>From blog.islay.com The Isle of Texa is located just off the south east coast of Islay and a few miles from Port Ellen. The island is visible from Islay as well as from the Islay ferry just before you enter Port Ellen harbour. The island, 48 ha/119 acres in size and reaches a height of 157 feet (48 metres) at its highest point, Ceann Garbh (picture), is uninhabited except for some wild goats, otters and (sea)birds. Surprisingly enough the island wasn't always uninhabited. People did live here and in fact Texa was an ecclesiastical settlement and a chapel was built here centuries ago. The same was the case with Nave island on the other side of Islay to the north. In 1625 there was a population of 26 people on Texa and by the late 18th century there were only 8 residents left on Texa. Later in the 19th century the island became uninhabited. There is no regular access to the island, perhaps on arrangement at Port Ellen. The island of Texa was mentioned by Fordun in his chronicles, Book II., Chap. X., as 'Helant Texa with a monastic cell' and even earlier the island appears in Adamnan's Life of St. Columba. "Cainnech, or Kenneth, embarked for Scotia (Ireland) from Iona, and forgot to take his staff with him. After his departure the staff was found on the shore, and given into the hands of St. Columba, who, on his return home, brought it to the oratory, and remained there for a very long time alone in prayer. Cainnech, meanwhile, on approaching the Oidechan island (Oidech, near Islay, probably Texa) suddenly felt pricked at heart at the thought of his forgetfulness, and was deeply afflicted at it. But after some time, leaving the vessel, and falling upon his knees in prayer on the ground, he found before him on the turf of the little island of Texa the staff which, in his forgetfulness, he had left behind him at the landing place in Iona". Bill McLean -----Original Message----- From: sct-argyll-bounces@rootsweb.com [mailto:sct-argyll-bounces@rootsweb.com] On Behalf Of sct-argyll-request@rootsweb.com Sent: Saturday, October 04, 2008 3:02 AM To: sct-argyll@rootsweb.com Subject: SCT-ARGYLL Digest, Vol 3, Issue 139 Today's Topics: 1. Logans (Bill Taylor) 2. Re: Logans (Jill) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Message: 1 Date: Fri, 3 Oct 2008 18:51:20 +0100 From: " ***********************