Island Davaar
Island Davaar[4] or Davaar Island (Scottish Gaelic: Eilean Dà Bhàrr) is located at the mouth of Campbeltown Loch off the east coast of Kintyre, in Argyll and Bute, Scotland. It is a tidal island, linked to the mainland by a natural shingle causeway called the Doìrlinn near Campbeltown at low tide. The crossing can be made in around 40 minutes.
| Scottish Gaelic name | Eilean Dà Bhàrr |
|---|---|
| Meaning of name | "Saint Barre's island" |
 Davaar Island and Lighthouse | |
| Location | |
  Island Davaar Island Davaar shown within Argyll and Bute | |
| OS grid reference | NR760200 |
| Coordinates | 55.42°N 5.54°W |
| Physical geography | |
| Island group | Firth of Clyde |
| Area | 52 ha |
| Area rank | 198 [1] |
| Highest elevation | 115 m |
| Administration | |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Country | Scotland |
| Council area | Argyll and Bute |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 0 |
 | |
| References | [2][3] |
History
Davaar was known as the island of Sanct Barre between the years 1449 to 1508. The modern form Davaar is from older Do Bharre – thy St Barre. Dr Gillies in his "Place Names of Argyll" appears to accept the popular derivation, Double-pointed (Da-Bharr) Island.
In 1854, Davaar Lighthouse was built on the north of the island by the lighthouse engineers David and Thomas Stevenson. The lighthouse was automated in 1983, and today, Davaar is inhabited by the caretakers of the Island who run the holiday cottages and oversee the farming activities including Rare breed sheep, and Highland Cattle. The island is also home to feral goats.
The Lookout, a square building standing on a small knoll close to the lighthouse, was built during World War II as one of the Royal Observer Corps' (ROC)'s four Kintyre observation posts. While the men and women of the ROC watched for enemy activity around the loch, the anti-submarine net (positioned between Davaar and Trench Point) was maintained by the wrens, officers, and ratings stationed in the Boom Defence Depot on the opposite shore. Davaar's observation post has been restored and tastefully converted into a unique place to stay.[5][6]
The island is also known for its seven caves, one of which contains a life size cave painting depicting the crucifixion, painted in 1887 by local artist Archibald MacKinnon after he had a vision in a dream suggesting him to do so. The painting caused uproar in the area as it was seen as a sign from God; it is said that when the townsfolk discovered it was MacKinnon, and not God, he was exiled from the town indefinitely. Restored several times since, including twice by the original artist, the painting was vandalised in July 2006, having a red and black depiction of Che Guevara painted over the original masterpiece. It has since been restored again.[7]
Davaar Island is one of 43 tidal islands that can be walked to from the mainland of Great Britain and one of 17 that can be walked to from the Scottish mainland.[6]
Davaar Island is owned by Kildalloig Estate, and forms part of the farming enterprise.
Staying on Davaar Island
There are four holiday cottages and cabins available for visitors to stay on Davaar Island. The Lookout (WWII Observation Post) and The Principal Lighthouse Keeper's Cottage have been sympathetically converted into holiday cottages and in 2021 two glamping cabins were constructed on the east side of Davaar.[5]
Stamps
Local stamps were issued for Davaar in the 1964. The stamps served the many visitors to the island who wished to have their mail posted there, and carried by the boatman to the nearest GPO Post Box at Campbeltown on the mainland. The boatman service ended some time in the 2000. Postage Rates were double those of the UK.[8]
References
- Area and population ranks: there are c. 300 islands over 20 ha in extent and 93 permanently inhabited islands were listed in the 2011 census.
- "Ordnance Survey | See A Better Place". www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk. Retrieved 29 July 2020.
- Iain Mac an Tailleir. "Placenames" (PDF). Pàrlamaid na h-Alba. Archived from the original (PDF) on 17 March 2007. Retrieved 23 July 2007.
- "Island Davaar". Ordnance Survey. Retrieved 7 February 2019.
- "Davaar Island". 26 April 2011. Archived from the original on 26 April 2011. Retrieved 29 July 2020.
- Peter Caton (2011) No Boat Required - Exploring Tidal Islands. Matador.
- "Che vandal attacks Christ image". BBC News. 1 August 2006. Retrieved 11 December 2007.
- "Modern British Local Posts CD Catalogue, 2009 Edition". Phillips. Archived from the original on 5 September 2008. Retrieved 8 December 2008.
External links
Media related to Island Davaar at Wikimedia Commons- Northern Lighthouse Board