Known as "The Cradle of Clan Donald" and "The Ancient Seat of the Lords of the Isles", it seems improbable that Finlaggan, now a collection of ruins on three islets located on a secluded inland loch in the southern Hebrides, was once the centre of the MacDonald Lords of the Isles' medieval Gaelic heartland. Yet, at its height, this vast kingdom controlled much of mainland Argyll and the Glens of Antrim, stretching north towards the Great Glen to Ross-shire, beyond to Buchan and the Mearns, and south to Greenan in Ayrshire, and even vied with the Scottish Crown for supremacy.

Such a challenge could not be ignored, however, and following decades of open and covert rebellion, territorial disputes and pitched battles, the Lordship was finally forfeited in 1493, its territories seized and placed under the rule of King James IV, and the last of the line, John II, sent into enforced exile as a prisoner of the king. With the waning of MacDonald power and influence Finlaggan was largely abandoned and its rich history forgotten by all but the most ardent of historians.

However, in 1984 a group of enterprising locals founded the Finlaggan Trust in order to maintain and promote Finlaggan and the legacy of the Lordship, to permit pedestrian access to the historic site via a newly constructed 107m wooden walkway, and to convert a nearby cottage into a valuable information centre. Yet whilst Finlaggan and the centre have been subject to extensive maintenance over the years, it is clear that the walkway (now fourteen years old) shows significant damage from the harsh elements and visitor footfall and is no longer serviceable. The Trust, therefore, now seeks financial assistance to build a new longer-lasting structure, without which the site would be inaccessible.

We have already secured partial funding from other sources and are able to contribute a certain amount ourselves, but there remains a £30,000 shortfall in the £86,000 total nonetheless. If successful in our fundraising we hope to commence work in September 2021, with a five- to seven-week timescale for completion of the project, Covid-19 restrictions and weather conditions permitting.

Please help us with this vital maintenance project. The Lordship of the Isles needs you/ Tha feum aig Rioghachd nan Eilean ortsa. With a new walkway the site would remain accessible and open to the public, allowing the Trust to continue to safeguard and promote this beautiful and precious asset for the enjoyment of present and future generations.

Ri Guaillibh A Chéile

Donnchadh Mac Ille Ruaidh (1849-1912), Clachan, Cinn Tìre

Ri Guaillibh A Chéile

Duncan Reid (1849-1912), Clachan, Kintyre