Finlaggan

The history of Islay dates back to the early settlements, 8000 AD. Stone circles, standing stones, chambered cairns, early signs of christianity, medieval settlements and houses, lost townships and clearances, harbours and 19th century villages form a variety of interests. There is even a Broch to be discovered.

The Lordships of the Isles met at Finlaggan, their inauguration took place there. A stone with a footprint on which the new King of the Hebrides stood made him the ruler of the western parts of Scotland. Annually at midsummer they met at the Council of the Isles in the Council House on Eilean na Comhairle to show their allegiance to the Lord of the Isles, „four nobles: MacLean of Duart, MacLean of Lochbuy, MacLeod of Harris, MacLeod of Lewis; four thanes MacKinnon, MacQuarrie of Ulv?, MacNeill of Giga and MacNeill of Barra, four leaders of Clan Donald: MacDonald of Kintyre...MacIan of Ardnamurchan, Clanranald and MacDonald of Keppoch; and the Bishop of the Isles and the Abbot of Iona.“  See David Calwell, pp.50. It was some sort of Parliament which ruled the system of administration of the Lordship of the Isles.

There is a visitor centre at Finlaggan, the Centre of the Lordships of the Isles, with historic displays.

For excellent information see: www.finlaggan.com and

David H. Caldwell. Islay the Land of the Lordship. Edinburgh 2008

David Caldwell: http://repository.nms.ac.uk/214/2/Finlaggan_report_1_-_introduction_and_background.pdf

Andrew Jefford. Smoke and Spirit. A Portrait of Islay and its Whiskies. London, 2004.

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