Tag: my hebridean summer

  • Finlaggan

    Visiting Finlaggan, the center of the Lordship of the Isles.

    Welcome to Finlaggan, the centre of the Lordship of the Isles.

    A few miles to the south-west of Port Askaig on the island of Islay lies Loch Finlaggan, a place of great importance in Scottish history. In the loch are three islands, two of which lie close to the north shore. These are Eilean Mòr (the Large Island) and Eilean na Comhairle (the Council Island), which contain fragmentary remains of buildings. Here the inauguration of the MacDonald Lords of the Isles took place. (Finlaggan.org)

    Visiting Finlaggan, the center of the Lordship of the Isles.

    Clan Donald chose Finlaggan as their home and centre of their Lordship. The Lord of the Isles ruled mainland Argyll and the Glens of Antrim. But at its height, MacDonald territory stretched up the Great Glen to Ross-shire, beyond to Buchan and the Mearns, and south to Greenan in Ayrshire. The Lord of the Isles was one of the most powerful men in the country.

    Visiting Finlaggan, the center of the Lordship of the Isles.

    And they lived on this small island in Islay.

    Visiting Finlaggan, the center of the Lordship of the Isles.

    The visitor centre was closed due to the Islay Show, but I was able to visit the island via the bridge and walkway.

    Visiting Finlaggan, the center of the Lordship of the Isles.

    These islands in Loch Finlaggan were the administrative centre of the Lordship of the Isles from the 12th to 15th centuries, until 1493 when the Lordship of the Isles fell to James IV of Scotland.

    Visiting Finlaggan, the center of the Lordship of the Isles.

    From Finlaggan, the Lords of the Isles ruled the Western part of Scotland from Kintyre to Lewis. They gained control from their Norse overlords, adopted their maritime skills and improved on them. And from Finlaggan they met the kings from Scotland, England and France on equal terms. (Islay.scot)

    Visiting Finlaggan, the center of the Lordship of the Isles.

    Visiting Finlaggan, the center of the Lordship of the Isles.

    Visiting Finlaggan, the center of the Lordship of the Isles.

    Visiting Finlaggan, the center of the Lordship of the Isles.

    And with this visit to Finlaggan, we are at the end of my Hebridean summer 2022. From the Outer Hebrides, Burra, Eriskay, South Uist, North Uist and Lewis & Harris to the Inner Hebrides, Mull, Staffa, Tiree and finally Islay.

  • Jura View

    The hills of Jura seen from the Isle of Islay

    I didn´t manage to visit the Isle of Jura during my stay in Islay, but at least I enjoyed the views. On this day there was the Islay show and I probably was one of very few people not being there. Instead of visiting the show I went to the northwest side of Islay, visited two distilleries and enjoyed the views of Jura.

    The hills of Jura seen from the Isle of Islay

    Jura View 1

    Jura View 2

    Bunnahabhain Distillery is my starting point for a little walk around the coastline.

    Distillery in the Isle of Islay

    The hills of Jura seen from the Isle of Islay

    Ardnahoe distillery in the Isle of islay.

    And distillery number 2, Ardnahoe distillery.

    The hills of Jura seen from the Isle of Islay

    The hills of Jura seen from the Isle of Islay

    The hills of Jura seen from the Isle of Islay

    The hills of Jura seen from the Isle of Islay

  • Port Charlotte

    A walk through Port Charlotte in the Isle of Islay, Inner Hebrides

    A little walk through Port Charlotte – it was such a warm and sunny day, the beach was pretty busy.

    A walk through Port Charlotte in the Isle of Islay, Inner Hebrides

    A walk through Port Charlotte in the Isle of Islay, Inner Hebrides

    Port Charlotte was founded in 1828.

    Port Charlotte was named after Lady Charlotte Campbell Bury, the mother of its founder Walter Frederick Campbell; and it was set up mainly to provide housing facilities for the Lochindaal Distillery work force. (wikipedia)

    A walk through Port Charlotte in the Isle of Islay, Inner Hebrides

    Parts of the former distillery are now used as a hostel and a wildlife centre.

    A walk through Port Charlotte in the Isle of Islay, Inner Hebrides

    A walk through Port Charlotte in the Isle of Islay, Inner Hebrides

    A walk through Port Charlotte in the Isle of Islay, Inner Hebrides

    A walk through Port Charlotte in the Isle of Islay, Inner Hebrides

    A beautiful moon on that night.

    Full Moon over the Isle of Islay, Inner Hebrides