Walk around Inchcailloch Island
Date: 01 June 2025
Leader: Trish
Grade: C
Number on walk: 18.
Length 5 km. Ascent 150 m.
Hills climbed: None.
Click here for GPX track of the walk
Boarding the ferry to take us from Balmaha to Inchcailloch in the sunshine
Inchcailleach means "the island of the old women" and is thought to have been named because a community of nuns once lived there. However, there is no historical record or structural remains of such a community. The term "nun" (meaning "cowled woman") aligns with an early meaning of "cailleach" and fits the place-name's plural form. If the name referred to Saint Kentigerna, who lived there as a recluse and died in 733, a singular form like Inch na Cailliche might be expected.
Our first stop was at the ruined church and graveyard
The church was probably built in the first half of the 13th century and was used as the parish church of Inchcailloch until 1621, when it was aboandoned, although burials were taking place in the graveyard until 1947.
We had our lunch at Port Bawn at the south end of the island
The beach at Port Bawn
After lunch we climbed Tom na Nigheanan the highest point on the island (85 m.)
The view of Loch Lomond and Beinn Dubh from Tom na Nigheanan
Sunshine while walking through the woodland near the North Pier
Sadly, it was raining as we returned to Balmaha