The passage is deep and large vessels such as the Caledonian MacBrayne ferry MV Isle of Mull make regular use of this strait.

Another story involves a young girl accused of a crime who was tied up on the shore there in order to persuade her make an admission.

A more romantic tale concerns Muireadhach (Murdoch), a Celtic warrior who was in love with Mhairi, the daughter of a local man.

[1] On 23 December 1940, during World War II a convoy of ships gathered off the island of Lismore were attacked when two Heinkel He 111 bombers.

Debris from the wreck was carried by the tide towards Oban Bay and four days later a Sunderland Flying Boat of 210 Squadron hit a horsebox floating in the water whilst attempting a routine landing in the dark.