The Isle of Luing
The islands of Luing, Seil and Easdale, collectively known as "the Slate Islands", lie nestled in close to the West Coast of Scotland, south of Oban. Access from the mainland is by Thomas Telford's "Bridge over the Atlantic".
The islands have been inhabited since prehistoric times and the centuries of inhabitants have left their mark on Luing with prehistoric earthworks, iron age fortresses, the church of St Cathan at Kilchatten, and the ruined slate village of Port Mary. There are now around 200 inhabitants on Luing, mostly living in the picturesque villages of Cullipool and Toberonochy. Many residents now are engaged in fishing and farming - the Luing breed of cattle originates here, and can be seen around the island.
The island is roughly six miles long and a mile wide, and features a serious of low ridges running north-south the length of the island. The beaches are mainly slate , and there are many viewpoints of note on the island, including its highest point which offers views out to Mull, Scarba, the Garvellachs and even Islay and Colonsay on a clear day.
