The team is scheduled to meet in Edinburgh on April 18 to consolidate work for the current Scheduled Monument Consent and to chart the completion of that work.  In addition, we will prioritize recommendations for on-going preservation work.

We will plan a visit to the island on the 19th and/or 20th ... with no particular goals, but perhaps to resolve any questions that arise on the 18th.

We have had a great interaction with Greig Morris of Aye in the Sky on the Eilean a Vow quadcopter modeling.   Since we had a little momentum and the visibility seems right, we asked John Duncan for permission to flyover Inveruglas and he has agreed.  Greg will watch for the right lighting and weather conditions and, hopefully, will capture some great photos in the next week or two.  Even though our charter is for Eilean a Vow, this seemed like an opportunity for Macfarlanes that we shouldn't miss.  Of course, all the modeling work and travel is covered by The Board and no donated funds are used.

As mentioned,  the preservation work recommended by the experts is extensive and there will be plenty of opportunity for good use of donations in future.

Thanks for your on-going support!

Based on our research on the etymology of Elanvow / Eilean a Vow, we have officially changed our name!  We have registered to do business as The Elanvow Preservation Fund even though our legal name, Ellan Vhow Preservation Fund, remains.  EIN 46-0871085

"Elanvow" is the name as written in the 13th and 14th century charters.

Of the many forms of the name over the years,  Ellan Vhow, now seems the least correct, if not just incorrect.  In fact, our Scottish Gaelic translator said that spelling made her 'blood curdle". :-)   As noted earlier, we originally chose that spelling based on the RCAHMS spelling and to chose a relatively unique spelling.  We want to avoid propagation of the Ellan Vhow form and will stop using that.   We will even try to remove/correct past references using the Ellan Vhow form (... not in the Hatshepsut sense ... we will keep reference to the former name ... but we do not want our prior use of that form to promote it's use.)

Follow "What's In A Name?" for on-going research on the island's name.  We feel Eilean a Vow (or any Vow form) and Elanvow have solid basis as legitimate forms. 

Ainmean-Àite na h-Alba has agreed that it is appropriate to list both "Eilean a' Bhogha" and "Eilean a' Bhùth" as the most likely Gaelic forms.  Eilean a' Bhùth was documented after the island was used as store of sorts in the very late 17th century, but we still feel this is a later use.  The island was also clearly call Eilean Ure (The New Island) at one point, but no one claims that to be a potential Gaelic translation of Elanvow.)  We will post the expert Scottish Gaelic pronunciations of each on the Home page and listeners can decide which was more likely written as "Elanvow" in the charters.

Thanks for your on-going support!