- Torsa
Infobox Scottish island |
latitude=56.26
longitude=-5.62
GridReference=NM762130
celtic name=Torsa
norse name=Torsey/Þorirsey
meaning of name="Thorir's island" (Norse via Gaelic)
area=113 ha
area rank= 142
highest elevation= 62 m
Population=0
population rank=
main settlement=
island group=Slate Islands
local authority=Argyll and Bute
references= [2001 UK Census perList of islands of Scotland ] cite book| author=Haswell-Smith, Hamish| date=2004| title=The Scottish Islands| location=Edinburgh| publisher=Canongate| isbn=1-84195-454-3] [ [http://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/ Ordnance Survey] ] [cite web| url=http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/vli/language/gaelic/pdfs/placenamesP-Z.pdf| title=Placenames| author=Iain Mac an Tailleir| publisher=Pàrlamaid na h-Alba| accessdate=2007-07-28]Torsa (occasionally Torsay) is one of the
Slate Islands inArgyll and Bute ,Scotland . Lying east ofLuing and south ofSeil , the island was inhabited until the 1960s. There is now only one house on the island, which is used for holiday lets. [cite web| url=http://www.torsa-island.co.uk| title=Torsa Island Website & Gallery| accessdate=2007-07-28] Its main industry is farming, withcattle brought over from the neighbouring island ofLuing . TheLuing cattle were bred for their hardiness.The island is connected to its smaller partner, Torsa Beag (Gaelic for little Torsa). In the bay beyond is a suspected
crannog .The island is best known for the ruined
sixteenth century hunting lodge Caisteal nan Con . This is known locally as the Castle of the Dogs. It is doubtful that the castle would have originally been built as a hunting lodge, as it is in a very fine defensive position built upon a sheer rocky outcrop overlooking the sea on three sides. However, over time this may have become the final use of the building before falling into disrepair.Footnotes
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.