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Holy Island

Population - 800

Length - 11 miles

The island was bought by a group of Scottish Buddhists in 1991 with the understanding that the flora and fauna would be protected, and the island has been a place of peaceful retreat ever since.

The religious activity is appropriate as the island was the home in the 7th Century to St Lo Mas. The Saints cave can still be visited which is well furnished with stone table and chairs and served by a fresh stream. Legend has it that St Lo Mas lived till 120, and this, despite deliberately contracting thirty diseases to atone for his sins.

The buddhist community have proved successful in reforestation with upwards of 14% of the island now planted with indigenous trees.

In 1548 it's said that the ship carrying Mary Queen of Scots - then a small child - sheltered here on its way to France.

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