Speaker Fraser Booth - Scotland's Big Garden
Tue, Apr 25th 2017 at 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Club member Fraser Booth was the speaker at Kilrymont Rotary Club on Tuesday 25th April. The only clue to the subject of Fraser’s talk was the colour – green. The members were still mystified when Fraser revealed that his subject was “Scotland’s Big Garden” but no one could suggest where this might be. Big Garden is the literal translation of “Lios Mor” or Lismore, the island in Loch Linnhe, north east of Mull and south of the Great Glen. This island is an oasis of green in contrast to the mountains surrounding it. It is a peaceful haven served by two ferry services; one from Port Appin and the other from Oban. The 9.5 sq. mile island is a safe place for children and because there are so few cars, a great place for cycling.
The island has changed hands many times in its history from earliest times when it was an important centre of Celtic Christianity, then part of Dalriada, then Viking territory before returning to the Scots in the 11th century. Between 12th and 15th centuries it was the seat of the Bishopric of Argyll then the cathedral was destroyed by fire. However, in 18th century the remains of the cathedral were used as the foundations for the “new” parish church. Several castles and brochs provide evidence of battles and skirmishes.
The island is now owned by the Duke of Argyll and the local activities are fishing, farming and tourism. The population, which was 1399 in 1841 dropped to 140 in 1981, increasing slightly to 192 in 2011. Although there were ambitious plans to install piped water, it proved too costly, so the mains water supply is from boreholes. Currently there is no petrol station on the island but it does have internet.
Fraser then mentioned other places with the name Lismore e.g. in County Waterford, Ireland, Lismore Rugby Club in Edinburgh, The Lismore Pub in Partick.
It was clear from his talk that Fraser and his family love visiting Lismore, the Big Garden, and James Yule thanked him for his wonderful talk which illustrated that there are many lovely places close to home.
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