ARGYLL and the ISLES, DIOCESE of. — In Scotland, a suffragan diocese of St. Andrew’s (St. Andrews) and Edinburgh. Created around the year 1200, separated from Dunkeld, it remained vacant in 1579, and was re-established on March 4, 1878. As for the see of the Isles, still attached to that of Argyll, founded it is believed around 447 by St. Patrick, it remained united to the see of Man until the end of the 14th century. Remaining vacant in 1553, it was re-established and united to the see of Argyll by Leo XIII on March 4, 1878. Statistics for 1948: 12,000 inhabitants, almost all Catholic; 24 parishes and 34 diocesan priests. Present extent: the county of Argyll, part of Inverness, and the islands of Bute, Arran, and the Hebrides.
The episcopal residence is at Oban, in Argyllshire, where the pro-cathedral dedicated to St. Columba is located.