# Luing

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Island in Scotland

Luing Scottish Gaelic name Luinn Meaning of name pre-Gaelic name of unclear meaning View from near Toberonochy, Luing Location Luing Luing shown within the Slate Islands, and next to the Garvellachs, Scarba, and the isles of Loch Craignish Show map of the Slate Islands, Garvellachs, Scarba, and the islands of Loch Craignish Luing Luing shown within Argyll and Bute Show map of Argyll and Bute OS grid reference NM740100 Coordinates 56°13′42″N 5°38′28″W / 56.22829819°N 5.64124049°W / 56.22829819; -5.64124049 Physical geography Island group Slate Islands Area 1,430 ha (5+1⁄2 sq mi) Area rank 40 [1] Highest elevation Binneinn Furachail, 87 m (285 ft) Administration Council area Argyll and Bute Country Scotland Sovereign state United Kingdom Demographics Population 187[2] Population rank 35= [1] Population density 11.5/km2 (30/sq mi) Largest settlement Cullipool/Culapul References [3][4] [5]

**Luing** ([/ˈlɪŋ/](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:IPA/English) [*LING*](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:Pronunciation_respelling_key); [Scottish Gaelic](/source/Scottish_Gaelic_language): *Luinn*) is one of the [Slate Islands](/source/Slate_Islands%2C_Scotland), [Firth of Lorn](/source/Firth_of_Lorn), in the west of [Argyll](/source/Argyll) in [Scotland](/source/Scotland), about 16 miles (26 km) south of [Oban](/source/Oban). The island has an area of 1,430 hectares (3,500 acres) and is bounded by several small skerries and islets. It has a population of around 200 people, mostly living in [Cullipool](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Cullipool&action=edit&redlink=1), [Toberonochy](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Toberonochy&action=edit&redlink=1) (*Tobar Dhonnchaidh*), and Blackmillbay.[6]

## Geology

The larger part of the bedrock of Luing is provided by the [Neoproterozoic](/source/Neoproterozoic) age Easdale Slate Formation, a [pyritic](/source/Pyrites), [graphitic](/source/Graphite) [pelite](/source/Pelite) belonging to the Easdale Subgroup of the [Dalradian](/source/Dalradian) [Argyll Group](/source/Argyll_Group). Thin bands of [quartzite](/source/Quartzite) are also present. Zones of [metamorphosed](/source/Metamorphism) intrusive [igneous rocks](/source/Igneous_rock) occur within the northeast of the island. Luing is cut by NE-SW aligned [Siluro](/source/Silurian)-[Devonian](/source/Devonian) [felsite](/source/Felsite) [dykes](/source/Dike_(geology)) and by numerous later NW-SE aligned [basalt](/source/Basalt) and micro[gabbro](/source/Gabbro) dykes which form a part of the ‘Mull Swarm’ which is of early [Palaeogene](/source/Palaeogene) age. [Raised marine deposits](/source/Raised_beach) of sand and gravel occur widely around the margins of the island, a legacy of late [Quaternary](/source/Quaternary) changes in relative sea-level.[7][8]

## Economy and culture

A regular [ferry](/source/Ferry) service crosses the 200-metre-wide (660-foot) [Cuan Sound](/source/Cuan_Sound) which separates Luing from the neighbouring island of [Seil](/source/Seil), which is in turn connected by bridge to the mainland.[6]

The main industries on Luing are [tourism](/source/Tourism), [lobster](/source/European_lobster) fishing and [beef](/source/Beef) farming, although [slate](/source/Slate) [quarrying](/source/Quarry) was important until 1965,[3] with quarries at Toberonochy, Cullipool, and a smaller one at Port Mary. Slate from Luing was used in the construction of the [University of Glasgow](/source/University_of_Glasgow) and re-roofing of [Iona Abbey](/source/Iona_Abbey).

For such a small island, Luing has produced numerous [mòd](/source/Mod_(Scotland)) gold medallists: Nan MacInnes (1926, in [Oban](/source/Oban)), Sandy Brown (1938, in [Glasgow](/source/Glasgow)) and Hughie MacQueen (1985, in [Lochaber](/source/Lochaber)).

[Luing cattle](/source/Luing_cattle) were first developed here, as a commercial beef breed hardy enough to prosper under adverse weather.[9] They are a breed of red beef cattle, produced by the Cadzow family in 1947 from a cross between [Beef Shorthorn](/source/Beef_Shorthorn) and [Highland cattle](/source/Highland_cattle).[10]

## Etymology

According to Haswell-Smith (2004) the name "Luing" may derive from the [Old Norse](/source/Old_Norse) *lyng*, meaning "heather" or *long* meaning ship.[3] However, Mac an Tàilleir (2003) states "this is probably a pre-Gaelic name of unclear meaning."[5]

## History

Ruins of Kilchattan Church

In the early part of the Christian era Luing would have formed part of the Gaelic kingdom of [Dalriada](/source/Dalriada). From the 9th to 13th centuries almost all of the [Hebrides](/source/Hebrides) came under the control of Norse settlers and formed part of the [Kingdom of the Isles](/source/Kingdom_of_the_Isles). However, when [Edgar of Scotland](/source/Edgar_of_Scotland) signed a treaty with [Magnus Barefoot](/source/Magnus_Barefoot) in 1098, formally acknowledged the existing situation by giving up Scottish claims to the Hebrides and Kintyre, Luing and [Lismore](/source/Lismore%2C_Scotland) were retained by the Scots.[11]

The graveyard at the ruined church of Kilchattan documents the lives of past islanders, with quarriers, sailors and crofters side by side. Gravestones of note include those of [Covenanter](/source/Covenanter) Alexander Campbell.[12]

## Footnotes

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-RankNote_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-RankNote_1-1) Area and population ranks: there are c. 300 islands over 20 ha in extent. 93 permanently inhabited islands were listed in the [2011 census](/source/United_Kingdom_census%2C_2011) and [101 such islands](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:WikiProject_Scottish_Islands/Populated_Islands#Inhabited_islands) in 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-RESAS_2-0)** ["Scottish Islands Data Dashboard"](https://infogram.com/1pl6y95m7p3022iqpv1mkdevrrczq6e5x59). RESAS/Scottish Government. 2025. p. 6. Retrieved 1 June 2025.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Smith_3-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Smith_3-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Smith_3-2) Haswell-Smith (2004) p. 70

1. **[^](#cite_ref-OS55_4-0)** *Ordnance Survey: Landranger map sheet 55*Lochgilphead & Loch Awe (Map). Ordnance Survey. 2011. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [9780319231227](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/9780319231227).

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-MacanT_5-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-MacanT_5-1) Mac an Tàilleir (2003) p. 83

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Undis_6-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Undis_6-1) ["Luing"](http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/luing/luing). Undiscovered Scotland. Retrieved 28 July 2007.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** ["Onshore Geoindex"](https://mapapps2.bgs.ac.uk/geoindex/home.html). *British Geological Survey*. Retrieved 5 February 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** ["Kilmartin, Scotland sheet 36, Bedrock and Superficial deposits"](http://www.largeimages.bgs.ac.uk/iip/mapsportal.html?id=1002368). *BGS large map images*. British Geological Survey. Retrieved 5 February 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** ["Luing Cattle"](http://www.luingcattlesociety.co.uk/). Luing Cattle Society. Retrieved 28 July 2007.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** ["Overview of Luing"](http://www.scottish-places.info/features/featurefirst1521.html). [Gazetteer for Scotland](/source/Gazetteer_for_Scotland). Retrieved 28 July 2007.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** Sellar (2000) p. 191

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** ["Luing: Heritage"](http://www.isleofluing.co.uk). Isle of Luing Website. Retrieved 28 July 2007.

## References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to [Luing](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Luing).

- Haswell-Smith, Hamish (2004). [*The Scottish Islands*](https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=bXFwKl5gVqwC). Edinburgh: Canongate. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-1-84195-454-7](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1-84195-454-7).

- Mac an Tàilleir, Iain (2003) [*Goireasan Cànain / Language Resources - Tadhail is Ionnsaich : Pàrlamaid na h-Alba*](https://webarchive.nrscotland.gov.uk/20240327011012/http://archive2021.parliament.scot/gd/visitandlearn/40900.aspx). (pdf) [Pàrlamaid na h-Alba](/source/Scottish_Parliament). Retrieved 26 October 2025.

- [Sellar, William David Hamilton](/source/David_Sellar) (2000). "Hebridean sea kings: The successors of Somerled, 1164–1316". In [Cowan, Edward J.](/source/Edward_J._Cowan); McDonald, Russell Andrew (eds.). *Alba: Celtic Scotland in the middle ages*. Tuckwell Press. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-1-86232-151-9](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1-86232-151-9).

v t e Slate Islands, Inner Hebrides Belnahua/Beul na h-Uamha Easdale/Eilean Eisdeal Luing/Eilean Luinn Seil/Saoil Shuna/Siuna Torsa

v t e Inhabited islands of the Hebrides Inner Hebrides Canna Coll Colonsay Danna Dry Island Eigg Eilean Buidhe Eilean dà Mhèinn Eilean Shona Erraid Gigha Gometra Iona Islay Isle of Ewe Jura Kerrera Lismore Muck Mull Oronsay Raasay Sanday Scalpay Rona Rùm Skye Slate Islands: (Easdale, Luing, Seil, Shuna) Soay Summer Isles Tiree Ulva Outer Hebrides Baleshare Barra Benbecula Berneray Eilean a' Ghiorr Eilean Leathann Eriskay Flodaigh Great Bernera Grimsay (North) Grimsay (South) Killegray Lewis and Harris North Uist Scalpay Seana Bhaile South Uist Vatersay

v t e Islands of Scotland Geography Northern Isles Shetland list Orkney list Hebrides Outer Hebrides list Inner Hebrides list St Kilda Other Islands of the Clyde Islands of the Forth Freshwater Islands Outlying Islands Sea Stacks Prehistory Prehistoric Orkney Heart of Neolithic Orkney World Heritage Site: Maeshowe Ness of Brodgar Ring of Brodgar Skara Brae Standing Stones of Stenness Prehistoric Shetland Zenith of Iron Age Shetland: Broch of Mousa Jarlshof Old Scatness Prehistoric Western Isles Callanish Stones Dun Carloway Rubha an Dùnain Dun Nosebridge History Dál Riata Columba Hinba Kingdom of the Isles Scandinavian Scotland Rulers of the Kingdom of the Isles Bishop of the Isles Lordship of the Isles Treaty of Perth Treaty of Ardtornish-Westminster Finlaggan Earldom of Orkney Buckquoy spindle-whorl Udal law 18th and 19th Century Clearances Jacobite risings Flora MacDonald Literature Orkneyinga Saga Description of the Western Isles of Scotland (Monro) A Description of the Western Isles of Scotland (Martin) A Journey to the Western Islands of Scotland (Johnson) The Journal of a Tour to the Hebrides (Boswell) Etymology General Scottish island names Northern Isles Hebrides Ainmean-Àite na h-Alba Specific Arran Gigha Islay Skye St Kilda Economy Towns Kirkwall Lerwick Rothesay Stornoway Stromness Agencies Community Energy Scotland Crofters Commission Highlands and Islands Enterprise Scottish Islands Federation Oil industry Flotta Sullom Voe Culture Shetland Aly Bain Thomas Fraser Peerie Willie Johnson Shetland Amenity Trust Up Helly Aa Vagaland Orkney George Mackay Brown Peter Maxwell Davies F. Marian McNeill Kirkwall Ba game Orkney Heritage Society St Magnus Festival Outer Hebrides Compton Mackenzie Fèis Bharraigh Free Church of Scotland Iain Crichton Smith Inner Hebrides Islay whisky Runrig Sorley MacLean West Highland Free Press Politics Local authorities Shetland Islands Council Orkney Islands Council Comhairle nan Eilean Siar Highland Council Argyll and Bute North Ayrshire Wildlife Fauna Fair Isle wren Orkney vole Shetland wren St Kilda field mouse St Kilda wren Flora Arran whitebeams Scottish Primrose Shetland Mouse-ear Domesticated animals Cairn Terrier Eriskay Pony Hebridean Blackface Luing cattle North Ronaldsay sheep Scottie Sheltie Shetland cattle Shetland Goose Shetland pony Shetland sheep Soay sheep Westie Geology Shetland Geopark Shetland Geology of Orkney Eday Group Orcadian Basin Yesnaby Sandstone Group Hebrides Colonsay Group Great Estuarine Group Hebridean terrane Lewisian complex Lorne plateau lavas Moine supergroup Moine Thrust Belt Mull Rhinns complex Skye Staffa Torridonian Islands of the Clyde Highland Boundary Fault

[Portal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Contents/Portals):
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Authority control databases: National United States Israel

[56°13′45″N 5°38′44″W / 56.22917°N 5.64556°W / 56.22917; -5.64556](https://geohack.toolforge.org/geohack.php?pagename=Luing&params=56_13_45_N_5_38_44_W_)

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