Wikipedia:WikiProject Scottish Islands/Monro's Hebrides

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The following draft is now in mainspace as Description of the Western Isles of Scotland. This page is retained as a reference as it contains ye "original research", the use of which is restricted by the powers to quolm Wikipedia is pertained.

Your most obedient servant,

Ben MacDui 20:03, 21 February 2011 (UTC)

In the tables a linked "WP Name" is given where possible. The others are Ordnance Survey names.

Likelihood that Monro's island has been identified:

A - Certain

B - Probable

C - Possible

S - Sheer Speculation

U - Unknown

Quotes are Monro unless otherwise noted. The 1774 Auld version was used as a basis for this project page, and various sections are missing from this that are retained in the Sibbald MS, which is the basis of the mainspace article.

R. W. Munro (1961) states that "of the 251 islands listed by Monro, I have been unable to identify 27, and a further 23 cannot be regarded as certain". The modern names of the islands he believes he has identified are listed in the index in alphabetical order, making coordination with the numerical list tiresome.

Referencing

The following is an example of a mainspace entry for Muck:

In 1549, Dean Monro wrote: "Be ane haffe myle of sea to this ile, lyes ane ile of twa myle lang, callit in Erische Ellannaneche, that is the Swynes ile, and very fertill and fruitful of cornes and grassing for all store, and verey guid for fishing, inhabit and manurit, a good falcon nest in it. It perteynis to the Bishope of the iles, with ane guid heighland haven in it, the entrey quherof is at the west cheik".

The reference appears in the footnote section as: Monro (1549) "Swynes Ile" no. 102

and the Template:Monro provides the reference of: Monro, Sir Donald (1549) Description of the Western Isles of Scotland. William Auld. Edinburgh - 1774 edition.

Firth of Clyde and vicinity

Monro's No.	Monro's Name	Monipennie's Name	WP Name	Likelihood	Comments
1	Isle of Man	Isle of Man	Isle of Man	A	"of old called Dubonia" according to Monipennie.
2	Elsay	Ailsay	Ailsa Craig	B
3	Arran	Arran	Arran	A
4	Flada	Flada	Pladda	B	With lenition, Plada(igh) yields f- in Gaelic
5	Molass	Molas	Holy Isle, Firth of Clyde	A	Modern Gaelic is Eilean Mo Laise
6	Buitt	Isle of Bute	Bute	A
7	Inche Mernoche	Isle Mernoca	Inchmarnock	A
8	Cumbra	Great Cambra	Great Cumbrae	A
9	Cumbray Dais	Little Cambra	Little Cumbrae	A
10	Avoyn	Porticosa Avona	Sanda	A	Modern Gaelic is Àbhainn
11	Carrith Skeathe		Carraig Sgeith	B	"one the shore of Kintyre, layes ane iyle with a castle". Tiny island at NR656071. Munro does not list it in his index.
12	Rachlaiun	Rachuda	Rathlin Island	A

West of Kintyre

Monro's No.	Monro's Name	Monipennie's Name	WP Name	Likelihood	Comments
13	Caray	Caraia	Cara	A
14	Gigay	Gigaia	Gigha	A
15	Duray	Jura	Jura	A	Translation: Youngson (2001) pp. 144-6.
16	Skarbay	Scarba	Scarba	A
17	Veliche	Isle Ballach	Eilean a Bealach	A	NM712065

Slate Islands (1)

Monro's No.	Monro's Name	Monipennie's Name	WP Name	Likelihood	Comments
18	Gilbrastol	Genistaria	Guirasdeal	B	"a very little iyle" probably Guirasdeal at NM693079. Monipennie has two islands here, the second called "Gearastilla".
19	Lungay	Longaia	Lunga	A
20	Fidlachaille		Fiola Meadhonach	B	Monipennie has the "two Fidlais". I'd be tempted to read that as Fiola something, same below. In many southern Gaelic dialects dark L has overtones of d and in some places (Islay for example) some initial dark L's have become d per se. So from a Gaelic POV, Fiola/Fidla are very close. Fiola Meadhonach is part of the Lunga group.
21	Fidlavirow		Rubha Fiola	B	Northern island of the Lunga group.

• Missing: Insh, Eilean Dubh Mòr, Eilean Dubh Beag
• Note: At high tide the northern tip of Lunga, Firth of Lorn becomes several separate islets with Rubha Fiola to the north, then Fiola Meadhonach, Eilean Ìosal and finally Fiola an Droma closest to Lunga proper. It is not clear how any of those names could become "Fidlachaille or " Fidlavirow"

Garvellachs

Monro's No.	Monro's Name	Monipennie's Name	WP Name	Likelihood	Comments
22	Garrowhellach Sheain		Garbh Eileach	S	" in Eriche namit Garowhellach Skean." - the Sgeiran Dubha rocks are just offshore from Eileach an Naoimh.
23	Garowhillach-Nanronow		Eileach an Naoimh	S	Monipennie has the "three Barbais" here.
24	Nanaose			U	"Narrist to this iyle of Garowhellach-Nanronow layes ther a verey little iyle," - there is an unnamed islet between Eileach an Naoimh and A Chuli There's a genitive in there, that's all I can say; nan (n)aoise/aosa or something like that.
25	Culibrenyn	Culbremna	A Chuli	S
26	Dunchonill	Dunum	Dùn Channuill	A

Slate islands (2)

Monro's No.	Monro's Name	Monipennie's Name	WP Name	Likelihood	Comments
27	Madie	Coilp?	Ulva Islands?	S	"layes betwixt Lungay, and being callit in Englishe the Wolfiis iyle." Monipennie has "Cuparia" here. The Ulva Islands are in Loch Sween at NR727824 which are tidal and therefore more likely to have been inhabited by wolves than a small offshore island. May not have been wolves. Madie > M(h)adaidh, and that has undergone semantic change from dog to various canines, including madadh-allaidh wolf and madadh-ruadh "fox"
28	Belnachna	Beluahua	Belnahua	A	See Gillies
29	Vickeran	Vickerana		U
30	Nagawnwa	Vitulina	Eilean Gamhna	B	Element missing, presumably Eilean - the rest looks like na(n) Gamhna "of the stirks". Eilean Gamhna is in Loch Melfort.
31	Lunge	Lumga	Luing	A
32	Seill	Seila	Seil	A
33	Seunay	Scana	Shuna, Slate Islands	B
34	Sklaitt	Sklata	Eilean-a-beithich	C	Now a drowned island - See Gilles
35	Nawissoge	Naguigosa			Looks like a genitive in there; if pushed I'd reckon the first is (Eilean) na(n) Uiseag (Island of the Larks), the second is either a whossename, letters the wrong way or na(n) Guigeas but that looks weird. Anyone know a Lark Island?
36	Eisdcalfe	Eisdalsa	Easdale	B	See Gillies Is this a bad transliteration? If we read c > e and lf > ll, we get Eisdealle which is very close to Gaelic Èisdeal

Craignish, Taynish and Jura

According to Youngson (2001) Monro's "island lists normally seem to deal with a central island and its surrounding islets. However, islands 37-52 defeat all attempts to identify with Lorn and turn out to be near Jura." Youngson bases this on research by Malcolm MacArthur, but the numbers he uses are either from a different version of Monro's list or in error. A problem here is that while the candidates provided by Youngson/MacArthur are credible, for most of this section there are also credible, and in some cases much larger and better known, candidates that lie off the Craignish and Taynish peninsulas. Two lists are therefore presented. The identification of the Small Islands of Jura are more satisfactory. Youngson also states that the islands "to the south of Jura are all easily identified" in Monro although he does not make the connections explicit. He does say that Glas Eilean, Sound of Jura means "grey island" but that it "is really a very green island", hinting perhaps at a connection with Greine Ilye and that Brosdale Island is Monro's "Ellan na cravich" i.e. Hasil Iyle. Youngson's analysis has the advantage of verifiability but seems to involve various leaps of faith.

Monro's No.	Monro's Name	Monipennie's Name	Youngson	Likelihood	Alternative	Likelihood	Comments
37	Inche Kenyth	Skennia	Not addressed		No obvious candidate	U
38	Inchian	Isle Thiania	Shian Island north of Loch Tarbert	B	Inchaig in Loch Craignish NM810044	S
39	Uderga	Uderga	"An unnamed island offshore from Glenbatrick"	C	Rocks or skerries between Shian Island and the shore	C	- "ane uther verey small rock". Glenbatrick is on the south shore of Loch Tarbert.
40	King’s Iyle	King's Island	Eileanan Gleann Righ, Loch Tarbert	C	Eilean Rìgh	B
41	Black Isle	Duffa	Eilean Dubh a' Chumhainn Mhóir, Loch Tarbert	B	Eilean Dubh, Loch Criagnish NM792019	A
42	Kirke Isle	Island of the Church	Eilean na h-Eaglais	C	Eilean na Cille NM752969	S	Youngson does not identify the location of Eilean na h-Eaglais (which Monro refers to as "callit in Erisch Leid Nahagleis") but he implies it may be Eilean an Easbuig (island of the bishop) in inner Loch Tarbert
43	Chrearache	Triaracha	Eilean Chraoibhe chaorinn	C	Creagach Chrosgach	S	Youngson's translation is "hazel wood island" although is not clear where it is - Loch Tarbert? Tiny Creagach Chrosgach is at NM768033
44	Arde	Ardua	Eilean Ard, Loch Tarbert	B	No obvious candidate
45	Laich Ile	Humlis	Eilean Iosal, Loch Tarbert	B	No obvious candidate		"callit in Erisch Leid Ellan Esill" Ah, brainwave. Laich = Humilis > Eilean Ìosal/Ìseal. Is there an Eilean Ìosal nearby? - Yes - in Loch Tarbert, Jura and see 44.
46	Greine Ilye	Viridis	Glas Eilean, Sound of Jura	C	Eilean Glas, Loch Crinan	C	"namit in Erish Leid Glassellan". Glas Eilean in Loch Caolisport and Eilean Glas in Loch Crinan are contenders with the latter more likely. Greine looks like an ecplised form of An Crìona(n) anyway (which would make it sound like ang grìona(n). So the one in Loch Crinan looks better to me too. There is a Glas Eilean in the Sound of Islay.
47	Heddir Iyle	Ericca	Am Fraoch Eilean, Sound of Islay?	C	Eilean Fraoch	S	Although Monro is almost certainly referring to Eilean Fraoch, the question is - which one? There is one on the west coast of Luing, another in the Cuan Sound off Torsa, a third at Croabh Haven and another west of the Taynish peninsula at NR712860. This last is near Eilean nan Coinean - see 50 below. There is also Am Fraoch Eilean in the Sound of Islay.
48	Hasil Iyle	Arboraria	Brosdale Island, Sound of Islay	C	No obvious candidate		Monro states that " in the Erish is callit Ellan-na-Crawiche" Younsgson translates this as "wooded island", although it is not clear what the connection with Brosdale is. Any ideas on Hasil? Anyway, looks very much like Eilean na(n) Craobh- something with trees or shrubs. It would suggest craobhaiche, craobh with an agentive suffix though I can find no record of such a word. If it existed, it could men "forestry person"
49	Gatis Iyles	Capraria	Eilean nan Gabhar, Small Isles of Jura	B	Eilean nan Gabhar, south of Eilean Righ	C	NM791003 "callit in the Erishe Leid Ellan Nagonre" Yup, that screams goat, Eilean na Goibhre
50	Conings Ile	Cunicularia	Eilean nan Coinean, Small Isles of Jura	B	Eilean nan Coinean	C	NM776967 west of Taynish or at NM782974 just north of Crinan. "callit in the Erish Leid Ellan Nagenin" Yup again, rabbit island or Eilean nan Coinean with eclipsis of c > g
51	Idyle Iyle	Isle of Idlemen	Eilean Diomhain, Small Isles of Jura	B	No obvious candidate		"callit be the Erish Ellan Dravin". Youngson's translation is "idle or useless island" - a perhaps apt description of this very small islet in comparison to the four larger Small Isles.

Missing: Eilean Mhic Chrion; Eilean Bhride (conceivably Eisell /Abridita below) and Pladda of the Small Isles, Jura;

Other Argyll

Abridita is mentioned in Habakkuk Bisset's Rolment of courtis, Volume 13. This quotes a note which implies proximity to Lismore, but the likelihood is that Monro is the source.

Monro's No.	Monro's Name	Monipennie's Name	WP Name	Likelihood	Comments
52	Eisell	Abridita		U
53	Uridithe			U
54	Lismoir	Lismora	Lismore	A

Islay

Johan Blaeu's 1654 atlas of "Ila Insula"

Under 56 Monro states "Her begin to circkell Iyla, sune gaittis aboute with litle iyles." The percentage of islands listed is high and must include several very small islets. This apparently comprehensive coverage contrasts with the later absence of Coll and Tiree. Some islands may surround Jura, although there is no hint of this in Monro's text. There are correspondences with Johan Blaeu's 1654 atlas, and either various islets have changed their names in subsequent years or possibly Blaeu knew of Monro's work and added in a few islet's on this basis?

Monro's No.	Monro's Name	Monipennie's Name	WP Name	Likelihood	Comments
55	Ila	Yla	Islay	A
56	Earne Isle		Eilean a' Chùirn	B	"At the mouth of Kyle Ila, betwixt it and Duray, lyes ane ile, callit in Erische Leid Ellan Charne, in English the iyle of Earne". Only Am Fraoch Eilean, Brosdale Island and Glas Eilean fit the geography exactly. Monipennie has "a little island, taking the name from a cairne of stones". Eilean a' Chùirn is a bit further south, cùirn being the genitive of càrn.
57	Hessil Iyle	Colurna	Eilean Craobhach	B	"callit in Erish the Leid Ellan Natravie" I'd say Eilean na Tràighe/Tràghaidh (/v/ can be a reflex of gh in Gaelic). Eilean Croabhach is the only island of substance not otherwise mentioned here and is identified by Munro with an accompanying "?". Craobhach is "pertaining to trees". Ellan na caltin blatantly is Eilean na Calltainn "Hazel Island" which oddly brings us to Hessil because my Scots Dictionary lists hissel(l)/hessill etc for "hazel". Now that we have that, Colurna clearly colurnus/colurna/colurnum "made of/pertaining to hazel"!
58	Mulmoryris Iyle	Mulvoris	Eilean Mhic Mhaolmhoire	B	"Ellan M’luray" Eilean Mhic MhaolMhoire, no? The -s crops up Scots versions sometimes, so Mulmory < MaolMhoire. Blaeu has a Mallmoirie in this general area.
59	Ofrum	Ossuna	Outram	C
60	Brydes Iyle	Brigidana	Eilean Bhride	C	NR463481 I'd say yes. Blaeu has a Brydi west of here.
61	Cors Ker	Corskera	Corr Sgeir	B	Korskyr in Blaeu's atlas west of Dounowaig
62	Eisilache	the Low island	Iseanach Mòr	S	Unlikely, the variation very strongly points to two different informants, one using ìosal (with s), the other ìseal (with sh), both meaning "low".
63	Imerska	Imersga	Eilean Imersay	B
64	Bethey	Beathia		U	There is an unnamed peninsula or tidal islet on the west of Imersay that could fit the bill. Every other contender in the area is a skerry. Blaeu has Bethidh near here.
65	Tisgay	Texa	Texa	A	Blaeu's Ylen Teghsa
66	Scheipis Iyle	Ovicularia	Eilean nan Caorach	B
67	Myresnypes Iyle	Noasiga		U	"by the Erishe namit Ellan na Naoske" Eilean na Naosg - Snipe Island but pass as to where it is
68	Ness Poynte Iyle	Vinarda		U	"the yle at the west poynt"
69	Lyart Iyle	Cava		U	There is a tiny Eilean Liath near Kilchiaran Bay, west of the Rhinns.
70	Tairskeray	Tarsheria		S	Eilean an Tannais-sgeir, which is north-east of Eilean Liath.
71	Achnarra	Auchnarra		U	Blaeu offers Achnar
72	Grait Iyle	The great island		S	Probably Eileanan Mòra near the Mull of Oa. (Eilean Mòr is a peninsula at NR212697, which is north-east of Eilean an Tannais-sgeir on the northwest coast.) Blaeu has Ylen Moir.
73	The Iyle of the Man’s Figure	the island made like a man		U	Sgeirean Buidhe Ghil near Eileanan Mòra? There are various other small islets here not named by the OS. Conjecture but Buidhe Ghil doesn't make sense in Gaelic on so many levels. If there's a person in there, it could be Buidhe Ghill(e) "lucky lad" but it looks more like a crazy spelling of Buachaille "cowherder". Blaeu has Ylen Dealbhdhuin here.
74	Jhone’s Iyle	The isle of John		U	"Ellan Ean" and Ylen Ean in Blaeu's atlas
75	Starbeades	Slakebadis		U	"the Erische calls Stackbeades". Blaeu has Stackchabhada somewhere near the Oa and the next named island on the map is Orsay/Oversa
76	Onersay	Oversa	Orsay	B
77	Merchands Iyle	The Marchants island	Eilean Mhic Coinnich	B	"callit by the Erische Ellan Kenyth"
78	Usabrast	Usabrasta	Frenchman's Rocks	S	Just north of Eilean Mhic Coinnich between it and Eilean an Tannais-sgeir. Hm Uspraig ... could be but unsure. Usab/Usp can be taken as identical from the Gaelic phonological POV but the change in the ending is odd unless it went Usabrast > Usabraist (genitive, resulting in -ishch [ɪʃtʲ]) > hypercorrection to -aig because SW Scotland Gaelic slender g was often /tʲ/, cf ciamar [kʲ] vs [tʰʲ].
79	Tanefte	Tanasta	Eilean an Tannais-sgeir	S	NR188639
80	Nese	Nesa	Nave Island	A	"beside the entresse of Lochgrunord"
81	Vebster	The Weavers island	Na Badagan	S	"callit by the Erische themselves Ellan Nabaney". The Na Badagan rocks lie just off Ardnave point near Nave Island.

Colonsay and Mull

In the earlier part of this table Monro and Monipennie seem to travel side-by-side. Here they diverge company for a while. The linguistic relationships between "Moroan" and "Rudana" (91) and "Reringe" and "Bernira" (92) are not clear. Both writers seem to refer to Inch Kenneth at 93. After Frosa (94) Monipennie states that "all their isles are subject to Sanct Colme's abbey" and all seems well. At 95 Monro has "Calfa" which could be Calve Island, but Monipennie has "Vilua, five miles of length", which can only be Ulva, "Toluansa" (which could be Little Colonsay) and "Gomatra", which is clearly Gometra. Monipennie then continues with "Staffæ", the two "Kerimburgæ" and other islands that are more easily understood, whilst Monro remains silent. Monro's 96-99 are harder to place but at this point Monipennie is once again congruent with the earlier list.

It is reasonable to conclude from his comment about Eilean Mòr, Lochbuie that Monipennie had not been entertained by, or perhaps even heard of, "M’Gillayne of Lochbuy".

Monro's No.	Monro's Name	Monipennie's Name	WP Name	Likelihood	Comments
82	Ornansay	Ornansa	Oronsay, Inner Hebrides	A
83	Ellan Namuche	Swines island		U	"half ane myle lang" Gaelic is indeed Eilean na(m) Muice, Island of the Pig(s).
84	Colnansay	Coluansa	Colonsay	A
85	Mull	Mule	Mull	A
86	The Dow Iyle	Columbaria	Eilean a' Chalmain?	C	"ane little ile, by the Erische namit Ellan-chane". Eilean à Chalmain is southwest of Erraid. Columbaria does suggest Eilean a' Chalmain but Ellan-chane is a bit... far fetched from that.
87	Erray	Era	Erraid	A
88	Colmkill	Island of Sanct Colme	Iona	A
89	Soa	Soa	Soa Island	A
90	Naban	Isle of Women	Eilean nam Ban	A	Looks good, he has this habit of dropping Eilean...
91	Moroan	Rudana		U
92	Reringe	Bernira		U
93	Inche Kenzie	Skennia	Inch Kenneth	B	Yes, the Skennia will be the last -s in In(n)is
94	Eorsay	Frosa	Eorsa	B	There's a lot of f <> vowel variation in Gaelic as lenition of f leads to a zero and thus often an initial vowel
95	Calfa	-	Calve Island	B	"Upon the narrest coste of Mull layes ane iyle callit Calfe, ane myle of lenthe, full of woods, with ane sufficient raid for shipes, perteyning to M’Gillayne of Doward." The lbh (An Calbh) often devoices to f.
96	The Glasse Iles	Glassæ	Glas Eileanan	B	Glas Eileanan is just off Rubha an Ridire. Possibly Eileanan Glass NM596450 The former looks more likely, bearing in mind the prefixed adjective.
97	Ardin Rider	Arden Eider	Eilean Rubha an Ridire	B	NM724405 It looks more like Àird an Ridire, is it possible that he accidentally got the name for the hill behind Rubha an Ridire?
98	Ellan Madie	Luparia or "Wolfe island"	Eilean a' Mhadaidh, Loch Don	B
99	Ellan Moir	A great isle	Eilean Mòr, Lochbuie	B	"upon the shore of Mull, lyes ane ile, callit by the Erishe Ellan-moir, guid for store and for fishing, pertening to M’Gillayne of Lochbuy."

Staffa is missing from Monro's list, but it is a small island and in his day it had not achieved its later fame, which did not occur until its late 18th century "discovery". It is fleetingly mentioned by Monipennie and it is clear from his remarks he knows nothing of its actual nature.

Monipennie's additions

Monipennie's Name	WP Name	Likelihood	Comments
Vilua	Ulva	B	"five miles of length"
Toluansa	Little Colonsay	C
Gomatra	Gometra	A	"about 300 paces from this island"
Staffæ	Staffa	A	"four mile southward, lye the two Staffæ both full of havening places"
the two Kerimburgæ	Cairn na Burgh Mòr and Cairn na Burgh Beag	A
Longa	Lunga, Treshnish Isles	B
Bacha	Bac Mòr	B	Bac Beag is also a possibility He may well have recorded a plural, i.e. Na Bacan, if there's two of them.
Tiria	Tiree	A	Yes, it has a final syllable in Gaelic Tiriodh
Sunna	Gunna	B	Bearing in mind the similarity of Goidelic capital G and Continental capital S, that's likely a transcription error
Colla	Coll	A
Culsa		U
Mekle Viridis		U
Little Viridis		U

Small Isles

Blaeu's 1654 Atlas of Scotland - The Small Isles

Monro's No.	Monro's Name	Monipennie's Name	WP Name	Likelihood	Comments
100	Ronin	Ruma	Rùm	A
101	The Horse Iyle	Horse island	Eilean nan Each	A	Off Muck
102	Swynes Ile	Swine island	Muck	A
103	Kannay	Canna	Canna	A
104	Egga	Egga	Eigg	A

Skye

Monro's No.	Monro's Name	Monipennie's Name	WP Name	Likelihood	Comments
105	Soa Urettil	Soabrittella	Soay, Skye	B	Blaeu's atlas also uses this name.
106	Sky	Skye	Skye	A
107	Oransay	Oronsa	Ornsay?	C	"at the west syde of Sleit lyes ane callit Oransay, ane myle lange" - Ornsay is east of Sleat and not of this size.
108	Nagoyneyne	Cunicularia		U	"Fornent Loche Alshe lyes ane iyle, callit in Erishe Ellan Nagoyneyne, that is to say, Cunings ile" Rabbits again... Eilean nan Coineanach is what we're looking for but pass as to location.
109	Pabay	Paba	Pabay	B
110	Scalpay	Scalpa	Scalpay	B
111	Crowling	Crulinga	Crowlin Islands	A
112	Raarsay	Raorsa	Raasay	A
113	Ronay	Rona	South Rona	A
114	Ellan Gearlochie	Gerloch	Longa Island	S	Possibly Eilean Horrisdale
115	Fladday	Flada	Staffin Island	C	"To the north fra Ronay, be sex myle of sea, lyes ane ile namit Fladday, ane maine laiche ile, half ane myle lange, inhabit and manurit fruitfull in corne and gerssing, perteining to Donald Gormesone." Apparently also known as Fladdaidh. See also Fladda-chuain at 174, which is a possible candidate, although more like 20 miles from South Rona.
116	Tuilin	Euilmena	Tulm Island	C	Yes, I'd say. The in could be badly copied m or the helping vowel. The initial vowel Euilmena can be explained too, as genitive of Tulm yield Thuilm where the initial /h/ could easily go astray and sound like /ulim/.
117	-	-			"Four myle of sea fra this ile Tuilin, northwart, lyes an ile callit -----."
118	Cransay	Oronsa	Oronsay, Loch Bracadale	A
119	Buyamoire	Kyna Pabra	Wiay	B	"Be ane myle of sea to this ile of Cransay, layes ane callit Buyamoire, guid for corne and store, perteining to M’Cloyd of Herray". Various candidates But only one that's fits Buay(moire). I'd bet money it's Wiay. Wiay is Norse and Gaelic dislikes initial fricatives intensly, frequently de-leniting them to stops. w/v > b is a common rule (cf vervain > bearbhain, votum > bòid, walla > balla etc). Wiay > Buaigh/Buidheigh is perfectly reasonable. -moire points to a masculine first element, which fits nicely as all Norse -ey islands lead to a masculine reflex -aigh/eigh w/e.
120-26	-	Great Bina and five little islands		U
127	Isay	Isa	Isay	A	Monipennie adds "beside it is Ouia"
128	Askerin	Askerma	Ascrib Islands	B
129	Lindill	Lindella	Eilean Mor, Lyndale Point	S	NG362573

Barra and the Barra Isles

Campbell (1936) states that Monro "apparently had visited Barra, but is is clear that he writes of the smaller islands from hearsay alone".

Monro's No.	Monro's Name	Monipennie's Name	WP Name	Likelihood	Comments
130	Lingay	Linga	Lingeigh	A
131	Gigarun	Gigarmena	Greanamul	B	"Backwart to the north, besydes the ile of Lingay, lyes ane ile callit Gigarun, halfe myle lang, perteining to the bischop of the iles". Looks odd. Based on the two names I'd be looking for a Gaelic name like Gighearum/Gighearam/Giorum/Gioram.
132	Berneray	Benera	Barra Head	A
133	Megaly	Megela	Mingulay	A
134	Pabay	Paua	Pabbay, Barra	A
135	Fladay	Flada	Flodday near Vatersay	B
136	Scarpnamutt	Scarpa	Muldoanich	A	Monipennie adds "Vernecum" here
137	Sanderay	Sandera	Sandray	A
138	Wattersay	Vatersa	Vatersay	A
139	Barray	Barra	Barra	A

Sound of Barra

Monro's No.	Monro's Name	Monipennie's Name	WP Name	Likelihood	Comments
140	Orvansay	Oronsa	Orosay	C	There are two tiny Orosaighs off Barra
141	Nahacharrach	Onia		U	"Besides this ile lyes Ellan-Nahacharrach, by the Erishe so callit, and in Englishe the Sheipes ile, ane little ile full of gerssing and store, perteining to M’Neill of Barray." "Not known" according to Campbell, but conceivably Fiaraidh, which means 'grass' or 'pasture' island and which Campbell assigns to 151.
142	Nahakersait	Hakerseta		U	"Not known" That looks very much like na h-acarsaid "of the anchorage". Presumably Eilean/Innis is missing again. Possibly Sheileam/Healam at "An Acarsaid" at the end of the Bruairnis peninsula.
143	Garnlanga	Garnlanga	Garbh Lingeigh	A
144	Flada	Flada	Flodday, Sound of Barra	C
145	Bwyabeg	Little Buya		U	"Not known" But the mòr/beag is a bit... well, where's the second one? There are numerous candidates but none have this name today.
146	Bywa-moir	Great Buya		U	"Not known" See note above about Wiay.
147	Hay	Haya	Fuiay	B	Based on his habit of dropping Inis/Eilean, I'd say Heinish
148	Hettesay	Hell sea	Hellisay	B
149	Gigay	Gigaia	Gighay	A
150	Lingay	Lingaia	Lingeigh	C	Conceivably Lingay, Fiaray or Garbh Lingeigh off Fuiay.
151	Feray	Foraia	Fiaraidh	A	See 141.
152	Fuday	Fudaia	Fuday	A

Missing: Calvay

Uists

Monro's No.	Monro's Name	Monipennie's Name	WP Name	Likelihood	Comments
153	Eriskeray	Eriscaia	Eriskay	A
154	Ywst	Vistus	Uist	A
155	Blank
156	Helsker Nagaillon	Helsther Wetularum	Monach Isles	C	"ane ile four myle and haff myle braid". Haskeir Eagach south west of Haskeir hardly fits this description, but the Monach Isles also known as Heisker (Scottish Gaelic: Eilean Heisgeir / Heisgeir fit the description. The second part looks like na gaillinn "of the storm" or na cailin of the lass".
157	Haysker	Haneskera	Haskeir	B	"northwast fra this Kentnache of Ywst, be twalve myle of sea"
158	Hirta	Hirta	Hirta	A
159	Valay	Velaia	Vallay	A

Missing: Numerous islands including Ronay, Stuley, Baleshare, Kirkibost etc.

Benbecula: Monro does mention Benbecula and North Uist. In No 154 he begins by describing "this south part of Ywst" and goes on: "and in the north syde of this there is ane parochin callit Buchagla, perteining to the said Clandonald. At the north end thereof the sea cuts the countrey againe, and that cutting of the sea is called Careynesse, and benorth this countrey is called Kenehnache of Ywst, that is in Englishe, the north head of Ywst." A search for "Buchagla" you will provide google hits stating it is Benbecula and according to the Jan 1866 Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries, Beandmoyll, Beanweall, and Benvalgha are other variants found "in charters".

Lewis and Harris (1)

Monro's No.	Monro's Name	Monipennie's Name	WP Name	Likelihood	Comments
160	Soa	Soa
161	The Pigmies Ile	island of the Pigmeis		The "dry island" of Luchraban	"At the north poynt of Lewis", "with ane little kirk in it of ther awn handey wark". An extraordinary story.
162	Fabill	Fabilla	Eilean Mòr Phabail	C	NB524302 - although supposedly "at the southeist shore of the Lewis"? Lenited p does yield /f/.
163	Adain	Adams island		U	Tiny Eilean à Chrotaich is in roughly the right place.
164	Na-naun	Lambe island	Eilean nan Uan	A	NB459307
165	Huiture	Hulmetia	Eilean Thuilm	S	"Betwixt this ile and Stornaway ther lyes Ellan Huiture". Eilean Thuilm appears as "Holm Island" on old maps. And tulm, tuilm is the Gaelic form of Norse holm.
166	Vic-couill	Viccoilla		U	Are there any MhicSomebody islands in the area? Eilean MhicThormaid near Loch Erisort is hard to fit into the phonetics. I'd expect something like MhicCumhail/MhicCuil/MhicCoil(l)
167	Haleuray	Hana	Tannaraidh	C	Monipennie adds "Rera" here. Possibly intended "Hana Rera" as one island? Initial H points us to Th and thus T, so I'd say Tan(n)araigh.
168	Laxay	Laxa	Eilean Mòr Lacasaidh, Loch Erisort	B	Yes, Norse Laxay > Lacasaigh is a regular development.
169	Err	Era	Eire	A	"which is in English Irland". Just north of Grodhaigh in the Sound of Harris
170	St. Colmes Ile	Dove island	Eilean Chaluim Chille	B
171	Tooray	Tora	Eilean Thoraidh	C	NB419204. Tabhaigh Mòr and Tannaraidh also lie near Eilean Chaluim Chille. Thòraidh though; and it looks like the oo is trying to show length.
172	Ellan Hurte	Affurta	Eilean Liubhaird	C*
173	Scalpay of Harray	Scalpa	Scalpay, Outer Hebrides	A
174	Fladay	Flada	Fladda-chuain	C	"Towards the northeist frae [Scalpay] ... be 20 myle of sea". See also 115.
175	Senta	Senta	Garbh Eilean	B	"that is in English a Saw, ane ile mair than twa myle lang". In Gaelic the Shiant Isles are Na h-Eileanan Seunta. The description of the strong currents through the Toll a' Roimh natural arch is vivid.
176	Senchastle	Old Castle	Eilean Mhuire	B	Seann Chaisteal (old castle) is the name of southern promontory on Eilean Mhuire. See also talk page.

Missing: Seaforth Island, Eilean Mhealasta, Eilean Molach & Greineam, on the NW coast

North Highland coast

Monro's No.	Monro's Name	Monipennies Name	WP Name	Likelihood	Comments
177	Ellan Ew	Ew	Isle of Ewe	B	"Upon the shore of Lochebrune"?
178	Gruynorde	Grumorta	Gruinard	B
179	Na-clerache	Priests island	Priest Island	B	Yes, nan cléireach "of the priests"
180	Afuil	Afulla	Bottle Island	S	Eilean a' Bhotail in Gaelic
181	Hawrarymoir	Great Habrera	Tanera Mòr?	S
182	Hawrarybeg	Little Habrera	Tanera Beag	S
183	Naneache	Horse isle	Horse Island	B	Clearly Eilean nan Each "island of the horses" with the eilean missing
184	Mertarye	Marta Ika		U

Missing: Isle Ristol, Handa, Oldany Island

Sound of Harris

Monipennie and Monro diverge in the order of their listings in this section and the above, with Monipennie's making more sense geographically as he starts with the Sound of Harris after Uist and then goes to the isles surrounding Lewis and Harris. He also adds a few islands in the section below that Munro does not have that are listed separately below. The correspondence between Monipennie and Monro in this section is less clear than most e.g. 190 and 191. Monipennie also adds Soa (160) to this section.

Monro's No.	Monro's Name	Monipennie's Name	WP Name	Likelihood	Comments
185	Soya-Moir	Great Soa	Soay Mòr	A
186	Ellan IIsa	Isa	Ìosaigh	C	Monipennie has "Isa" in his Sound of Harris list (below).
187	Senna-Beg	Little Saga	Saghaigh Beag	S	The Saga spelling suggests this and vocalisation of nn is not uncommon.
188	Senna-Moir	Great Saga	Saghaigh Mòr	B	See also Great and Little Seuna in section below
189	Tarandsay	Taransa	Taransay	A
190	Sleyein	Slegana	Sleicham	B	Off Ensay. See [1]
191	Tivein	Tuemon		U	The second half of either suggest -mountain Xbheinn/Xmon(s) to me.

Missing:

Monipennie's additions

"All these islands are fruitfull in cornes and store" according to Monipennie and lie between "Velaia" and the "island of Harea". This latter is accurate enough although he includes in his version Monro's 185-191, which are off the west coast of Harris rather than in the Sound of Harris as such.

Monipennie's Name	WP Name	Likelihood	Comments
Stroma	Stromay	A
Pabaia	Pabbay, Harris	A
Barneraia	Berneray, North Uist	A
Emsaia	Ensay, Outer Hebrides	B
Kelligira	Killegray	A
Harmodra	Hermetray	C
Scaria	Sgarabhaigh	B
Grialinga	Groaigh	S	Possibly Gilsaigh
Cillinsa	Ceallasaigh Mòr	S	Ceallasaigh Mòr is in Loch Maddy, North Uist, not the Sound of Harris proper.
Hea		U	Possibly Tahay No suggestions as such but bear in mind that with lenition, the actual island name may start with s or t (same goes for Hoia)
Hoia		U	Iosaigh? I can't see that working soundwise
Little Soa	Soay Beag	A
Great Seuna		U	Could these two be Saghaigh Mòr and Saghaigh Beag off the south coast of Harris? Unlikely. Seuna looks like fairly orthodox Gaelic spelling which means it would be /ʃiənə/ /she-uh-nuh/ or something similar. Saghaigh is /sɤː.aj/ /suh-aye/. How about 187 and 188 above?
Little Seuna		U

Missing: Boreray, Sursaigh, Shillay

Lewis and Harris (2)

Monro's No.	Monro's Name	Monipennie's Name	WP Name	Likelihood	Comments
192	Scarpe	Scarpa	Scarp	A
193	Seven Haley Iles	Flannæ	Flannan Isles	A
194	Garvellan	Garn-Ellan	Garbh Eilean	B	At NB125325 in Loch Ròg. There is another in Loch Erisort on the other side of Lewis. Blaeu also has Garvellan, Lamba, Flada and Kellasa, all west of Gt. Berneray
195	Lambay	Lamba		U	At the moment only Langay looks even vaguely close. Or, if lambs are involved, it might have ended up as Eilean nan Uan or something.

Loch Roag

Monro's No.	Monro's Name	Monipennie's Name	WP Name	Likelihood	Comments
196	Fladay	Flada	Flodaigh, Outer Loch Ròg	B	Although there is also Flodaigh, Lewis, which is not so close to "Kealnsay" which is described as "Besydis this lyes Kealnsay". However the other outer islands are completely missing. There is a Fladaigh at NA993152 near Scarp (192).
197	Kealnsay	Kellasa	Cealasaigh	B
198	Berneray-Beg	Little Bernera	Little Bernera	A
199	Berneray-Moir	Great Bernera	Great Bernera	A
200	Kertay	Kirta	Eilean Chearstaidh	S
201	Buya-beg	Little Bina	Fuaigh Beag	B
202	Buya-Moir	Great Bina	Fuaigh Mòr	B
203	Vaxay	Vexaia	Vacsay	A
204	Pabay	Pabaia	Pabaigh Mòr	C
205	Sigrain-moir-Nagoinein	Great Sigrama	Siaram Mòr	C	Siaram Mòr is south of Pabaigh Mòr. Monipennie adds "Cunicularia" here - the ungarbled Gaelic is Siaram Mòr na(n) Coinean
206	Sigrain-Beg	Little Sigrama		U	"ane myle of lenthe" Siaram Mòr, just off Cnìp has that little bit off the northern end that looks like it might be a tidal island and it's a lot smaller - it could be Siaram Beag.

Missing: Outer islands including Bearasaigh, Campaigh, Cealasaigh and Seanna Chnoc. Flodaigh, Outer Loch Ròg is also in this group - see above.

Lewis and Harris (3)

Monro's No.	Monro's Name	Monipennie's Name	WP Name	Likelihood	Comments
207	Harrey	Hary and Lewis	Lewis and Harris	A
208	Ronay	Rona	North Rona	A
209	Suilskeray	Suilkeraia	Sula Sgeir	A

References

See Google Books

• Campbell, John Lorne (ed) (1936) The Book of Barra. Acair - reprinted 2006.
• Patrick Hunter Gillies Netherlorn, Argyllshire, and its neighbourhood
• Monipennie, John (1818) An Abridgement, or Summarie of the Chronicles of Scotland with a Briefe description of Scotland, to which is added The description of the Western Isles of Scotland &c. Edinburgh. David Webster. Probably first published c. 1612. (For some reason this is appended to Memoirs of the Lord Viscount Dundee. (1818) Edinburgh, by Google Books.)
• Monro, Sir Donald (1549) A Description Of The Western Isles of Scotland. Appin Regiment/Appin Historical Society. Retrieved 3 March 2007. First published in 1774.
• Munro, R. W. (1961) Monro's Western Isles of Scotland and Genealogies of the Clans. Edinburgh and London. Oliver and Boyd.
• Nicolson, Adam (2002) Sea Room. London. HarperCollins. ISBN 0006532012
• Stevenson A.? (1818) Miscellanea Scotica. : A collection of tracts relating to the history, antiquities, topography, and literature of Scotland
• Youngson, Peter (2001) Jura: Island of Deer. Edinburgh. Birlinn. ISBN 1841581364