In 1882-4, Frances Groome's Ordnance Gazetteer of Scotland described Eil like this:
Eil, a sea-loch, partly in Argyllshire, partly on the mutual border of Argyll and Inverness shires, and consisting of two distinct portions - Upper and Lower Loch Eil. Upper Loch Eil, commencing 4 miles E by S of the head of Loch Shiel, extends thence 6 3/8 miles east-by-southward, with a varying breadth of 4 and 7 1/3 furlongs. ...
Then come the Narrows, 2 miles long, and 1 furlong wide at the narrowest; and then from Corpach, at the entrance to the Caledonian Canal, in the neighbourhood of Fort William, Lower Loch Eil strikes 9 5/8 miles south-westward, with varying width of 5 furlongs and 1 7/8 mile, to Corran Narrows, where it merges with Loch Linnhe, of which it is often treated as a part. It receives, near Fort William, the Lochy and the Nevis, and is overhung here by the mighty mass of Ben Nevis (4406 feet).—Ord. Sur., shs. 62, 53, 1875-77.
Eil through time
Eil is now part of Highland district. Click here for graphs and data of how Highland has changed over two centuries. For statistics about Eil itself, go to Units and Statistics.
GB Historical GIS / University of Portsmouth, History of Eil, in Highland and Scotland | Map and description, A Vision of Britain through Time.
URL: https://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/place/26863
Date accessed: 18th April 2024
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