Editing Islands of the Clyde (section)

=== Modern Scotland ===
[[File:J M Briscoe - Clyde puffer VIC32 moored at Corpach.jpg|thumb|Steam Lighter VIC32, the last seagoing coal fired steam ''[[Clyde Puffer]]'']]

Politically, from the conclusion of the [[Treaty of Perth]] in 1266 to the present day, all of the islands of the Clyde have been part of Scotland.

Ecclesiastically, beginning in the early medieval period all of these isles were part of the [[Bishop of Sodor and Man|Diocese of Sodor and Man]], based at [[Peel, Isle of Man|Peel]], on the [[Isle of Man]]. After 1387, the seat of the [[Diocese of the Isles|Bishopric of the Isles]] was relocated to the north, first to [[Snizort]] on [[Skye]] and then to [[Iona]].<ref>Bridgland, Nick "The Medieval Church in Argyll" in Omand (2006) pp. 86–87</ref> This arrangement continued until the [[Scottish Reformation]] in the 16th century, when Scotland broke with the Catholic Church.

The mid-1700s marked the beginning of a century of significant change. New forms of transport, industry, and agriculture brought an end to ways of life that had endured for centuries. The [[Battle of Culloden]] in 1746 foreshadowed the end of the [[Scottish clan|clan]] system. These changes improved living standards for some, but came at a cost for others.<ref>Duncan, P. J. "The Industries of Argyll: Tradition and Improvement" in Omand (2006) pp. 151, 156</ref>

In the late 18th and early 19th centuries, [[Alexander Douglas-Hamilton, 10th Duke of Hamilton|Alexander, the 10th Duke of Hamilton]] (1767–1852), and others implemented a controversial agricultural-reform programme called the [[Highland Clearances]] that had a devastating effect on many of Arran's inhabitants. Whole villages were emptied, and the Gaelic culture of the island was dealt a terminal blow. (A memorial to the tenant farmers evicted from the island by this programme was later erected on the shore at [[Lamlash]], funded by a Canadian descendant of some of those evicted.)<ref>Haswell-Smith (2004) p. 12</ref><ref>Mackillop, Dugald [http://www.electricscotland.com/history/clearances/37.htm "The History of the Highland Clearances: Buteshire – Arran"] electricscotland.com. Retrieved 18 July 2009.</ref><ref>[http://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/WM3FAD "Lagantuine – Isle of Arran, Ayrshire UK"] waymarking.com. Retrieved 18 July 2009.</ref><ref>[http://www.ayrshireroots.com/Towns/Arran/Lamlash/Lamlash.htm "Lamlash"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110930094637/http://www.ayrshireroots.com/Towns/Arran/Lamlash/Lamlash.htm |date=30 September 2011 }} Ayrshireroots.com. Retrieved 20 January 2011.</ref>

From the 1850s to the late 20th century, cargo ships known as “[[Clyde Puffer]]s” (made famous by an early-20th-century story collection called the ''[[Vital Spark]]''), were the workhorses of the islands, carrying a great deal of produce and a great variety of products to and from the islands. In May 1889, the [[Caledonian Steam Packet Company]] (CSP) was founded and began operating steamer services to and from Gourock for the [[Caledonian Railway]]. The company soon expanded by taking over rival steamer operators.<ref name="scran">{{cite web| url=http://www.scran.ac.uk/database/record.php?usi=000-000-592-411-C| title=Caledonian Steam Packet Company| publisher=Scran – part of the [[Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland]]| access-date=30 January 2011}}</ref> [[David MacBrayne]] operated the Glasgow-to-[[Ardrishaig]] steamer service, as part of the so-called "Royal Route" to Oban.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://paddlesteamers.awardspace.com/Columba.htm| title=PS Columba| publisher=Paddle Steamer Resources by Tramscape| access-date=30 January 2011| url-status=dead| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110707212225/http://paddlesteamers.awardspace.com/Columba.htm| archive-date=7 July 2011| df=dmy-all}}</ref> During the 20th century, many of the islands were developed as tourist resorts along the lines of mainland resorts such as [[Largs]] and [[Troon]], but catering for Glaswegians who preferred to holiday "Doon the Watter".<ref>Keay (1994) p. 236</ref><ref>[http://www.inveraraypier.com/puffer.html "The Puffer"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120722063748/http://www.inveraraypier.com/puffer.html |date=22 July 2012 }}. Inveraray Maritime Heritage Museum. Retrieved 4 September 2010.</ref>
In 1973, CSP and MacBraynes combined their Clyde and West Highland operations under the new name of [[Caledonian MacBrayne]].<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.whsc.connectfree.co.uk/CalMac.html| title=History of Caledonian MacBrayne| publisher=West Highland Steamer Club| access-date=30 January 2011| url-status=dead| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100130145757/http://www.whsc.connectfree.co.uk/CalMac.html| archive-date=30 January 2010| df=dmy-all}}</ref> A [[government-owned corporation]], they serve Great Cumbrae, Arran, and Bute, and also run mainland-to-mainland ferries across the firth.<ref name=CMac1/><ref>[http://www.calmac.co.uk/timetables/calmac-summer-timetables.htm "Summer Timetables"]. [[Caledonian MacBrayne]]. Retrieved 5 February 2011.</ref> Private companies operate services from Arran to Holy Isle,<ref name=HI/> and from McInroy's Point (Gourock) to Hunter's Quay on the Cowal peninsula.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.western-ferries.co.uk/| title=Western Ferries| access-date=6 February 2001}}</ref>

Politically, from 1890 to 1975, most of the islands comprised the traditional [[County of Bute]], and its inhabitants were represented by the county council. Since the 1975 reorganization, however, the islands have been split more or less equally between two modern council authorities: [[Argyll and Bute]], and [[North Ayrshire]]. Only [[Ailsa Craig]] and [[Lady Isle]] in [[South Ayrshire]] are not part of either of these two [[Subdivisions of Scotland|council areas]].