Holy Island

Holy Island, or Holy Isle, lies in Lamlash Bay off the east coast of Arran in the Firth of Clyde. It is about three kilometres long and one wide, rising to its highest point at Mullach Mòr. For centuries it has been a sacred place, and today it is home to a Buddhist community, with a Centre for World Peace and Health and a retreat centre.

Landscape

Holy Island is a steep, rugged island of moorland and woodland, rising sharply from the sea to Mullach Mòr, with wonderful views over Lamlash Bay, Arran’s mountains and the Firth of Clyde. Its shores are rocky, with a small lighthouse at the southern end. The island’s wild ponies, sheep and goats roam freely across its slopes.

History

The island has a long history as a holy place. It has a spring, or holy well, said to have healing properties, and the cave of St Molaise, a 6th-century monk who lived here as a hermit. Runic writing can be found on the roof of the cave, carved by Norse visitors, and a Viking fleet sheltered between Arran and Holy Island before the Battle of Largs in 1263. There is also evidence of a 13th-century monastery, founded by John, Lord of the Isles. The island’s old Gaelic name, Eilean MoLaise, “Molaise’s island”, gave its name to the village of Lamlash opposite.

The community on Holy Island is small and changes with the seasons and the retreats: 13 people were recorded as living on the island in 2001, 31 in 2011 and 17 in 2022.

More about Holy Island

In 1992 the owner, Kay Morris, a devout Catholic, reportedly had a dream in which the Virgin Mary told her to give the island to the Samye Ling Buddhist Community, of the Kagyu school of Tibetan Buddhism. The community created a Centre for World Peace and Health on the north of the island, which welcomes visitors and runs courses, and a long-term retreat centre in the south.

The community on Holy Island is small and changes with the seasons and the retreats: 13 people were recorded as living on the island in 2001, 31 in 2011 and 17 in 2022.

Visiting

A small ferry runs to Holy Island from Lamlash on Arran, and visitors can walk the paths and climb Mullach Mòr. Please respect the community’s guidelines while on the island. Arran is reached by ferry from Ardrossan to Brodick. You can collect Holy Island as a sighting in your Island Passport.

Wildlife and area

Holy Island is home to wild goats and Soay sheep, and to Eriskay ponies. Look out for Grey Seal, Harbour Porpoise and eider around the shore, and for Gannet in Lamlash Bay. Other islands nearby include Arran, Pladda and Horse Isle.