnamurchan Viking was found buried with an axe, a sword with a decorated hilt, a spear, a shield boss and a bronze ring pin. Other finds in the {{convert|5|m|ft|abbr=off|adj=mid|-long}} grave in Ardnamurchan included a knife, what could be the tip of a bronze drinking horn, a whetstone from Norway, a ring pin from Ireland and Viking Age pottery.{{cite news |author= |title=Ardnamurchan Viking boat burial discovery 'a first' |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-15333852 |newspaper=BBC News Highlands & Islands |date=19 October 2011 |access-date=25 January 2015 |archive-date=19 October 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111019093507/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-15333852 |url-status=live }}

File:Welcome To West Ardnamurchan.jpg

The population of the whole peninsula is around 2,000. Historically part of the former county of Argyll, it is now part of the Lochaber ward management area of the Highland local authority.

Villages in Ardnamurchan:

• Acharacle ({{lang|gd|Àth Tharracail}})
• Achnaha ({{lang|gd|Achadh na h-Àtha}})
• Glenborrodale ({{lang|gd|Gleann Bhorghdail}})
• Kilchoan ({{lang|gd|Cille Chòmhghain}})
• Kilmory ({{lang|gd|Cill Mhóire}})
• Laga ({{lang|gd|Làga}})
• Ockle ({{lang|gd|Ocal}})
• Portuairk ({{lang|gd|Port Uairce}})
• Salen ({{lang|gd|An t-Sàilean}})
• Sanna ({{lang|gd|Sanna}})

Ardnamurchan has one of the highest concentrations of Scottish Gaelic speakers on the mainland, with 19.3% of the local population able to speak the language. The peninsula is also home to an annual Mòd, an eisteddfod-like festival and series of contests celebrating the Gaelic language, its culture, music, and literature.[https://www.pressreader.com/uk/the-oban-times/20180621/282505774320033 Ardnamurchan Mòd Remembers Stalwart] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220227033845/https://www.pressreader.com/uk/the-oban-times/20180621/282505774320033 |date=27 February 2022 }} by Neil Bo Finlayson, The Oban Times, 21 June 2018.

Ardnamurchan has also been the home to a number of important figures in Scottish Gaelic literature.

Prior to his involvement in the Jacobite rising of 1745, the legendary Gaelic poet Alasdair mac Mhaighstir Alasdair worked as schoolmaster for the Society in Scotland for Propagating Christian Knowledge in Kilchoan, where his father had previously served as Rector for the Jacobite and High Church Non-Juring Anglican Communion.

Dr John MacLachlan, the author of {{lang|gd|Dìreadh a-mach ri Beinn Shianta}}, a poem on the Ardnamurchan Clearances, is unusual for his outspoken criticism of the Anglo-Scottish landlords responsible for the evictions.{{cite book|last1=McGeachy|first1=Robert|title=Argyll, 1730-1850: Commerce, Community and Culture|publisher=John Donald|isbn=9780859766203|page=264|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OKJnAAAAMAAJ&q=Direadh+a-mach+ri+Beinn+Shianta|access-date=6 May 2017|language=en|date=1 January 2005|archive-date=1 July 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230701003355/https://books.google.com/books?id=OKJnAAAAMAAJ&q=Direadh+a-mach+ri+Beinn+Shianta|url-status=live}} The poem influenced Somhairle MacGill-Eain, who wrote a poem to its author.{{cite web|last1=An Dotair MacLachlainn|title=Somhairle MacGill-Eain Air-loidhne|url=http://www.sorleymaclean.org/bardachd/a/an_dotair_maclachlainn.htm|website=www.sorleymaclean.org|access-date=6 May 2017|archive-date=5 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305071259/http://www.sorleymaclean.org/bardachd/a/an_dotair_maclachlainn.htm|url-status=live}}

Ardnamurchan distillery is a Scotch whisky distillery located on the peninsula.{{cite book |last=Maclean |first=Charles |date=2016 |title=Whiskypedia. A Gazetteer of Scotch Whisky |location=Edinburgh |publisher= Birlinn|pages=73–74 |isbn=978-1-78027-401-0}}

Image:Sanas.jpg

The peninsula has its own shinty team, Ardnamurchan Camanachd.

Rare species such as the wildcat, pine marten, golden eagle and white-tailed eagle can be seen in Ardnamurchan.{{citation needed|date=October 2018}}

Ardnamurchan is wild and unspoiled. Ardnamurchan Point, adjacent to the most westerly point on the British mainland, has a lighthouse and a view from a sheer rock face of the open Atlantic Ocean. The northern part of Ardnamurchan forms part of the Morar, Moidart and Ardnamurchan National Scenic Area,{{cite web|url=http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Environment/Countryside/Heritage/Areas/maps|title=National Scenic Areas - Maps|publisher=SNH|date=20 December 2010|access-date=14 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612140337/http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Environment/Countryside/Heritage/Areas/maps|archive-date=12 June 2018}} one of 40 such areas in Scotland, which are defined so as to identify areas of exceptional scenery and to ensure their protection by restricting certain forms of development.{{cite web|url=https://www.nature.scot/professional-advice/safeguarding-protected-areas-and-species/protected-areas/national-designations/national-scenic-areas/|title=National Scenic Areas|publisher=Scottish Natural Heritage|access-date=14 May 2018|archive-date=18 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180118010614/https://www.nature.scot/professional-advice/safeguarding-protected-areas-and-species/protected-areas/national-designations/national-scenic-areas|url-status=live}}

• The geologist Donald Duff FRSE (1927–98) bought a house there after surveying the area in the 1950s.
• The button box accordion player, Fergie MacDonald, is from the area.
• The preacher J. Douglas MacMillan came from Ardnamurchan.
• The cameraman, CBeebies presenter and Strictly contestant Hamza Yassin has lived in the area for 12 years{{Cite web |date=10 November 2022 |title='I'd rather face a polar bear than step on the dancefloor': Strictly's Hamza Yassin on salsa, Scotland and singledom |url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2022/nov/10/id-rather-face-a-polar-bear-than-step-on-the-dancefloor-strictlys-hamza-yassin-on-salsa-scotland-and-singledom |access-date=25 November 2022 |website=the Guardian |language=en |archive-date=25 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221125091705/https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2022/nov/10/id-rather-face-a-polar-bear-than-step-on-the-dancefloor-strictlys-hamza-yassin-on-salsa-scotland-and-singledom |url-status=live }}

• List of listed buildings in Ardnamurchan

{{reflist}}

{{oscoor gbx|NM 56462 67273}}

• [http://www.ardnamurchan.com/ Ardnamurchan Tourist Association]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20130312015106/http://ardnamurchan.grahamolley.com/ All about Ardnamurchan]

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Category:National scenic areas of Scotland

Category:Sites of Special Scientific Interest in South Lochaber

Category:Volcanoes of Scotland

Category:Eocene volcanoes

Category:Extinct volcanoes of Europe

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Category:Highland Estates

Category:Parishes in Argyll