GARVELLOCH, or Holy-Islands, a cluster of
small islands, in the parish of Jura and Colonsay, district
of Islay, county of Argyll. These islands, which
are situated in the Atlantic, to the west of Balnahuaigh,
obtained their second name from having been the residence
of the monks of lona previously to the foundation
of that monastery; and there are still some remains of
a chapel and cemetery, and of the ancient conventual
buildings. The isles are the property of Colin Campbell,
Esq., of Jura, to whom they pay a rental of £150 per
annum, derived chiefly from their excellent pasture for
sheep and black-cattle. Here is also a marble-quarry,
which appears to have been wrought at a very early
period, and some of the produce of which is to be seen
in the castle of Inverary.