Episcopal Diocese Of Argyll And The Isles

The United Diocese of Argyll & The Isles covers the mainland of Argyll and stretches from the northern tip of Lewis to the Mull of Kintyre encompassing the Hebrides, Skye, Mull and Iona and including Bute, Arran and Cumbrae.We are a Diocese embracing a rich and varied culture in our past and our present. Our stories begin with Celtic saints and a history narrated in the language of the Gaels, still strong in areas of our Diocese.Our geographical area is made up of ancient settlements and new townships; we encompass mountains and hills, lochs, rivers and seas, moorland and machair, crofts, land and sea farms, centres of culture and a diversity of trade and occupations.Our landscape of land and sea  influences our population numbers and means that we are the largest Diocese geographically but the smallest numerically.  Our people are as varied as our landscape – with local families whose ancestors are intrinsically linked to the land and sea, together with those who have chosen to settle here for work, retirement or as holiday home visitors. Our travel is often along single track roads or on ferries at the mercy of the weather, but our journeys take us through some of the most beautiful landscapes. These, together with the HIAL (Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd) and Hebridean Air Service and West Highland train line, connect us to our Islands and beyond to the cities and towns of the rest of Scotland. We are at the historic heart of the Highlands and our everyday life – whether in new occupations or tending ancient family lands, is dictated by eachdraidh, dualchas and dùthchas – the history and heritage, language and culture, traditions and landscape, which shape who we are just as surely and deeply as the history and experiences, traditions and liturgy of our Episcopal church.