Inchconnachan

Inchconnachan, Innis Chonachain in Gaelic, meaning “the Colquhoun’s island”, is a wooded island in Loch Lomond, lying off the village of Luss on the western shore. It is one of the most unusual islands in Scotland, because it is home to a colony of red-necked wallabies, introduced in the 1940s and still living wild among its oak and birch woods.

Landscape

Inchconnachan lies in the cluster of islands off Luss, separated from its neighbour Inchtavannach by a narrow channel known as the Straits of Inchconnachan, a sheltered spot popular with boats in summer. The island is almost entirely wooded, with ancient oakwood, birch and conifers, and sandy beaches around its shores. It is protected as a Site of Special Scientific Interest and a Special Area of Conservation, partly for its woodland and partly for the capercaillie that once lived here.

History

The island has long belonged to the Colquhouns of Luss, whose name it carries. In the 1920s a colonial-style timber bungalow was built here for the tea planter Admiral Sullivan, and it later became the holiday home of Fiona Gore, Countess of Arran, a famous powerboat racer. In the 1940s the Countess introduced a small number of red-necked wallabies from Australia to the island, and their descendants have survived ever since, making Inchconnachan one of the few places outside Australia with a breeding wallaby population. Concerns have been raised that the wallabies could disturb the island’s native wildlife, and their future has been debated for years.

In 2020 the Colquhoun family put the island up for sale, and it was bought by the businessman Nick Jones and the broadcaster Kirsty Young. Their plans to replace the derelict bungalow with a new lodge drew objections, including a petition signed by more than 100,000 people and concerns from the Woodland Trust about the felling of ancient oaks.

In 2020 the Colquhoun family put the island up for sale, and it was bought by the businessman Nick Jones and the broadcaster Kirsty Young.

Visiting

Inchconnachan can be reached by private or hired boat from Luss, and boat trips from Luss and Balloch pass close by. Visitors may land on the beaches under Scotland’s right of responsible access, but should keep away from private buildings and take care not to disturb the woodland. Spotting a wallaby takes patience and luck, as they are shy and stay deep in the trees.

Wildlife

Among the wildlife most often recorded on Inchconnachan are Grey Squirrel, Wood Mouse, Osprey, Goosander, Mute Swan and Mallard. See the Wildlife tab for the full list of 20 species and when to see them.