It was where powerful figures of an ancient ruling dynasty – from clan chiefs to bishops, abbots and lords – met to hold their medieval parliaments.
Now plans to open up an island on Finlaggan Loch on Islay – the powerbase of the Lordship of the Isles – for the first time in around 500 years have taken a major step forward after a surprise donation of £10,000 was made to the project.
A bridge over the water is set to connect Eilean na Comhairle (Council Isle), the scene of great medieval gatherings of decision makers, to Eilean Mor (Large Island), where Finlaggan Castle, a seat of Clan Donald, once stood.
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Video: Inside the medieval home of Scotland’s Lords of the Isles
Finlaggan Trust said it was now “well on its way” to opening up the historic site following the £10,000 donation from Clan Donald Lands Trust, which runs Armadale Castle on Skye.
Sir Ian Macdonald of Sleat, chair of trustees of Clan Donald Lands Trust, said: ‘We are delighted to support this extremely worthwhile appeal.
“Our two organisations have a shared interest in promoting the culture, traditions and heritage of the clan. Finlaggan is a vital part or the Clan Donald story which we celebrate in our museum, and this donation will strengthen our existing working relationships. We are looking forward to watching the project develop and encourage others with an interest in clan heritage to support the appeal.’
Finlaggan was the seat of the Lord of the Isles and Clan Donald between the 12th and 15th Centuries.
The Lordship ruled broadly independently of the Crown and, at its peak, controlled land from the Glens of Antrim, across the Western Isles and up to Buchan in the North East.
The rulers of the Lordship took on a kingly quality and were sworn in at Finlaggan.
Accounts detail a 15th Century inauguration ceremony of John of Islay, 4th Lord of the Isles, who stood on a stone embedded with a
footprint, clad in a white robe and holding a white rod and sword.
Meetings were usually held on Council Isle to coincide with such occasions, which drew people from all over the kingdom and were a good opportunity for business, trade, games and sports.
Gatherings of the Council of the Isles met in the Council House on the island, which measures around 4.8 metres by 7.5metres.
Four Clan Donald chieftains made up part of the council along with, four nobles, four thanes and the Bishop of the Isles and the Abbot of Iona, according to accounts.
The new bridge would replace an earlier structure, built between the 12th and 14th Century, which remains submerged under the loch.
The Finlaggan Trust was established in 1984 to protect and promote the historic site.
Richard Russell, chair of the Finlaggan Trust, said: ‘We would like to thank the trustees of Clan Donald Lands Trust for this generous donation. We have had a long association with the trust who also supported the National Museums of Scotland’s excavations at the site between 1990 and 1997 and were instrumental in publicising Finlaggan initially. As the cradle and spiritual home respectively, our two organisations complement each other perfectly.’
The Finlaggan Trust continues to raise funds through a JustGiving campaign, which allows anyone to contribute online. Alternatively, contributions can be made by contacting the Trust directly at finlaggan@outlook.com.
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