Holy Island

The tiny island of Holy Island (1mi/1.6km in length) lies 5mi/8km to the south of Brodick off Lamlash Bay. The changing landscape, dominated by a hill (1,030ft/314m), is ideal for bird life and the island has become a popular spot for ornithologists. According to legend St Molaise, a pupil of St Columba, lived here and the walls and roofs of the caves in the west of the island are covered with runic symbols and inscriptions that date from different periods. A 7ft/2m sandstone block marked all around with man-made indentations is revered as the saint's seat of judgment.