History Hebrides

1 history

1.1 prehistory
1.2 celtic era
1.3 norwegian control
1.4 scottish control
1.5 british era

history

prehistory

callanish stone circle

the hebrides settled during mesolithic era around 6500 bc or earlier, after climatic conditions improved enough sustain human settlement. occupation @ site on rùm dated 8590 ±95 uncorrected radiocarbon years bp, amongst oldest evidence of occupation in scotland. there many examples of structures neolithic period, finest example being standing stones @ callanish, dating 3rd millennium bc. cladh hallan, bronze age settlement on south uist site in uk prehistoric mummies have been found.

celtic era

in 55 bc, greek historian diodorus siculus wrote there island called hyperborea (which means beyond north wind ), round temple stood moon appeared little distance above earth every 19 years. may have been reference stone circle @ callanish.

a traveller called demetrius of tarsus related plutarch tale of expedition west coast of scotland in or shortly before ad 83. stated gloomy journey amongst uninhabited islands, had visited 1 retreat of holy men. mentioned neither druids nor name of island.

the first written records of native life begin in 6th century ad, when founding of kingdom of dál riata took place. encompassed argyll , bute , lochaber in scotland , county antrim in ireland. figure of columba looms large in history of dál riata, , founding of monastery on iona ensured kingdom of great importance in spread of christianity in northern britain. however, iona far unique. lismore in territory of cenél loairn, sufficiently important death of abbots recorded frequency , many smaller sites, such on eigg, hinba, , tiree, known annals.

north of dál riata, inner , outer hebrides nominally under pictish control, although historical record sparse. hunter (2000) states in relation king bridei of picts in sixth century: shetland, orkney, skye , western isles, inhabitants, of whom appear have been pictish in culture , speech @ time, have regarded bridei distant presence.”

norwegian control

the kingdom of isles year 1100

viking raids began on scottish shores towards end of 8th century , hebrides came under norse control , settlement during ensuing decades, following success of harald fairhair @ battle of hafrsfjord in 872. in western isles ketill flatnose may have been dominant figure of mid 9th century, time had amassed substantial island realm , made variety of alliances other norse leaders. these princelings nominally owed allegiance norwegian crown, although in practice latter s control limited. norse control of hebrides formalised in 1098 when edgar of scotland formally signed islands on magnus iii of norway. scottish acceptance of magnus iii king of isles came after norwegian king had conquered orkney, hebrides , isle of man in swift campaign earlier same year, directed against local norwegian leaders of various island petty kingdoms. capturing islands magnus imposed more direct royal control, although @ price. skald bjorn cripplehand recorded in lewis fire played high in heaven flame spouted houses , in uists king dyed sword red in blood .

the hebrides part of kingdom of isles, rulers vassals of kings of norway. situation lasted until partitioning of western isles in 1156, @ time outer hebrides remained under norwegian control while inner hebrides broke out under somerled, norse-gael kinsman of manx royal house.

following ill-fated 1263 expedition of haakon iv of norway, outer hebrides , isle of man yielded kingdom of scotland result of 1266 treaty of perth. although contribution islands can still found in personal , place names, archaeological record of norse period limited. best known find lewis chessmen, date mid 12th century.

scottish control

kisimul castle, ancient seat of clan macneil, castlebay, barra

as norse era drew close, norse-speaking princes gradually replaced gaelic-speaking clan chiefs including macleods of lewis , harris, clan donald , macneil of barra. transition did little relieve islands of internecine strife although 14th century macdonald lords of isles, based on islay, in theory these chiefs feudal superiors , managed exert control.

the lords of isles ruled inner hebrides part of western highlands subjects of king of scots until john macdonald, fourth lord of isles, squandered family s powerful position. rebellion nephew, alexander of lochalsh provoked exasperated james iv forfeit family s lands in 1493.

in 1598, king james vi authorised gentleman adventurers fife civilise barbarous isle of lewis . successful, colonists driven out local forces commanded murdoch , neil macleod, based forces on bearasaigh in loch ròg. colonists tried again in 1605 same result, third attempt in 1607 more successful , in due course stornoway became burgh of barony. time, lewis held mackenzies of kintail (later earls of seaforth), pursued more enlightened approach, investing in fishing in particular. seaforths royalist inclinations led lewis becoming garrisoned during wars of 3 kingdoms cromwell s troops, destroyed old castle in stornoway.

early british era

telford s clachan bridge between mainland of great britain , seil, known bridge across atlantic , built in 1792.

with implementation of treaty of union in 1707, hebrides became part of new kingdom of great britain, clans loyalties distant monarch not strong. considerable number of islesmen came out in support of jacobite earl of mar in 15 , again in 1745 rising including macleod of dunvegan , maclea of lismore. aftermath of decisive battle of culloden, ended jacobite hopes of stuart restoration, felt. british government s strategy estrange clan chiefs kinsmen , turn descendants english-speaking landlords main concern revenues estates brought rather welfare of lived on them. may have brought peace islands, in following century came @ terrible price. in wake of rebellion, clan system broken , islands of hebrides became series of landed estates.

the 19th century time of improvement , population growth. roads , quays built; slate industry became significant employer on easdale , surrounding islands; , construction of crinan , caledonian canals , other engineering works such telford s bridge across atlantic improved transport , access. however, in mid-19th century, inhabitants of many parts of hebrides devastated clearances, destroyed communities throughout highlands , islands human populations evicted , replaced sheep farms. position exacerbated failure of islands kelp industry thrived 18th century until end of napoleonic wars in 1815 , large scale emigration became endemic.

as iain mac fhearchair, gaelic poet south uist, wrote countrymen obliged leave hebrides in late 18th century, emigration alternative sinking slavery gaels had been unfairly dispossessed rapacious landlords. in 1880s, battle of braes involved demonstration against unfair land regulation , eviction, stimulating calling of napier commission. disturbances continued until passing of 1886 crofters act.

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