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References for various names of Elanvow over time
Please share any references or information you may have that may help clarify the historical names of Island I Vow at Info@EllanVhow.org. |
Elanvow, Ellan Vhow, Eilean A Vow, Island I Vow...
The 13th and 14th century charters (1225?, 1354?, 1395) explicitly write "Elanvow" in legally granting title to the island. For example, among the Latin "cum insulis de Elanvow, ...' or "with the islands Elanvow, ...". We originally chose Ellan Vhow for our name based on the form given in the Royal Commission on Ancient and Historic Monuments (RCAHMS) and the old form in the charters. We have come to learn that Eilean A Vow is the more natural and more correct form.
Elan, Ellan, Eilean all clearly mean "island". The meaning of "Vow" is more elusive.
Pont mapped the area in the late 16th century and consistently provided phonetic annotations. His map show the island (with a tower on it) as "ylina Vow" where the "y" tends to be pronounced between long A and long E and this is the pronunciation of Eilean A Vow. In accompanying text, he also show "ylen-ow" ...also intriguing.
Based on earlier interactions with Simon Taylor and Bill Patterson (2012) of Glasgow University and The Scottish Place Names Society respectively, we had preferred to translate this as "The island of the Sunken Rock or Breaker Rock". Dr. Taylor's analysis suggests that "vow" may refer to a "malicious water sprite" or sense of foreboding ...associated with dangerous tidal rocks, submerged rocks and reefs. (The East and West Vows, for example). This could refer to the submerged bedrock at the south end of the island ... serving as a warning to mariners in the Loch... but there is another relevant theory as well and some new (2016) evidence below to support it. Would the island have been given a name as a warning of a submerged rock or as an aid to navigation?
The island was referred to by some as Eilean A Bhuth ... Island of the Store ... from the 18th century onward. The island was reportedly used for storage and a resident would bring over provisions via boat to sell to the locals. There were certainly stories of the island's cellar being used for storage after the chief's residence moved to the mainland in the late 17th century, but the island was listed as "Elanvow" in the 14th century. If "vow" implies "store", it would have had to be significant as a "store" in the 14th century. It is credible that the island could have been used for storage long before the castle and cellar were built (1577), but would there be something unique enough about Island I Vow then to identify it as the Island of the Store and that would warrant naming it the Island of the Store? We believe Eilean a Bhuth was a unique name used only after the chiefs had moved to the mainland. See the home page for pronunciations. Although Vow might be a transcription of Bhuth, the sound also seems much different.
We also occasionally hear this referred to as the Island of the Cow ... usually based on the fact that the Macfarlanes were skilled cattle rustlers. While it is indisputable that the Macfarlanes were skilled cattle rustlers, it seems only local lore that "Vow" translates to "Cow". Bill Patterson clarifies that ...” I imagine that Dr Taylor will have pointed out the impossibility of the popular explanation in terms of Gaelic grammar: since bò is a feminine noun, the Gaelic for ‘island of the cow’ would be eilean na bà, keeping the sound of the b, not changing to the v sound that the genitive would have if the word were masculine." Experts at Ainmean-Àite na h-Alba, the Scottish governmental organization responsible for determining "the correct and appropriate Scottish Gaelic" place-names for maps, signs, and general use, have indicated that Eilean a' Bho is simply wrong. The experts seem to agree that Eilean A Vow is NOT "The Island of the Cow" ...even though this still seems to be a common notion locally. Also note that if listeners were hearing something like Eilean a Bho, they would be hearing vo ... with a long "o" ... much more like Bhogha.
(2013) Dr. Simon Taylor's analysis from the University of Glasgow and "PLACE-NAMES OF THE PARISH OF ARROCHAR", p11:
G eilean + ?
The first element is clearly Gaelic eilean ‘island’; the middle element (which does not occur in the earliest form, and so may have been later) is probably a reduced form of G definite article an. For the specific element, see PNF5, 524-5, Elements Glossary, under vow. The second (Gaelic) explanation given there could apply to the Loch Lomond Island I Vow. This can be paraphrased as follows. There are two sets of skerries (tidal rocks or reefs) along the Fife coast called East and West Vows: one set off the coast just south of Kirkcaldy, the other set off the coast at Earlsferry by Elie. W. J. Watson mentions “A malicious water sprite or hag is called a ‘vow’ in Easter Ross English” (2002 [1930], 235, cited in SND under vow). SND states that the origin of this word is obscure, but in an earlier work Watson himself derives it from G baobh or baogh (f.) ‘hag’ (OG badb), adding that the Easter Ross word ‘vow’ ‘specialised into the meaning of water-sprite, or possibly mermaid; in any case a malicious spirit’ (Watson 1904, 37). The initial /v/ here is simply lenited /b/ after the G feminine definite article (a’ bhaobh). It is just possible that the word was borrowed into east coast maritime Scots to refer to dangerous coastal reefs, and survives in the names of the two sets of skerries off the Fife coast.
(2012) From Taylor, Simon, with Gilbert Márkus, 2012, The Place-Names of Fife Vol. 5 (Discussion, Glossaries and Edited Texts, with Addenda and Corrigenda of Volumes 1–4) (Donington) [=PNF 5], 524-5:
"vow": No suggestion was advanced as to the origin of this element in the respective discussions in Vols. 1 and 3. Given that it applies only to large tidal rocks, it is fair enough to assume that this is what it meant in the language of the name-givers. While I can still offer no satisfactory explanation, the word may be connected in some way with ON boði (m.). The basic meaning of this word, cognate with English ‘bode’ (as in ‘that does not bode well’) and ‘foreboding’, is ‘messenger’. However, it is commonly used in a nautical context as “a breaker ‘boding’ hidden rocks” (Cleasby-Vigfusson), and as such it was borrowed into Hebridean Gaelic, as bodha (m.) ‘rock over which the waves break; breaker over sunken rocks’ (Dwelly), and has generated many names of such tidal rocks and skerries along the west coast from Kintyre northwards (appearing on older maps frequently as Bogha as well as Bodha). If vow is indeed derived from this word, then it is more likely to be from Norse, either directly (as are the Forth island-names Fidra, certainly, and May, probably) or indirectly by way of the English of the Danelaw. However, the initial consonant /v/ from an original /b/ cannot be explained by any recognised sound change within Scots, and thorough-going re-interpretation as Sc vow(e) ‘vow’ would need to be invoked.
A quite different derivation is suggested by the following remark by W. J. Watson: “A malicious water sprite or hag is called a ‘vow’ in Easter Ross English” (2002 [1930], 235, cited in SND under vow). SND states that the origin of this word is obscure, but in an earlier work Watson himself derives it from G baobh or baogh (f.) ‘hag’ (OG badb), adding that the Easter Ross word ‘vow’ ‘specialised into the meaning of water-sprite, or possibly mermaid; in any case a malicious spirit’ (Watson 1904, 37). The initial /v/ here is simply lenited /b/ after the G feminine definite article (a’ bhaobh). It is just possible that the word was borrowed into east coast maritime Scots to refer to dangerous coastal reefs, and survives in the names of the two sets of skerries off the Fife coast.
East Vows and West Vows KGH (396), with more early forms given in Add. & Corr. KGH Intro., this volume, below (Vol. 1). East Vows and West Vows ELI (Vol. 3).
Recent Discussions with Dr. Jacob King ...
(2016) Correspondence with Dr. Jacob King of Ainmean-Àite na h-Alba and the University of Edinburgh:
"My colleague Alison has passed on your query about Island I Vow. I am a researcher for Ainmean-Àite na h-Alba, the body responsible for supplying place-names for Gaelic signage: www.gaelicplacenames.org . As such I have responded to your query but trying to uncover the Gaelic form for this.
Eilean is the correct spelling of the Gaelic word for 'island' here. [...]
Ylina Vow c. 1591 Pont map
yl. na vow 1636-1652 Gordon map
Ilan a Bou, or the Booth isle 1701 Names of the Islands of Lochlomond in Irish and English 1701- Analecta Scotica 1834, p. 116
Eilean a’ Bhogha 1911 Dwelly
Eilean-a-Bhuth 1922 MacFarlane, J. History of the Clan MacFarlane, 15
Eilean a’ Bhùth Newton, M. 1999 Bho Chluaidh gu Calasraid
The 1701 reference you can see here: https://archive.org/stream/analectascotica02maidgoog#page/n134/mode/1up this is a list of names in 'Irish' (by which they mean Scottish Gaelic) with English/Scots translations. You see it is given as 'Booth isle' which surely refers to what would be in modern Gaelic as Eilean a' Bhùth.
It is also referred to as it as Eilean a' Bhùth here in the 1922 book: https://archive.org/stream/historyofclanmac00macf#page/n20/mode/1up
Dwelly's Gaelic dictionary gives Eilean a' Bhogha 'island of the sunken rock' but I think this is not correct because Dwelly's list is not always accurate in some cases. Secondly unless there is a conspicuous sunken rock next to the island it would not be appropriate. If there is though the the name may have some credence.
I hope this is of some use to you, it's certainly an interesting name"
[further, referring to Elanvow in the early charters]
"Well 'vow' is simply a scribe trying to write either Gaelic bhogha or bhùth in orthography he understands (in this case most likely Scots, even if the charter was in Latin). If the island is Eilean a' Bhogha it would be perfectly acceptable to write it as thus. Bogh or Bogha is a Gaelic word for a sunken island that was borrowed from Norse into Gaelic. As such it is a Gaelic word, saying it should not be translated is like saying the word 'telephone' should be written in Greek script, because it originally comes from Greek."
[and further]
"I would agree that the submerged rock theory does have credence, and it is perfectly possible the name started out as one thing and changed over time. It seems to have been understood in 1701 as bùth at least. [...] I would say if there is a tradition of a tolbooth in the area that would lean to bùth, but if there is a definite sunken rock right next to the island, that possibly made it dangerous for sailors to pass too closely then that would go towards bogha, but as I say it could have been both at different times."
Note that the reference to James Macfarlane's History of the Clan Macfarlane also supports the notion that the island may have been known by different names at different times:
"The island referred to in manifestly [E]ilean-a-vow, or Eilean-a-bhuth (island of the store or booth), as it was call later."
(Emphasis added.) It seems clear that James was noting that Eilean-a-bhuth was a later name.
We also do know that the island has had additional, separate names such as Eilean Ure (The New Island). Eilean a Vow may have been considered the "New Island" when the Chief moved his residence there after the burning of Inverulgas (mid-17th century), or it could have been considered new when the new, reportedly elegant, castle was built in 1577 for Andrew's mother. It is said that James I (James VI) was entertained on the island and the "new" castle may have been the preferred venue. In any case, "Ure" (Ùr) is clearly a later name and unrelated to the translation of "Vow". We suggest that "Bhùth" may also fit into this category.
The 13th and 14th century charters (1225?, 1354?, 1395) explicitly write "Elanvow" in legally granting title to the island. For example, among the Latin "cum insulis de Elanvow, ...' or "with the islands Elanvow, ...". We originally chose Ellan Vhow for our name based on the form given in the Royal Commission on Ancient and Historic Monuments (RCAHMS) and the old form in the charters. We have come to learn that Eilean A Vow is the more natural and more correct form.
Elan, Ellan, Eilean all clearly mean "island". The meaning of "Vow" is more elusive.
Pont mapped the area in the late 16th century and consistently provided phonetic annotations. His map show the island (with a tower on it) as "ylina Vow" where the "y" tends to be pronounced between long A and long E and this is the pronunciation of Eilean A Vow. In accompanying text, he also show "ylen-ow" ...also intriguing.
Based on earlier interactions with Simon Taylor and Bill Patterson (2012) of Glasgow University and The Scottish Place Names Society respectively, we had preferred to translate this as "The island of the Sunken Rock or Breaker Rock". Dr. Taylor's analysis suggests that "vow" may refer to a "malicious water sprite" or sense of foreboding ...associated with dangerous tidal rocks, submerged rocks and reefs. (The East and West Vows, for example). This could refer to the submerged bedrock at the south end of the island ... serving as a warning to mariners in the Loch... but there is another relevant theory as well and some new (2016) evidence below to support it. Would the island have been given a name as a warning of a submerged rock or as an aid to navigation?
The island was referred to by some as Eilean A Bhuth ... Island of the Store ... from the 18th century onward. The island was reportedly used for storage and a resident would bring over provisions via boat to sell to the locals. There were certainly stories of the island's cellar being used for storage after the chief's residence moved to the mainland in the late 17th century, but the island was listed as "Elanvow" in the 14th century. If "vow" implies "store", it would have had to be significant as a "store" in the 14th century. It is credible that the island could have been used for storage long before the castle and cellar were built (1577), but would there be something unique enough about Island I Vow then to identify it as the Island of the Store and that would warrant naming it the Island of the Store? We believe Eilean a Bhuth was a unique name used only after the chiefs had moved to the mainland. See the home page for pronunciations. Although Vow might be a transcription of Bhuth, the sound also seems much different.
We also occasionally hear this referred to as the Island of the Cow ... usually based on the fact that the Macfarlanes were skilled cattle rustlers. While it is indisputable that the Macfarlanes were skilled cattle rustlers, it seems only local lore that "Vow" translates to "Cow". Bill Patterson clarifies that ...” I imagine that Dr Taylor will have pointed out the impossibility of the popular explanation in terms of Gaelic grammar: since bò is a feminine noun, the Gaelic for ‘island of the cow’ would be eilean na bà, keeping the sound of the b, not changing to the v sound that the genitive would have if the word were masculine." Experts at Ainmean-Àite na h-Alba, the Scottish governmental organization responsible for determining "the correct and appropriate Scottish Gaelic" place-names for maps, signs, and general use, have indicated that Eilean a' Bho is simply wrong. The experts seem to agree that Eilean A Vow is NOT "The Island of the Cow" ...even though this still seems to be a common notion locally. Also note that if listeners were hearing something like Eilean a Bho, they would be hearing vo ... with a long "o" ... much more like Bhogha.
(2013) Dr. Simon Taylor's analysis from the University of Glasgow and "PLACE-NAMES OF THE PARISH OF ARROCHAR", p11:
G eilean + ?
The first element is clearly Gaelic eilean ‘island’; the middle element (which does not occur in the earliest form, and so may have been later) is probably a reduced form of G definite article an. For the specific element, see PNF5, 524-5, Elements Glossary, under vow. The second (Gaelic) explanation given there could apply to the Loch Lomond Island I Vow. This can be paraphrased as follows. There are two sets of skerries (tidal rocks or reefs) along the Fife coast called East and West Vows: one set off the coast just south of Kirkcaldy, the other set off the coast at Earlsferry by Elie. W. J. Watson mentions “A malicious water sprite or hag is called a ‘vow’ in Easter Ross English” (2002 [1930], 235, cited in SND under vow). SND states that the origin of this word is obscure, but in an earlier work Watson himself derives it from G baobh or baogh (f.) ‘hag’ (OG badb), adding that the Easter Ross word ‘vow’ ‘specialised into the meaning of water-sprite, or possibly mermaid; in any case a malicious spirit’ (Watson 1904, 37). The initial /v/ here is simply lenited /b/ after the G feminine definite article (a’ bhaobh). It is just possible that the word was borrowed into east coast maritime Scots to refer to dangerous coastal reefs, and survives in the names of the two sets of skerries off the Fife coast.
(2012) From Taylor, Simon, with Gilbert Márkus, 2012, The Place-Names of Fife Vol. 5 (Discussion, Glossaries and Edited Texts, with Addenda and Corrigenda of Volumes 1–4) (Donington) [=PNF 5], 524-5:
"vow": No suggestion was advanced as to the origin of this element in the respective discussions in Vols. 1 and 3. Given that it applies only to large tidal rocks, it is fair enough to assume that this is what it meant in the language of the name-givers. While I can still offer no satisfactory explanation, the word may be connected in some way with ON boði (m.). The basic meaning of this word, cognate with English ‘bode’ (as in ‘that does not bode well’) and ‘foreboding’, is ‘messenger’. However, it is commonly used in a nautical context as “a breaker ‘boding’ hidden rocks” (Cleasby-Vigfusson), and as such it was borrowed into Hebridean Gaelic, as bodha (m.) ‘rock over which the waves break; breaker over sunken rocks’ (Dwelly), and has generated many names of such tidal rocks and skerries along the west coast from Kintyre northwards (appearing on older maps frequently as Bogha as well as Bodha). If vow is indeed derived from this word, then it is more likely to be from Norse, either directly (as are the Forth island-names Fidra, certainly, and May, probably) or indirectly by way of the English of the Danelaw. However, the initial consonant /v/ from an original /b/ cannot be explained by any recognised sound change within Scots, and thorough-going re-interpretation as Sc vow(e) ‘vow’ would need to be invoked.
A quite different derivation is suggested by the following remark by W. J. Watson: “A malicious water sprite or hag is called a ‘vow’ in Easter Ross English” (2002 [1930], 235, cited in SND under vow). SND states that the origin of this word is obscure, but in an earlier work Watson himself derives it from G baobh or baogh (f.) ‘hag’ (OG badb), adding that the Easter Ross word ‘vow’ ‘specialised into the meaning of water-sprite, or possibly mermaid; in any case a malicious spirit’ (Watson 1904, 37). The initial /v/ here is simply lenited /b/ after the G feminine definite article (a’ bhaobh). It is just possible that the word was borrowed into east coast maritime Scots to refer to dangerous coastal reefs, and survives in the names of the two sets of skerries off the Fife coast.
East Vows and West Vows KGH (396), with more early forms given in Add. & Corr. KGH Intro., this volume, below (Vol. 1). East Vows and West Vows ELI (Vol. 3).
Recent Discussions with Dr. Jacob King ...
(2016) Correspondence with Dr. Jacob King of Ainmean-Àite na h-Alba and the University of Edinburgh:
"My colleague Alison has passed on your query about Island I Vow. I am a researcher for Ainmean-Àite na h-Alba, the body responsible for supplying place-names for Gaelic signage: www.gaelicplacenames.org . As such I have responded to your query but trying to uncover the Gaelic form for this.
Eilean is the correct spelling of the Gaelic word for 'island' here. [...]
Ylina Vow c. 1591 Pont map
yl. na vow 1636-1652 Gordon map
Ilan a Bou, or the Booth isle 1701 Names of the Islands of Lochlomond in Irish and English 1701- Analecta Scotica 1834, p. 116
Eilean a’ Bhogha 1911 Dwelly
Eilean-a-Bhuth 1922 MacFarlane, J. History of the Clan MacFarlane, 15
Eilean a’ Bhùth Newton, M. 1999 Bho Chluaidh gu Calasraid
The 1701 reference you can see here: https://archive.org/stream/analectascotica02maidgoog#page/n134/mode/1up this is a list of names in 'Irish' (by which they mean Scottish Gaelic) with English/Scots translations. You see it is given as 'Booth isle' which surely refers to what would be in modern Gaelic as Eilean a' Bhùth.
It is also referred to as it as Eilean a' Bhùth here in the 1922 book: https://archive.org/stream/historyofclanmac00macf#page/n20/mode/1up
Dwelly's Gaelic dictionary gives Eilean a' Bhogha 'island of the sunken rock' but I think this is not correct because Dwelly's list is not always accurate in some cases. Secondly unless there is a conspicuous sunken rock next to the island it would not be appropriate. If there is though the the name may have some credence.
I hope this is of some use to you, it's certainly an interesting name"
[further, referring to Elanvow in the early charters]
"Well 'vow' is simply a scribe trying to write either Gaelic bhogha or bhùth in orthography he understands (in this case most likely Scots, even if the charter was in Latin). If the island is Eilean a' Bhogha it would be perfectly acceptable to write it as thus. Bogh or Bogha is a Gaelic word for a sunken island that was borrowed from Norse into Gaelic. As such it is a Gaelic word, saying it should not be translated is like saying the word 'telephone' should be written in Greek script, because it originally comes from Greek."
[and further]
"I would agree that the submerged rock theory does have credence, and it is perfectly possible the name started out as one thing and changed over time. It seems to have been understood in 1701 as bùth at least. [...] I would say if there is a tradition of a tolbooth in the area that would lean to bùth, but if there is a definite sunken rock right next to the island, that possibly made it dangerous for sailors to pass too closely then that would go towards bogha, but as I say it could have been both at different times."
Note that the reference to James Macfarlane's History of the Clan Macfarlane also supports the notion that the island may have been known by different names at different times:
"The island referred to in manifestly [E]ilean-a-vow, or Eilean-a-bhuth (island of the store or booth), as it was call later."
(Emphasis added.) It seems clear that James was noting that Eilean-a-bhuth was a later name.
We also do know that the island has had additional, separate names such as Eilean Ure (The New Island). Eilean a Vow may have been considered the "New Island" when the Chief moved his residence there after the burning of Inverulgas (mid-17th century), or it could have been considered new when the new, reportedly elegant, castle was built in 1577 for Andrew's mother. It is said that James I (James VI) was entertained on the island and the "new" castle may have been the preferred venue. In any case, "Ure" (Ùr) is clearly a later name and unrelated to the translation of "Vow". We suggest that "Bhùth" may also fit into this category.
The Reverend H.S. Winchester (ca. 1916) writes:
Another was the very substantial and for that time even elegant castle on “Eilan-a-bhuth” – the “Island of the shop or store”, about two miles from the top of Loch Lomond. The name of this picturesque island is comparatively recent; the kitchen of the old castle was used by a certain Andrew Macfarlane as a sort of store in which he kept the goods which he sold to the inhabitants on both sides of the loch: hence the name Eilan-a-bhuth; the older name was “Eilan-ure”, the new island, given probably at the time when the chief built his new house upon it.
Conclusion?
We come back to the inescapable reference in the 13th and 14th century charters ..."Elanvow". The term Vow was used then (and most consistently thereafter and to this day). We need to understand why the island would be named Vow in the 13th/14th century and before.
It is certainly true that the islands in Loch Lomond were used for storage and likely so at the time of Viking king Haaken IV's documented raids in the loch in 1263. Would there be something significant enough about the small island's storage that warranted naming the island for this? It was used more literally as a "store" for trade in the late 17th,18th and 19th centuries, but this wouldn't explain a 13th/14th century name.
The geology of the loch is more time invariant ... although the loch levels have reportedly risen since ancient times and certainly since the 19th century. (The River Leven barrage raised the level recently in 1971, for example.) If there were sunken rocks of sufficient nautical significance to warrant naming an island, there certainly should be record of this, it would seem.
We come back to the inescapable reference in the 13th and 14th century charters ..."Elanvow". The term Vow was used then (and most consistently thereafter and to this day). We need to understand why the island would be named Vow in the 13th/14th century and before.
It is certainly true that the islands in Loch Lomond were used for storage and likely so at the time of Viking king Haaken IV's documented raids in the loch in 1263. Would there be something significant enough about the small island's storage that warranted naming the island for this? It was used more literally as a "store" for trade in the late 17th,18th and 19th centuries, but this wouldn't explain a 13th/14th century name.
The geology of the loch is more time invariant ... although the loch levels have reportedly risen since ancient times and certainly since the 19th century. (The River Leven barrage raised the level recently in 1971, for example.) If there were sunken rocks of sufficient nautical significance to warrant naming an island, there certainly should be record of this, it would seem.
The 1861 admiralty chart of the area is shown below. Note particularly the navigational "Clearing Marks" note in the lower left of the chart and the clearing mark "A" shown on the chart itself...
"A. To clear Guy Rock bring Ardleish Barn just open to the East of Island Vow".
"A. To clear Guy Rock bring Ardleish Barn just open to the East of Island Vow".
So the case for Vow as "Sunken Rock" or "Breaker Rock" ...or any other variant of warning, foreboding, submerged rock ... seems strong and credible. We continue to research the point. Surely, the island was later referred to by locals as The island of the Store ... and, perhaps, even the Island of the Cow ... but we submit that the island was named earlier for the submerged rock hazard (now Guy Rock). As mariners made their way north, this lone island would give warning and provide a reference for safe passage around the sunken rock and would be worthy of the name "The Island of the Sunken Rock".
We suggest that it is and always has been (since "vow" was first written) "The Island of the Sunken Rock" (Eilean-a-Bhogha). At later points in time, it has also been known as The New Island (Eilean-Ùr) and The Island of the Store (Eilean-a-Bhùth).
We suggest that it is and always has been (since "vow" was first written) "The Island of the Sunken Rock" (Eilean-a-Bhogha). At later points in time, it has also been known as The New Island (Eilean-Ùr) and The Island of the Store (Eilean-a-Bhùth).
Selected individual references follow ...
Elanvow (ca.1225)
Elanvow, 1225 Charter - James MacFarlane
Charter - Malduin to Gilchrist
MacFarlane, James, The History of the Clan MacFarlane 1922
Here, Elanvow, comingled with the Latin as a proper place name ... "Elanvow". (Click image to Enlarge)
"together with the islands of Elanvow, Elanvanow, Elanrouglas and Elaig"
"This charter bears no date, but was granted in the reign of King Alexander II, between 1225 and 1239, probably in the first mentioned year, upon Malduin becoming Earl of Lennox by the death of his father, Alwyn."
James clear suggests that Elanvow is explicitly mentioned in the 1225? charter, as does Sir Robert Douglas earlier. Douglas references several sources, but only Nisbet seems to provide enough of the Latin charter to include "cum insulis de Elanvow". See below.
MacFarlane, James, The History of the Clan MacFarlane 1922
Here, Elanvow, comingled with the Latin as a proper place name ... "Elanvow". (Click image to Enlarge)
"together with the islands of Elanvow, Elanvanow, Elanrouglas and Elaig"
"This charter bears no date, but was granted in the reign of King Alexander II, between 1225 and 1239, probably in the first mentioned year, upon Malduin becoming Earl of Lennox by the death of his father, Alwyn."
James clear suggests that Elanvow is explicitly mentioned in the 1225? charter, as does Sir Robert Douglas earlier. Douglas references several sources, but only Nisbet seems to provide enough of the Latin charter to include "cum insulis de Elanvow". See below.
|
 Buchannon mention of Gilchrist charter
Reference appears in An Inquiry into the Genealogy and Present State of Ancient Scottish Surnames, William Buchannon (1775), p114 ....originally published in 1723
Note that Buchannon's account doesn't explicitly mention Elanvow in this charter. It does mention Island Vow in context of the charter before the 1354 charter, but this is not the Gilchrist charter. Buchannon mentions that the grant was later confirmed in the Privy Seal, Charta in Rotulis Privati Sigilli |
Sir Robert Douglas 1798?
Douglas clearly mentions the Latin including Elanvow in the Gilchrist charter.
The margin notes say he refers to
Peerage p 400
Nisbet p 62
Critical Remarks on Ragman's Roll p7 and 3?6
Buchannon p 79
and original chart penes Macfarlane.
The Buchannon 79 needs to be checked. Version here has the reference on 116.
The margin notes say he refers to
Peerage p 400
Nisbet p 62
Critical Remarks on Ragman's Roll p7 and 3?6
Buchannon p 79
and original chart penes Macfarlane.
The Buchannon 79 needs to be checked. Version here has the reference on 116.
Nisbet (1742+) page 59, includes an substantive portion of the charter which includes Elanvow
Nisbet's VII included History and Critical Remarks on the Ragman's Roll (Crawfurd, George? Died 1748) Page 6 shown suggests that an original copy of the charter was in Walter's possession and in public archives. See the footnote (l) in Latin "Charta penes Walterum Macfarlane, de eodem, ac etiam charta in publicis archivis".
Elanvow (ca. 1354)
Charter - Donald to Malcolm
MacKay (F. Mary Culquhoun Account) p. 158
"About 1354 a charter was granted by Donald, sixth earl of Lennox, to Malcolm, son of Bartholomew, son of Maldmias, on the resignation of on quarter of the land, and a half-quarter lying between the rivulets of Dywach and Aldanchwlyn on the other side, and the streams Hernane and Trostane on the other; with the island of Elanvow at the head of the loch, Elanvann, with its castle, Elan-na-Uglas, and Elaig, the islet of Target, all within the earldom of Lennox, to be held as the original charter ..."
Cartularium Comitatus de Levenax (Maitland Club, 1833), P. 62 gives original content for this.
MacKay (F. Mary Culquhoun Account) p. 158
"About 1354 a charter was granted by Donald, sixth earl of Lennox, to Malcolm, son of Bartholomew, son of Maldmias, on the resignation of on quarter of the land, and a half-quarter lying between the rivulets of Dywach and Aldanchwlyn on the other side, and the streams Hernane and Trostane on the other; with the island of Elanvow at the head of the loch, Elanvann, with its castle, Elan-na-Uglas, and Elaig, the islet of Target, all within the earldom of Lennox, to be held as the original charter ..."
Cartularium Comitatus de Levenax (Maitland Club, 1833), P. 62 gives original content for this.
Buchannon of Auchmar 1723
In addition, Buchannon makes this mention to an earlier grant that was reaffirmed in 1354.
Note the Nisbet (p59) suggests the date of the earlier charter was 1344 based on analyis of the witnesses.
Note the Nisbet (p59) suggests the date of the earlier charter was 1344 based on analyis of the witnesses.
ylina Vow (1591)
ylina Vow - Timothy Pont (ca 1580)
Timothy Pont's map, ca. 1580, (excerpt courtesy of the National Library of Scotland and brought to our attention by Peter McFarlin) shows "ylina Vow" on an island with a castle at the right location in Loch Lomond.
Islandvow (ca.1725)
Island Vow - Nisbet
Nisbet
"as is to be seen on the castle of Islandvow, built in the year 1577, by the said Andrew."
"as is to be seen on the castle of Islandvow, built in the year 1577, by the said Andrew."
Elan-a-vow, Eilean-a-Mhou (1804)
Elan-a-vow, Eilean-a-Mhou - Fraser
William Fraser, The Chiefs of Culquhoun and their country
"The second island-residence of the chief fo the Macfarlanes was a castle in the islet of Elan-a-vow, or, as it is spelt in Gaelic,Eiliean-a-Mhou, in Lochlomond, about two and a half miles above Inveruglas. This castle was built in the year 1577, by Andrew Macfarlane, then Laird of Arrochar."
[...]
"When the laird of Macfarlane built the castle in Elan-a-vow, a stone was place in it with his full armorial bearings, including the honourable augmentation granterd by the Regent Murray. Nisbet says that in his day these armorial bearings were to be seen in it.(2) But in the remains of that castle no trace of them is now to be found."
"(2) Nisbet's Heraldry, Second Edition, 1804, vol ii App. p. 61"
EVPF Note: Alexander Nisbet (bapt. 23 March 1657; died 7 Dec. 1725)
"The second island-residence of the chief fo the Macfarlanes was a castle in the islet of Elan-a-vow, or, as it is spelt in Gaelic,Eiliean-a-Mhou, in Lochlomond, about two and a half miles above Inveruglas. This castle was built in the year 1577, by Andrew Macfarlane, then Laird of Arrochar."
[...]
"When the laird of Macfarlane built the castle in Elan-a-vow, a stone was place in it with his full armorial bearings, including the honourable augmentation granterd by the Regent Murray. Nisbet says that in his day these armorial bearings were to be seen in it.(2) But in the remains of that castle no trace of them is now to be found."
"(2) Nisbet's Heraldry, Second Edition, 1804, vol ii App. p. 61"
EVPF Note: Alexander Nisbet (bapt. 23 March 1657; died 7 Dec. 1725)
Eilean-a-Mhou
Fraser
"ANOTHER islet in Lochlomond which belonged to the Macfarlanes is Elan-a-vow, which is somewhat larger than Elan-na-Uglas, and is about two miles nearer the head of the loch. On this islet, which stands in the middle of the loch, the ruins of one of the residences of the chief of the Macfarlanes, probably the second which they built, are still to be seen. The castle has already been noticed in the description of the barony of Arrochar. In 1581, the dowager of the chief had a liferent of it from her son. Sibbald characterizes it as distinguished for " pleasant habitations and verdant gardens." Buchanan of Auchmar describes it as being " a pretty good house, with gardens."1 Tradition informs us that after the family had quitted it, on the erection of a new residence at New Tarbet, it was converted into a storehouse. The buildings appear to have been considerable, but only a small part has escaped the destroying hand of time, and the ruins can give only a very imperfect idea of what it was in its original condition. "
"ANOTHER islet in Lochlomond which belonged to the Macfarlanes is Elan-a-vow, which is somewhat larger than Elan-na-Uglas, and is about two miles nearer the head of the loch. On this islet, which stands in the middle of the loch, the ruins of one of the residences of the chief of the Macfarlanes, probably the second which they built, are still to be seen. The castle has already been noticed in the description of the barony of Arrochar. In 1581, the dowager of the chief had a liferent of it from her son. Sibbald characterizes it as distinguished for " pleasant habitations and verdant gardens." Buchanan of Auchmar describes it as being " a pretty good house, with gardens."1 Tradition informs us that after the family had quitted it, on the erection of a new residence at New Tarbet, it was converted into a storehouse. The buildings appear to have been considerable, but only a small part has escaped the destroying hand of time, and the ruins can give only a very imperfect idea of what it was in its original condition. "
Elanvow (1395)
Elanvow - Fraser
Charter - Duncan to Duncan
Fraser, but referencing Nisbet - See References
This references the witness of Sir Humphrey Culquhoun to the 1395 charter granting lands, including the island to Duncan.
(Corrected from previous text suggesting grant to Donald.)
Cartularium Comitatus de Levenax (Maitland Club, 1833), P. 64
Fraser, but referencing Nisbet - See References
This references the witness of Sir Humphrey Culquhoun to the 1395 charter granting lands, including the island to Duncan.
(Corrected from previous text suggesting grant to Donald.)
Cartularium Comitatus de Levenax (Maitland Club, 1833), P. 64
Eilean-a-Vhow, Ellan Vhow (ca 1879)
Eilean-a-Vhow - Irving
Joseph Irving, The Book of Dumbarton, p.348.
Shows the relatively less used "Vhow" and references "Arrochar Parish, Macfarlane Family, vol. ii."
"The earliest and principal stronghold of the Clanfarlane was situated at Inveruglass ; but it was destroyed in Cromwell's time ; and their chief afterwards fixed his residence partly at Tarbet, where it is said Robert Bruce had erected a castle, and partly on the small island of Ellan Vhow, in the north end of Lochlomond." p.271/283
"He fell fighting bravely at Pinkie, and was succeeded by his son, Andrew, who rendered substantial service to the Regent's cause on the field at Langside. (See vol. i. p. 168). His son and successor, John, is said by Douglas to have founded an alms-house at Bruitfort on the mainland, opposite Ellan Vhow, and endowed it with a revenue sufficient to provide for the accommodation of all travellers seeking shelter there." p 273/287
Shows the relatively less used "Vhow" and references "Arrochar Parish, Macfarlane Family, vol. ii."
"The earliest and principal stronghold of the Clanfarlane was situated at Inveruglass ; but it was destroyed in Cromwell's time ; and their chief afterwards fixed his residence partly at Tarbet, where it is said Robert Bruce had erected a castle, and partly on the small island of Ellan Vhow, in the north end of Lochlomond." p.271/283
"He fell fighting bravely at Pinkie, and was succeeded by his son, Andrew, who rendered substantial service to the Regent's cause on the field at Langside. (See vol. i. p. 168). His son and successor, John, is said by Douglas to have founded an alms-house at Bruitfort on the mainland, opposite Ellan Vhow, and endowed it with a revenue sufficient to provide for the accommodation of all travellers seeking shelter there." p 273/287
Eilean-a-Vow (1922)
Eilean-a-Vow - James MacFarlane
MacFarlane, James, The History of the Clan Macfarlane
Island Vow (< 1767)
Island Vow
Publications of the Scottish History Society, Volume 51, Geographical Collections, Walter MacFarlane, Volume 1, p.345
1904
Walter Macfarlane died 1767
1904
Walter Macfarlane died 1767
Eilan Vow, Eilan Bhuth, Eilan-a-Vhu (ca. 1884)
p. 29
[...]
p. 30 [per Malcolm Macfarlane?] 
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"The Poetical Works of William Wordsworth", Volume 6, 1884:
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Ylen-ow (1591)
[Timothy] Pont Maps of Scotland, ca. 1583-1614 - Pont texts
p. 150v-151r
"...southward is Rowglash with a prettie hous and dwelling pertyning to Mackfarlan.
thrie myl thence [from Terbart to the north] Ylen-ow with a fair dwelling with orchards, it is of equal distance from both sydes of the loch, which is heir a myl broad [or rather 3/4].
thrie myl above it, hard upon the head of the loch is Ylen Eaunlich of a flight shot long, with a dwelling upon it. it is half a myl distant from Dow-viisk I mean the mouth therof. This Dow-visk in the uthir syd is the head of the water of Glen-fallacht"
p. 150v-151r
"...southward is Rowglash with a prettie hous and dwelling pertyning to Mackfarlan.
thrie myl thence [from Terbart to the north] Ylen-ow with a fair dwelling with orchards, it is of equal distance from both sydes of the loch, which is heir a myl broad [or rather 3/4].
thrie myl above it, hard upon the head of the loch is Ylen Eaunlich of a flight shot long, with a dwelling upon it. it is half a myl distant from Dow-viisk I mean the mouth therof. This Dow-visk in the uthir syd is the head of the water of Glen-fallacht"
Ilan a Bou or Booth Isle (1701?)
Names of the Islands of Lochlomond in Irish and English 1701
Analecta Scotica: collections illustrative of the civil, ecclesiastical and literal history of Scotland, James Maidment, 1834, p. 116
This is a relatively unusual entry with only ...
"Ilan a Bou or Booth Isle"
Note refers to Wodrow's correspondence, Vol ii, No.4.
This refers to a Reverend R Wodrow and several letters of correspondence between about 1701 and 1730 with copies in the "faculty" library. Robert Wodrow (1679-1734). There is potential association with Edward Lhuyd (Lhwyd).
The reference ties to a one-page entry in Wodrow's correspondence from the Dunbarton library and found online at by clicking here.
Analecta Scotica: collections illustrative of the civil, ecclesiastical and literal history of Scotland, James Maidment, 1834, p. 116
This is a relatively unusual entry with only ...
"Ilan a Bou or Booth Isle"
Note refers to Wodrow's correspondence, Vol ii, No.4.
This refers to a Reverend R Wodrow and several letters of correspondence between about 1701 and 1730 with copies in the "faculty" library. Robert Wodrow (1679-1734). There is potential association with Edward Lhuyd (Lhwyd).
The reference ties to a one-page entry in Wodrow's correspondence from the Dunbarton library and found online at by clicking here.
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Eilean a’ bhogha, Ellanvow (ca 1911)
The illustrated Gaelic-English dictionary: containing every Gaelic word and meaning given in all previously published dictionaries and a great number never in print before, to which is prefixed a concise Gaelic grammar / compiled by Edward Dwelly.
Dwelly, Edward 1864-1939 | 1971
Page 1014
Dwelly's Gaelic dictionary gives Eilean a' bhogha 'island of the sunken rock'
Dwelly, Edward 1864-1939 | 1971
Page 1014
Dwelly's Gaelic dictionary gives Eilean a' bhogha 'island of the sunken rock'
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Page 1014
Ellanvow Eilean a' bhogha
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bogha
-chan, sm Bow. 2 Bow, bend. 3 Arch. 4 Vault. 5 Rock sunk at sea ("blinder.") 6 Wave called a "heaver". Tha bogha air, it has a bend; bogha na drochaide, the arch of the bridge; tha bogha mór air a' bhalla, the wall has a great bow or bulge; mar bhogha air ghleus, like a bow on the stretch; tha bogha air a' ghéig, the branch has a bend in it; chuir e a bhogha air lagh, he bent his bow; fir bhogha, archers.
-chan, sm Bow. 2 Bow, bend. 3 Arch. 4 Vault. 5 Rock sunk at sea ("blinder.") 6 Wave called a "heaver". Tha bogha air, it has a bend; bogha na drochaide, the arch of the bridge; tha bogha mór air a' bhalla, the wall has a great bow or bulge; mar bhogha air ghleus, like a bow on the stretch; tha bogha air a' ghéig, the branch has a bend in it; chuir e a bhogha air lagh, he bent his bow; fir bhogha, archers.
Eilan-Ure, Eilan-a-bhuth (1914)
Traditions of Tarbet and Arrochar and the Macfarlanes
Hugh Sinclair Winchester, 1914, The Residences of the Macfarlanes
'Another was the very substantial and for that time even elegant castle on “Eilan-a-bhuth” – the “Island of the shop or store”, about two miles from the top of Loch Lomond. The name of this picturesque island is comparatively recent; the kitchen of the old castle was used by a certain Andrew Macfarlane as a sort of store in which he kept the goods which he sold to the inhabitants on both sides of the loch: hence the name Eilan-a-bhuth; the older name was “Eilan-ure”, the new island, given probably at the time when the chief built his new house upon it.'
[EVPF Comment] This clearly suggests that Eilean-a-bhuth (Island of the Store) was a later name and preceded by Eilean Ur, the New Island. The castle was built in 1577 by Andrew for his mother, as we understand it, with the Chief still residing at Inveruglas under it was burned in the mid-17th century (1654?) by troops sympathetic to Cromwell. It would seem more natural that the island would be called New when the old castle had to be abandoned ... rather than when the castle was built.
The Island of the Store name seems to be triggered by the practice of (a much later) Andrew of storing goods and selling them to locals. (Need Andrew cite here and time frame. We expect this is near the end of the 17th century.)
Hugh Sinclair Winchester, 1914, The Residences of the Macfarlanes
'Another was the very substantial and for that time even elegant castle on “Eilan-a-bhuth” – the “Island of the shop or store”, about two miles from the top of Loch Lomond. The name of this picturesque island is comparatively recent; the kitchen of the old castle was used by a certain Andrew Macfarlane as a sort of store in which he kept the goods which he sold to the inhabitants on both sides of the loch: hence the name Eilan-a-bhuth; the older name was “Eilan-ure”, the new island, given probably at the time when the chief built his new house upon it.'
[EVPF Comment] This clearly suggests that Eilean-a-bhuth (Island of the Store) was a later name and preceded by Eilean Ur, the New Island. The castle was built in 1577 by Andrew for his mother, as we understand it, with the Chief still residing at Inveruglas under it was burned in the mid-17th century (1654?) by troops sympathetic to Cromwell. It would seem more natural that the island would be called New when the old castle had to be abandoned ... rather than when the castle was built.
The Island of the Store name seems to be triggered by the practice of (a much later) Andrew of storing goods and selling them to locals. (Need Andrew cite here and time frame. We expect this is near the end of the 17th century.)
Eilean-a-Bhuth, Eilean-a-vow (1922)
MacFarlane, J. History of the Clan MacFarlane, 15
Also Eilean-a-Vow in the Table of Contents and p67, Island Vow (p65), Illinvow (p69), and Ellan Vow on the map image.
"The island referred to is manifestly Kilean-a-vow, or Eilean-a-bhuth (the island of the shop or store) as it was called later."
EVPF Note: Emphasis added.
On page 100, Rev. James Dewar uses Eilean-a-vow.
Eilean-a-vow was used 14 times in the book. Bhuth appears twice... once only quoted ... in the "old statistical account" of Arrochar about 1790. Perhaps Rev. John Gillespie?
Also Eilean-a-Vow in the Table of Contents and p67, Island Vow (p65), Illinvow (p69), and Ellan Vow on the map image.
"The island referred to is manifestly Kilean-a-vow, or Eilean-a-bhuth (the island of the shop or store) as it was called later."
EVPF Note: Emphasis added.
On page 100, Rev. James Dewar uses Eilean-a-vow.
Eilean-a-vow was used 14 times in the book. Bhuth appears twice... once only quoted ... in the "old statistical account" of Arrochar about 1790. Perhaps Rev. John Gillespie?
Eilean a Bhogda (Unpublished)James MacFarlane was working on a second edition of his book when he passed away. His unpublished notes passed from his family to members to the Clan and on to the library in Dunbarton, where they currently reside. Andrew MacFarlane kindly provided an image of one page which describes an encounter with the MacGregors and mentions Eilean a Bhogda.
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Elan Avow (1745)
William Edgar map 1745
William Edgar map 1745
Island I Vow - Navigation w.r.t. Guy Rock
1861 Admiralty Chart 5077
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Eilean a Bhuth (1999)
Newton, M. 1999 Bho Chluaidh gu Calasraid
Elenore
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Transactions of the Scottish Ecclesiological Society, Volume 5 (1916)
page 152
No ebook available
"Eilean-a-bhuth also called "Elenore" - "Eilean UR," the New Island
page 152
No ebook available
"Eilean-a-bhuth also called "Elenore" - "Eilean UR," the New Island
Eilan Vow, Eilan-ure, Eilan-a-bhuth
ArrocharHeritage.com History of the Macfarlanes
"when the chief had abandoned the island castle ..."
The island has gone by different names at different times. Originally Island Vow in the charters, for a period it was known as ‘Eilan-ure’, ‘the new island’. This second description was probably given when Walter built his new house upon it, and distinguished the house, probably more than the island, from the existing castles of Inveruglas and New Tarbet (Arrochar). Later, when the chief had abandoned the island castle as a residence, it became known as ‘Eilan-a-bhuth’ – ‘the island of the shop or store’. This was due to a very ordinary circumstance. A certain Andrew MacFarlane, it is recorded, used the kitchen (what we have called a guard room) of the old castle as a sort of store in which he kept the goods which he sold to the inhabitants on both sides of the loch.
Ellan-a-bhuth, Eilan-ure
TRADITIONS OF ARROCHAR AND TARBET AND THE MACFARLANES (1916?)
Reverend H.S. Winchester
Another was the very substantial and for that time even elegant castle on “Eilan-a-bhuth” – the “Island of the shop or store”, about two miles from the top of Loch Lomond. The name of this picturesque island is comparatively recent; the kitchen of the old castle was used by a certain Andrew Macfarlane as a sort of store in which he kept the goods which he sold to the inhabitants on both sides of the loch: hence the name Eilan-a-bhuth; the older name was “Eilan-ure”, the new island, given probably at the time when the chief built his new house upon it.
Elengavahana
The New Statistical Account of Scotland: Dunbarton, Sterling, Clackmannan, V III,
W. Blackwood and Sons (1845)
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The Islands of Loch Lomond, Calder and Lindsay(*)(1992) lists Elengavahana as an "old" name for Island I Vow.
The New Statistical Account of Scotland: Sterling, Dunbarton, Clackmannan (1845) notes that Dumbartonshire's eastern boundary was defined by Loch Lomond up to "Elengavahana". Maps show the county boundary cutting inland at Island I Vow. This seems clearly to be a reference to Island I Vow.
(*) Another Father-Daughter team.
The New Statistical Account of Scotland: Sterling, Dunbarton, Clackmannan (1845) notes that Dumbartonshire's eastern boundary was defined by Loch Lomond up to "Elengavahana". Maps show the county boundary cutting inland at Island I Vow. This seems clearly to be a reference to Island I Vow.
(*) Another Father-Daughter team.
Dumbartonshire county boundary shown by dotted line
Ellan-Vhou
A Tour of Tartan-land, by Cuthbert Bede, Bradley (1863) p192-194
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The account of the visit of James VI/I to Island I Vow here offers the spelling Ellan-Vhou. Our paleographic research taught us that u's, w's, and v's were often used interchangeably by some Scottish writers. Page 192 also mentions the tradition that Robert the Bruce planted trees on the island.
Inch-Tavoe
The Monastery, Sir Walter Scott, (1820) p154 and Note E p415
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Sir Walter Scott refers to MacFarlane's Geese in his book "The Monastery". Note E there tells the story of the visit of James the VI/I to the island and gives the name Inch Tavoe. Inch is, of course, just another form of "island" (Innis) and Tavoe is given as the island's name. We know how Invanhoe is pronounced, and we might suggest that Scott's Tavoe is another Vow pronouned with a long "o" ... as in Bhogha or Bho.
The proverb is mentioned in "A Complete Collection Scottish Proverbs Explained Made Intelligible English Reader" Kelly, James (1721) but it merely provides an explanatory example of use and does not include any reference to James or the island.
The proverb is mentioned in "A Complete Collection Scottish Proverbs Explained Made Intelligible English Reader" Kelly, James (1721) but it merely provides an explanatory example of use and does not include any reference to James or the island.
Eilean a' Bho
A Short History of Dumbartonshire, I.M.M. McPhail (1962) p.29
(no ebook, but searchable)
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'The earliest written reference to the Island of the Cow interpretation that we have found is given by I.M.M. McPhail in 1962. He offers "today called Island I Vow, but originally probably Eilean a' Bho (Island of the Cow)", but no further explanation is offered. If the original name was with Bhogha or Bho historically, it would be natural to hear the long "vo" pronunciation in common use. This could be a "sound alike" name with a "romantic" story that it ties to Macfarlane rustling. After review of the available facts about the island, the author acknowledged that Island of the Cow was not likely the basis for the island's name.
Experts at Ainmean-Àite na h-Alba, the Scottish governmental organization responsible for determining "the correct and appropriate Scottish Gaelic" place-names for maps, signs, and general use, have indicated that Eilean a' Bho is simply wrong and the correct Gaelic would be Eilean nam Bò.
Experts at Ainmean-Àite na h-Alba, the Scottish governmental organization responsible for determining "the correct and appropriate Scottish Gaelic" place-names for maps, signs, and general use, have indicated that Eilean a' Bho is simply wrong and the correct Gaelic would be Eilean nam Bò.
Isle of Vou
Mountain Moor and Loch (1894) p.63
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EVPF Note: That the island was called Island of the Store or Shop or Booth in the eighteenth century ... after the clan seat had moved to Arrochar ... seems well established. The explanation for the name is bit speculative and there are common stories of an occupant selling goods to locals from the island.
Also in this book, there follows a reference to an abundance of daffodils on the island. We also certainly have seen reference to "gardens" and "orchards" on the island. This book suggests that some thought the island had some religious purpose ... priory, small monastery or nunnery ... and that daffodils were grown there for Easter decorations. The house was in ruin when this book was written in the late nineteenth century, but (absent references) this seems to suggest that daffodils were still in abundance then.
Also in this book, there follows a reference to an abundance of daffodils on the island. We also certainly have seen reference to "gardens" and "orchards" on the island. This book suggests that some thought the island had some religious purpose ... priory, small monastery or nunnery ... and that daffodils were grown there for Easter decorations. The house was in ruin when this book was written in the late nineteenth century, but (absent references) this seems to suggest that daffodils were still in abundance then.
