islands clyde islands fifth largest major scottish island groups inner situated islands inhabited larger hectares acres largest populous served dedicated ferry routes unlike larger scottish isles group connected mainland bridges geology area complex islands surrounding sea distinctive features influence atlantic_ocean create mild damp oceanic climate larger islands continuously inhabited times influenced emergence kingdom absorbed emerging kingdom experienced norse incursions early middle ages 13th century diversity wildlife including species rare endemic tree geology geography runs past northern geological perspective islands highlands result referred scotland miniature island popular destination come rocks ranging widely age visiting found example spot famous places study geology group weakly rocks form lie highland boundary fault prominent lies kilometres south rare type micro granite containing known stones stones use granite island common rest scotland covered ice sheets pleistocene ice ages landscape affected highest peaks time retreat ice sea level changes rise land makes charting post glacial coastlines complex task resultant raised beaches prominent feature entire coastline soils islands reflect diverse geology productive land pattern deposits typical southwest scotland mixture boulder clay glacial deposits eroded valleys raised beach marine deposits especially south west result landscape places inland sandy bays island lie north numerous branching substantial features right include estuary places effect pronounced example metres deep kilometres apart islands exposed wind tide act aid navigation climate clyde lies degrees north latitude canada north influence northern extension winter weather area enjoys mild damp oceanic climate temperatures generally cool averaging january july sea level snow seldom lies sea level generally frequent mainland common islands west coast scotland rainfall generally high south north mountains receiving annually june july months upwards hours bright sunshine recorded average southern particularly high level sunny days history humans arrived clyde fourth millennium probably ireland followed wave peoples route evidence significant route mainland scotland time particular style structure developed clyde estuary western scotland known clyde rectangular shape small chamber faced large stone set end subdivided smaller compartments area displays rituals associated dead placed inside chambers concentrated likely clyde earliest forms monument constructed incoming settlers examples given dating example dated certainly built earlier possibly numerous standing stones dating prehistoric times including stone circles examples settlers constructed sites dating second millennium replaced burial found example settlement evidence especially early era poor queen inch necklace article jewellery jet found dates circa early culture held sway evidence roman occupation southern scotland extended islands early scots rule 2nd century irish influence work region 6th century kingdom established unlike celtic speaking spoke form survives efforts christianity slowly supplanted flourished time late fifth century viking incursions commenced late eighth century islands close shores modern remained period whilst main islands emerging kingdom founded viking influence islands clyde historically formed border zone norse dominated scotland islands fell norwegian 9th 13th centuries norse influence constant warfare western scotland outer remained control isle man south islands clyde kingdom controlled began process islands language culture norse death kingdom split sons islands angus holding nearly century later invading norse forces took walls axes troops commanded repeated feat ensuing battle scots norse forces took place shores inconclusive military contest marked ultimately terminal weakening norse power scotland retreated died december entertained death bed following ill fated expedition rights norwegian crown old relation islands yielded result treaty perth modern scotland mid thirteenth century present day islands clyde remained scotland commencement early medieval period isles diocese man based seat relocated north firstly state affairs continued 16th century scottish reformation century following time significant change new forms transport industry agriculture brought sweeping changes end traditional ways life endured centuries aftermath marked beginning end clan system whilst marked improvements living standards came cost early 19th century alexander 10th duke hamilton embarked programme devastating effect population villages removed culture island dealt terminal blow memorial early form ethnic constructed shore paid canadian descendant 1850s late 20th century famous islands carrying kinds produce products islands formed operate steamer services soon expanded taking rival steamer operators operated glasgow steamer service 20th century islands developed tourist resorts went parallel mainland resorts commenced joint clyde operations new publicly owned company serve running mainland mainland ferries private companies operate services hunter peninsula majority islands time traditional county today islands split equally modern authorities falling council areas islands following table gives list islands area greater hectares approximately acres plus adjacent smaller tidal separated higher stages tide exposed lower stages tide islands inhabited including residents respectively time census usually resident population outlying islands lie remote larger islands listed separately location small hosts naval base home nuclear submarines southern end opens narrows contains sound lies peninsula contains late 11th century king norway arrangement king scotland possession land west coast ship sail dragged kilometres long north west campaign increase possessions declared better land best taking command ship sailing able claim entire peninsula island remained norse rule dozen years result extends kilometres inland longest scotland sea contains found surrounding lies coast near housed old excellent spring water june set fire turf pasture permanently destroyed island grazing blowing island soil sea like arms north contain islands non islands following places shores islands misleading names island cove north south south bay north natural history populations red deer red common offshore harbour sharks species home population wild goats species bird recorded area including black falcon golden eagle reported extensive surveys unable record similarly red billed longer breeds island rare endemic species tree scottish cut endangered tree species world found protected national nature reserve monitored staff cut recorded mature trees discovered steps taken protect known specimens etymology roman historian refers meaning clyde certain probably literal meaning wash probably refers idea river goddess strongly flowing uncertain norse old irish word fire possibly reference signal fires etymology clear offers meaning high place watson suggests pre celtic
Islands of the Clyde