Argyll

Argyll or Argyllshire, former county, W central Scotland. Under the Local Government Act of 1973, Argyll was divided between the new Highland and Strathclyde regions in 1975, with most of the county becoming part of Strathclyde. In the local government reorganization of 1996, Strathclyde was dissolved; the portion of Argyll in that region became part of the council area of Argyll and Bute.

Argyll [Ir. Airer Goídel, country of the Gael; ScG Oirer Ghaidheal, country of the Gael; or ScG erra Ghaidheal, coastland of the Gael]. Formerly the southernmost county of Gaelic Scotland and closest to Ireland; since 1974 a north-west portion of Strathclyde. It occupies 3,110 square miles, including many islands and narrow peninsulas, nearly all of it mountainous. During Roman times the area was home to a British population called the Epidii or ‘horse people’. The region was once also known as Ergadia. After the 5th century AD the area was overrun with Gaelic settlers from Ireland, who established a kingdom at Dál Riada. One of the richest collections of Scottish Gaelic traditional literature was gathered largely in Argyll:

Bibliography

Archibald Campbell (ed.), The Waifs and Strays in Celtic Tradition (4 vols., London, 1889–91)

Argyll (district) Arg. Arregaithel c.970, Argail 1292. ‘Coastland of the Gaels’. Gaelic oirthir Ghaideal.