Loch Finlaggan

Loch Finlaggan and Eilean Mòr

Loch Finlaggan is a freshwater loch on the Isle of Islay, one of the largest of the islands of the Inner Hebrides, in Argyllshire. The hamlet of Ballygrant is less than a mile from the south end of the loch.

Within the Loch, towards its northern end, is an island named Eilean Mòr, on which stand the remains of Finlaggan Castle. At the southern end of the loch are the remains of a crannog.

From the days of Somerled, Finlaggan was the seat of the Lords of the Isles, and of the Clan Donald, who descend from Somerled. Another island in the loch is Eilean na Comhairle, meaning "Isle of the Council", and these little islands were the administrative centre of the Lordship of the Isles during the 13th to 15th centuries, until 1493 when the lordship of the Isles fell to King James IV, who thenceforth administered the territory through the medium of a tenant-in-chief.

History and archaeology

Eilean Mòr and Eilean na Comhairle

In the first half of the 7th century, a monastic community was established on Eilean Mòr, the larger of the islands in the loch. This was either dedicated to or possibly founded by St Findlugan, an Irish monk and a contemporary of St Columba.

Later the same island because the stronghold of the Lords of the Isles, who built Finlaggan Castle here. The castle now stands in ruin.

The Finlaggan Trust maintains on Eilean Mòr and also refurbished a derelict cottage that has been converted into a comprehensive museum. The centre contains numerous artefacts discovered during archaeological excavations: from a sheep wool quilted aketon, worn under armour, to an ancient cross related to the lords.

The site has been the subject of recent archaeological investigations and hosted an episode of Channel 4's archaeological television programme Time Team in 1995. During summer 2008 the centre was extensively refurbished and extended. The stone walls of a medieval chapel dedicated to St Findlugan on Eilean Mòr have been stabilised and several 16th century graves put on display and covered by large glass panels.

In May 2019, researchers at the University of St Andrews, working with the Finlaggan Trust and the National Museum of Scotland, announced the creation of a virtual-reality reconstruction of the settlement in the early 15th century, based on archaeological data. The reconstruction will be on show at the visitor centre.

Finlaggan Castle

Ancient graves in the ruins of Kilfinlaggan Chapel next to the site of Finlaggan Castle

Main article: Finlaggan Castle

Finlaggan Castle, also known as Eilean Mòr Castle is a ruined fortified house which stood on Eilean Mór, to serve as the a residence and stronghold of Lord of the Isles.

Location

• Location map: 55°49’55"N, 6°10’26"W
• Streetmap: NR387677

References

• 'A view from Finlaggan Loch': Scotland on TV