Shuna Island

This article is about the island in Loch Linnhe, offshore from Appin, Argyll and Bute. For the island in the Firth of Lorn, offshore from Arduaine, Argyll and Bute, see Shuna, Slate Islands. For other uses and places with the same name, see Shuna (disambiguation).

Shuna Island^[7] or simply Shuna is an island in Loch Linnhe, offshore from Appin, in Argyll and Bute, Scotland. The island is approximately two kilometres (1+1⁄4 miles) long and one kilometre (5⁄8 mi) wide, and extends to some 155 ha (383 acres) in total. The island is characterised by a table topped hill at its southern end.^[8] The name Shuna is probably derived from the Norse, for "sea island".^[1] The island is separated from Appin by the Sound of Shuna.

Shuna Island

Scottish Gaelic name	Siùna[1]
Meaning of name	either "watching island" [2] or "sea island", [1] both from Norse
Location
Shuna Island Shuna shown within Argyll and Bute
OS grid reference	NM916490
Coordinates	56.59°N 5.395°W / 56.59; -5.395
Physical geography
Island group	Loch Linnhe
Area	155 ha (383 acres)
Area rank	121 [3]
Highest elevation	Tom an t-Seallaidh 71 m (233 ft)
Administration
Council area	Argyll and Bute
Country	Scotland
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Demographics
Population	0[4]
References	[5][6]

The farm on Shuna

Shuna is recorded in a late 16th-century document as belonging to John Stewart, the Laird of Appin.^[6] He may have built Castle Shuna, a small tower-house, which is now in ruins and lies at the south end.^[9] In the 18th century, Shuna Farmhouse replaced Castle Shuna as the residence on the island: it is a Category B listed traditional farmhouse dating from the 1740s.^[10] Opposite Castle Shuna, at the head of Loch Laich, is the island fortress of Castle Stalker, also historically a possession of the Stewarts of Appin.^[11]

The island forms part of the Lynn of Lorn National Scenic Area, one of 40 in Scotland.^[12]

In 2012 the island was placed on sale via agents Savills for £1.85 million.^[13]