Sc. [a. Gael. caol, gen. caoil ‘narrow strait or sound,’ sb. to caol narrow.] A narrow channel between two islands, or an island and the mainland (in the west of Scotland); a sound, a strait.
1549. D. Monro, in P. H. Brown, Scot. bef. 1700 (1893), 247. Ane right dangerous kyle or stream.
1703. Martin, West. Isl., 205. The Horses and Cows … swim to the Main Land [from Skye] over one of the Ferries or Sounds called Kyles.
1872. Blackie, Lays Highl., 61. Outmost Lewis, Haco, and Skye, with winding kyles.
1900. Mackenzie, Guide Inverness, 81. The narrow kyle between Rona and Raasay.
Mod. The steamer passes through the Kyles of Bute to the Crinan Canal.
