A Brief History of Islay

Ruins of a church near Ardmore on the island of Islay Scotland
29th May 2019

Islay Prehistory

The history of Islay goes back to when hunter-gatherers settled here many thousands of years ago. With the discovery of Mesolithic and Ice Age artefacts in the area, researchers have come to the conclusion that Islay was occupied from around 10,000 BC.

You can see many of these ancient tools and other items at the Islay Museum in Port Charlotte. And you can visit many prehistoric sites on the island, including ceremonial standing stones, burial cairns and forts.

Ancient Standing Stone on Islay Scotland
Artefacts of Neolithic era on the Port Charlotte Museum on Islay
A Celtic cross on Islay with a starry sky behind it
Artefacts from the Bronze Age at the Port Charlotte Museum on Islay

Medieval Islay

During medieval times, ordinary people on the island were farmers, who bred livestock and produced oats and barley in the rich and fertile land.

From the 6th century, Islay was ruled by a Gaelic overkingdom named Dál Riata. Then in the 9th century, Norse Vikings took control. By the 12th century, Scotland started to reclaim its islands. Helped by a warrior named Somerled, who seized them in 1156 and founded a dynasty that became the ‘Lords of the Isles’. Islay was under full Scottish rule by 1493.

Eilean Mor Loch Finlaggan, with bridge over the water
Engraving from Finlaggan medeival site Islay Scotland
Eilean Mor Loch Finlaggan, seat of the Lord of the Isles
Standing stone near Loch Finlaggan, centre of the Lordship of the Isles

Islay changed dramatically throughout the medieval period, as different cultures and influences shaped its landscape. There are several Medieval ruins that remain on the island, including Kilchoman Church and Finlaggan, the powerbase of the Lords of the Isles.

British Era and World Wars

Islay was under Scottish rule until 1707, when the Scottish and English thrones merged to create the Kingdom of Great Britain. The Scottish and the British fought many battles over the leadership of Scotland. Then later in the 20th century, both countries joined forces to defeat their shared enemies in World Wars One and Two.

Artefacts and photo's from the sinking of the Tuscania in WW1
The war graves at Kilchoman from the Otranto shipwreck
The bell from the Tuscania shipwreck
The Tuscania flag made by the Islay residents after the Tuscania sank of the coast of Islay in WW1
A wooden cabinet from the war at Islay Museum
Artefacts from the Tuscania shipwreck

You can visit more historic sites on Islay from this period. And view many items from Islay’s history, including artefacts from the two world wars, at Islay Museum.

Discovering Islay’s History Today

For a relatively small island, Islay is full of history and culture. Why not come and visit one of our cottages for a taste of Islay life? And truly take in the ambience of an island with many tales to tell.

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