ILA, or ISLA, one of the western isles of Scotland, lying to the west of Jura, from which it is separated by a narrow channel. It extends 24 miles in length from north to south, and is 18 in breadth from east to west. On the east side, it is full of mountains covered with heath; to the southward, the land is tolerably well cultivated. In some parts the inhabitants have found great plenty of limestone, and lead-mines are worked in three different places. The only harbour in Isla is at Lochdale, near the north end of the island. Here are several rivers and lakes well stored with trout, eels, and salmon. In the centre is Loch Finlagan, about three miles in circuit, with the little isle of that name in the middle. Here the great Macdonald, lord of the isles, once resided in all the pomp of royalty; but his palaces and offices are now in ruins. Here he held his supreme court of judicature, consisting of fourteen judges, to which there was an appeal from all the lesser tribunals. Instead of a throne, Macdonald stood on a stone seven feet square, in which there was an impression made to receive his feet; here he was crowned and anointed by the bishop of Argyle and seven inferior priests, in presence of the chieftains, to whom he took a solemn oath, importing, that he would maintain their rights and possessions, and do justice to all his vassals. There are several forts built on the isles in fresh-water lakes, and divers caverns in different parts of the island, which have been used occasionally as places of strength. The air of Isla is not so salubrious as that of Jura, because it is more low and marshy; nevertheless, the people enjoy a good share of health: they are all Protestants, and have a variety of churches and chapels. The property of the island is at present vested in Campbell of Shawfield. On the coast of Isla are several small isles, such as Texa, Owersa, and Nave; nay, the natives
pretend that there is an island four miles in length about 30 leagues to the south-west of Isla. They say, it was discovered by the master of an English ship, who found it a low flat, covered with long grass, and watered by a river, on the east side of which he saw great heaps of fish bones. A great number of seals lay basking on the rocks, and the cliffs were covered with sea-fowl. Finding many planks and boards which the sea had cast on the shore, he ordered his men to raise a pile about two stories, as a land-mark for mariners. After his departure, the inhabitants of Collonfay, in fair weather, discerned from the top of an eminence an object which they supposed to be land; which, however, vanished, by next winter, when in all probability the pile was blown down by a storm.