Inch Kenneth House

Inch Kenneth is a small, privately owned island located off the west coast of the Isle of Mull, at the entrance to Loch na Keal. Named after Saint Kenneth, a contemporary of St Columba who is believed to have founded a monastery there, the island holds significant historical and natural importance. Despite its modest size, approximately one mile long, Inch Kenneth is remarkably fertile, composed of sedimentary conglomerates and limestones that contrast sharply with Mull’s predominant volcanic geology. This unique composition fosters lush, flower-rich grasslands and provides a crucial feeding ground for barnacle geese in autumn.

The island is famously home to the ruins of a 13th-century chapel, dedicated to St. Kenneth. Within its picturesque walls and surrounding graveyard lies a fascinating collection of medieval grave-slabs, dating from the 1300s to 1500s. These intricately carved stones, often depicting figures, animals, and Celtic knotwork, primarily commemorate members of the powerful MacLean clan, who historically owned much of the surrounding islands. Legend also suggests that several Scottish kings found their final resting place here if stormy seas prevented passage to Iona.

Dominating the landscape, alongside the chapel ruins, is Inch Kenneth House, a large mansion with a storied past. Originally built around the 1830s, the house underwent significant enlargement and adaptation in the 1930s by Sir Harold Boulton, known for writing the lyrics to “The Skye Boat Song.” It was during this period that the structure acquired elements described as part Highland castle, part country house, and part Art Deco mansion, as Boulton sought to modernize and upgrade the entire building.

Inch Kenneth House gained particular notoriety through its subsequent ownership by the eccentric Mitford family, who purchased the island in 1938. It became a secluded retreat for some of the sisters, notably Unity Mitford, a controversial figure known for her Nazi sympathies, who spent her final years on the island. Though the house remains under private ownership today, traces of its past occupants, including some furnishings, reportedly linger within, adding layers of intriguing history to this tranquil island sanctuary.