Lismore, Scotland

Lismore

Scottish Gaelic name	Lios Mòrⓘ
Meaning of name	great garden or great enclosure
Location
Lismore Lismore shown within Argyll and Bute
OS grid reference	NM840408
Coordinates	56°31′N 5°30′W / 56.52°N 5.5°W / 56.52; -5.5
Physical geography
Island group	Inner Hebridies
Area	2,351 ha (5,810 acres)
Area rank	33 [1]
Highest elevation	Barr Mòr, 127 m (417 ft)
Administration
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Country	Scotland
Council area	Argyll and Bute
Demographics
Population	192[2]
Population rank	34 [1]
Population density	8.2/km2 (21/sq mi)[2][3]
Largest settlement	Achnacroish
References	[3][4]

Lismore (Scottish Gaelic: Lios Mòr, pronounced [ʎis̪ ˈmoːɾ] possibly meaning "great enclosure" or "garden") is an island of some 2,351 hectares (9.1 square miles) in the Inner Hebrides of Scotland. The climate is damp and mild, with over 166 centimetres (65 in) of rain recorded annually. This fertile, low-lying island was once a major centre of Celtic Christianity, with a 6th-century monastery associated with Saint Moluag, and later became the seat of the medieval Bishop of Argyll. There are numerous ruined structures, including a broch and two 13th-century castles.

During the 19th century, various new industries were introduced, including lime quarrying. During the early decades of the 20th century, the population exceeded 1,000, but this was followed by a lengthy decline. Although resident numbers are now less than 200, there was a small increase from 2001 to 2011. About a third of the population were recorded as Gaelic-speaking at the former date. The modern economy is largely based on farming, fishing and tourism, and the largest settlement is Achnacroish. Various shipwrecks have been recorded in the vicinity.