Inchlonaig

There are thought to be as many as 800/900 mature yews on this island. These are thought to come from two separate planting periods, in the 14th and 17th centuries. The Ancient Tree Inventory holds records of many of these individual trees. The map shows the location of the most significant specimens.
Loudon 1837: A tree there was in 1770 with a girth of 10′ 7”. Another, at 13′ the largest on the island. 300 yew trees cut down.
Gardeners Chronicle 1874 May 30: 300 yew trees furnished for the axe about 30 yrs ago (ie 1844), a number of fine trees remain there. There are also stories as follows: (1) of yew trees planted in the 14th century for the archers of Robert the Bruce who used them against the English at Bannockburn. (2) that locals kept visitors away from the island with stories of bewitchment, refusing to take people across for fear of enchantment by the fairies. In fact the yew trees provided a permanent all year round cover for the local whiskey stills hidden under yews which the locals did not want discovered. (3) that the whole area was deforested in the industrial revolution to provide charcoal for the Clydebank. It is possible to get out to the island via ferry from the east shore and it seems that most of the yews are on the east side of the island. A few big yews can be seen from the west shores of the Loch.