Clairinsh
Encyclopedia
Clairinsh or Clairinch is an island in Loch Lomond
, central Scotland.
Just east of Inchcailloch, Clairinsh is flat: just 13 m at its highest point, and 0.45 km long. The word clàr refers to a flat surface, such as a board or table. From above, the outline of the island bears a remarkable resemblance to a fish.
gave Clairinch to Absolon/Anselan of Buchanan, the son of the King of Ulster. The island became associated with that family. It was a meeting place of Clan Buchanan
, and "Clàr-Innis!" was their slogan or battle cry. His yearly rent was one pound of wax.
Clairinsh was purchased in 1682 by the Third Duke of Montrose
, and it remained the property of this family for the next two hundred and fifty years. In 1934 the Clan Buchanan
acquired it for the Buchanan Society. In 1958 Clairinsh was declared as the first part of a National Nature Reserve under an agreement with the Buchanan Society/landowner.
There is a crannog
off Clairinch, called "Keppinch" or "The Kitchen", where Roman pottery has been found.
Loch Lomond
Loch Lomond is a freshwater Scottish loch, lying on the Highland Boundary Fault. It is the largest lake in Great Britain by surface area. The lake contains many islands, including Inchmurrin, the largest fresh-water island in the British Isles, although the lake itself is smaller than many Irish...
, central Scotland.
Just east of Inchcailloch, Clairinsh is flat: just 13 m at its highest point, and 0.45 km long. The word clàr refers to a flat surface, such as a board or table. From above, the outline of the island bears a remarkable resemblance to a fish.
History
In 1225, the Third Earl of LennoxEarl of Lennox
The Mormaer of Lennox or Earl of Lennox was the ruler of the long-lasting provincial Mormaerdom/Earldom of Lennox in the Medieval Kingdom of the Scots. The first Mormaer is usually regarded as Ailin I , but the genealogy of the Mormaers gives earlier names...
gave Clairinch to Absolon/Anselan of Buchanan, the son of the King of Ulster. The island became associated with that family. It was a meeting place of Clan Buchanan
Clan Buchanan
Clan Buchanan is an Armigerous Scottish clan whose origins are said to lie in the 1225 grant of lands on the eastern shore of Loch Lomond to clergyman Sir Absalon of Buchanan by the Earl of Lennox.-Origins:...
, and "Clàr-Innis!" was their slogan or battle cry. His yearly rent was one pound of wax.
Clairinsh was purchased in 1682 by the Third Duke of Montrose
Duke of Montrose
The title of Duke of Montrose was created twice in the peerage of Scotland, firstly in 1488 for David Lindsay, 5th Earl of Crawford. It was forfeited and then returned, but only for the period of the holder's lifetime...
, and it remained the property of this family for the next two hundred and fifty years. In 1934 the Clan Buchanan
Clan Buchanan
Clan Buchanan is an Armigerous Scottish clan whose origins are said to lie in the 1225 grant of lands on the eastern shore of Loch Lomond to clergyman Sir Absalon of Buchanan by the Earl of Lennox.-Origins:...
acquired it for the Buchanan Society. In 1958 Clairinsh was declared as the first part of a National Nature Reserve under an agreement with the Buchanan Society/landowner.
There is a crannog
Crannog
A crannog is typically a partially or entirely artificial island, usually built in lakes, rivers and estuarine waters of Scotland and Ireland. Crannogs were used as dwellings over five millennia from the European Neolithic Period, to as late as the 17th/early 18th century although in Scotland,...
off Clairinch, called "Keppinch" or "The Kitchen", where Roman pottery has been found.
External links
- Buchanan, including island information
- Another clan site including island information
- http://www.lochlomond-islands.com/
- Article which mentions it