Eilean Muireach aka Cherry Island: Only Island in Loch Ness Is Crannog

Summary: Eilean Muireach, popularly known as Cherry Island, is the only island in Loch Ness, Scotland's second deepest freshwater and purported home of Nessie.

Cherry Island explained; view of Cherry Island from explanatory marker, with graphic of castle, on shore; Wednesday, April 9, 2008: Des Colhoun, CC BY SA 2.0 Generic, via Wikimedia Commons

What is so special about Eilean Muireach in the Scottish Highlands, one of 790 islands in Scotland?

Meaning Murdoch’s Island in Scottish Gaelic, Eilean Muireach stands out as the only island in Loch Ness, Scotland’s second deepest freshwater lake, at 744.6 feet (226.96 meters), and purported home of Nessie the Loch Ness Monster.

Located amidst the natural beauty of the parish of Boleskine And Abertarff in northeastern Scotland's Inverness-shire, Eilean Muireach lies in southwestern Loch Ness, about 150 yards (140 meters) from the shore.

Eilean Muireach is known popularly as Cherry Island, a name often attributed to the soldiers of English military and political leader Oliver Cromwell (April 25, 1599–Sept. 3, 1658).

Cherry Island's crannog contours, 1908 sketch by Russian Catholic priest and linguist Reverend Father Henry Cyril Dieckhoff (Russian: Генрих Кирилл Дикхофф; July 3, 1869-Aug. 5, 1950); Rev. Odo Blundell, "Notice of the Examination, by Means of a Diving-Dress, of the Artificial Island, or Crannog, of Eilean Muireach, in the South End of Loch Ness," Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, vol. XLIII (1908-1909), figure 2, page 163: via Internet Archive

Appearing as the only island in Loch Ness, Cherry Island is actually a crannog (Scottish Gaelic: crannag). A crannag is a type of artificial island built in estuaries, lakes and rivers in Ireland and Scotland from prehistory through the Post-Medieval period (1485–ca. 1750).

Pursuant to a suggestion in 1907 of Cherry Island as a crannog, Dom Odo Blundell (1868–1943), a monk at nearby St. Benedict’s Abbey, known popularly as Fort Augustus Abbey, verified the islet’s artificial origins by way of two dives conducted on Aug. 7 and Aug. 31, 1908.

With banks regularly pitched at about 1 in 10, Cherry Island is constructed of rocky and wooden materials.

Large stones measure about 1.5 feet (0.45 meters) in length. Masses of rubble are composed of small stones 6 to 8 inches (15.24 to 20.32 centimeters) in length.

Large trunks, with a diameter of 3 feet (0.9 meters) and lengths of 10 to 12 feet (3.048 to 3.6 meters), are found along the line of rubble. Spars of about 1 foot (0.3 meters) in diameter, with 4 feet (1.2 meters) in length exposed, run from embedment in the lake’s muddy bottom up through a layer of trunks into the mass of rubble. The foundation consists of tightly fastened beams of wood in 10 to 12 feet (3.048 to 3.6 meter) lengths on lake floor.

Cherry Island peaks at about 4 feet (1.2 meters) above the average level of Loch Ness. Pine trees cover its surface.

The island’s original dimensions probably measured 180 feet by 168 feet (54 x 51.2 meters). With the raising of Loch Ness’ water level by 6 feet (1.8 meters) due to the construction of the Caledonian Canal (Canàl Cailleannach), completed in 1822, Cherry Island now measures 60 feet by 48 feet (18.28 x 14.63 meters).

view of Cherry Island (center right) from Loch Ness' southern shore; Tuesday, Sep. 24, 1974: Ben Brooksbank, CC BY SA 2.0 Generic, via Wikimedia Commons

The construction of the Cherry Island crannog dates to prehistory, with later medieval usage.

During the 15th century, the Fraser Clan of Lovat (Scottish Gaelic: Clann Frisealach), a Highland Scottish clan associated with Inverness-shire, with lands rimming eastern Loch Ness, built a castle, now submerged and waterlogged, on the island for defense and domestic purposes. A causeway once linked the northwest corner of the island to three large boulders on the mainland.

The raising of the loch's water level obscured a nearby natural island, Eilean nan Con ("Dog Island"), of rocky formation with no artificial elements. Eilean nan Con is thought to have measured about 20 yards (18.2 meters) in length, with a width of 15 yards (13.7 meters). Eilean nan Con may have sheltered hunting dogs associated with Cherry Island's castle.

In the United Kingdom, designation as a scheduled monument, which bestows national importance on an archaeological site or historic building, provides protection against unauthorized changes. On Dec. 10, 2001, Cherry Island was subscribed as a Scheduled Monument.

Today Cherry Island is appreciated as Loch Ness’ unique island, viewed as part of a tour of the lake’s outstanding scenery and tourist destinations.

Fort Augustus Abbey was constructed from 1876 to 1880 a on southwestern site gifted in 1876 by Simon Fraser, 13th Lord Lovat (Dec. 21, 1828–Sept. 6, 1887).

Urquhart Castle (Scottish Gaelic: Caisteal na Sròine) was built during the 13th to 16th centuries on a northwest sandstone promontory. The castle stands on the site of a medieval fortification of the 5th to 11th centuries.

Nessie the Loch Ness Monster is a world-famous cryptid (Ancient Greek: κρυπτός, kryptos, "hidden") whose existence is suggested but eludes scientific discovery or documentation. Nessie's identity is likened to a floating island; a gigantic octopus or squid; or an extinct dinosaur such as the long-necked plesiosaur.

For information on Cherry Island, Loch Ness as travel destination:
website for Visit Inverness/Loch Ness: http://www.visitinvernesslochness.com/travel/

early one misty morning on Loch Ness; Cherry Island in the mist: Des Colhoun, CC BY SA 2.0 Generic, via Wikimedia Commons

Acknowledgment

My special thanks to talented artists and photographers/concerned organizations who make their fine images available on the internet.

Image credits:

Cherry Island explained; view of Cherry Island from explanatory marker, with graphic of castle, on shore; Wednesday, April 9, 2008: Des Colhoun, CC BY SA 2.0 Generic, via Wikimedia Commons @ https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Cherry_Island_Explained.jpg;
Des Colhoun, CC BY SA 2.0 Generic, via Geograph Britain and Ireland @ https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/757520

Cherry Island's crannog contours, 1908 sketch by Russian Catholic priest and linguist Reverend Father Henry Cyril Dieckhoff (Russian: Генрих Кирилл Дикхофф; July 3, 1869-Aug. 5, 1950); Rev. Odo Blundell, "Notice of the Examination, by Means of a Diving-Dress, of the Artificial Island, or Crannog, of Eilean Muireach, in the South End of Loch Ness," Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, vol. XLIII (1908-1909), figure 2, page 163: via Internet Archive @ https://archive.org/details/dli.ministry.19200/page/163/mode/1up

view of Cherry Island from Loch Ness' southern shore; Tuesday, Sep. 24, 1974: Ben Brooksbank, CC BY SA 2.0 Generic, via Wikimedia Commons @ https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Loch_Ness_geograph-3208041-by-Ben-Brooksbank.jpg;
Ben Brooksbank, CC BY SA 2.0 Generic, via Geograph Britain and Ireland @ https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/3208041

early one misty morning on Loch Ness; Cherry Island in the mist: Des Colhoun, CC BY SA 2.0 Generic, via Wikimedia Commons @ https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Early_one_misty_morning_on_Loch_Ness_-_geograph.org.uk_-_758506.jpg;
Des Colhoun, CC BY SA 2.0 Generic, via Geograph Britain and Ireland @ https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/758506

For further information:

Blundell, the Rev. Odo. “Notice of the Examination, by Means of a Diving-Dress, of the Artificial Island, or Crannog, of Eilean Muireach, in the South End of Loch Ness.” Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, Session MDCCCCVIII-MDCCCCIX [1908-1090], vol. XLIII (vol. VII--Fourth Series) (MDCCCCIX [1909]): 159–164.
Available via Internet Archive @ https://archive.org/details/dli.ministry.19200/page/159/mode/1up

“Cherry Island, crannog, Inchnacardoch Bay, Loch Ness.”Historic Scotland > Scheduled Monuments.
Available @ http://data.historic-scotland.gov.uk/pls/htmldb/f?p=2300:35:4100614368032993::::P35_SELECTED_MONUMENT:9762

“Cherry Island, Loch Ness.” ScotlandsPlaces.
Available @ http://www.scotlandsplaces.gov.uk/record/rcahms/12226/cherry-island-loch-ness/rcahms

Coventry, Martin. Castles of the Clans: The Strongholds and Seats of 750 Scottish Families and Clans. Musselburgh UK: Goblinshead, 2008.

Glen-Albyne or Tales of the Scottish Highlands. With illustrations from original sketches and photographs. Fort Augustus UK: Abbey Press, 19--.
Available via Internet Archive @ https://archive.org/details/glenalbynortales00slsnuoft

Leighton, John M., John Fleming, and John Wilson. The Lakes of Scotland: A Series of Views, from Paintings Taken Expressly for the Work, by John Fleming, Esq.; with Historical and Descriptive Illustrations, by John M. Leighton; and Remarks on the Character of the Highland Scenery of Scotland, by John Wilson. Edinburgh and London: A. Fullerton & Sons, MDCCCXXXIX (1839).

Morrison, Ian. Landscape with Lake Dwellings: The Crannogs of Scotland. Edinburgh UK: University Press, 1985.