Loch Ruel

Hole Riddon, also hole Ruel, is an estuary in the Scottish unitary authority Argyll and Bute. Together with hole Striven he is one of the two hole, the cut coming from the south in the Cowal Peninsula.

Geography

Loch Striven is a bay side of the strait Kyles of Bute, which separates the island of Bute Cowal. The entrance to the hole is located near the island of Eilean Dubh and marks the northernmost points of the Kyles of Bute. From there Riddon hole extends over a length of six kilometers to the north. In this case, it has a maximum width of 1.3 km. It runs through the sparsely populated landscapes Cowals, so that no large towns, but only a few small settlements are located on its banks. In its course hole Riddon takes on numerous small streams from the surrounding hills. In the north of Reul opens a.

Colonization

Although the environment of Loch Riddon is sparsely populated today, there are different documents for a settlement in ancient times. So were discovered on the slopes around the hole over thirty stone platforms with diameters between six and nine meters, which formed the foundations of former homes. On the basis of C -14 dating a use around the year could be detected 835 ± 60 years. Near the southern end of Loch Riddon are preserved foundations that are likely to include an early chapel of unknown age. On the only notable island in Loch Riddon, the approximately 100 -meter diameter Eilean Dearg, the foundations of an ancient castle are preserved. This was destroyed in riots in 1685. In the course of an archaeological investigation of the area shards and items have been found, suggesting a use since the 14th century. However, is far older objects were discovered in this context. These include a Bronze Age flint tool and possibly the remains of a fort at this place.