Argyll History

Argyll's history is one of interest, depth and features a number of key figures during it's development and it's close relationship with Ireland.

 

The Great Thaw

When the ice melted from the last ice age around 15,000 years ago, the luscious green landscape, mountains and lochs were uncovered and reinvigorated into what we fondly associated with Argyll and the Isles today.

 

It is commonly thought that Argyll was only colonised by humans around 12,00 years ago which in terms of history is not very long ago at all, humans would have joined a number of already existing species of wildlife that would have included deer, bears, bison and wolves.

If historians are accurate, then at one time Argyll's west coast and the islands would have been joined or closely adjacent to Canada before the separation and movement of tectonic plates over time.

 

Some of the earliest artifacts such as utensils, standing stones and burial cairns date back to around 8,000 BC and can be seen on a number of islands, and at Kilmartin, Mid Argyll. The earliest dated island settlement is on Mull from around6,500 BC.

 

The Great Fishermen

Argyll has the longest section of coastline in Scotland so it should be no surprise that the inhabitants from way back in history were accomplished fishermen aswell as hunters, the waters on the west coast have always been abundant with fish and seafood and fishing has been a mainstay of livelyhood and economic prosperity for centuries.

 

Scotland would have been rich with wildlife too, already mentioning deer, bison and wolves. Everything apart from deer from these large animals would have been hunted almost to extinctionin particular wolves which would have provided excellent meat and pelt for clothing.

 

The Bronze Age

From around 700 BC Argyll's inhabitants were discovering metals and some of the early tools and utensils would have been made from copper before progressing skills in bronze metalworking. It should come as no surprise that the Bronze age settlements are located almost exactly at the major villages and towns we use and see in Argyll today, with burial cists and monuments incredibly close to modern built up areas.

 

The Importance Of Mid Argyll

Today the real mid argyll perhaps seems quite unimportant than the main towns of Oban and Campbeltown today, however holds a significant number of prehistoric cairns, standing stones and recovered artifacts which contradict that historically near Kilmartin and at Kilmartin museum. Kilmartin is a small village and flat land area that lies triangulated centrally between Crinan, Lochgilphead and the bottom of Loch Awe which would suggest that Loch Crinan and the water that flows from there would have been an important source for the settlements. Moine Mhor, a natural marshland would have been rich in wildlife and the river add was probably a great source of line fishing. The monuments in the region are set in a triangle shape from by Crinan, east along the River Add and then north along Kilmartin burn.

 

It may be a coincidence that Kilmartin and the glen are close to Dunadd, but unlikely.

 

The Iron Age

For Argyll, the Iron Age means forts. Hill forts, duns and other structures used for habitation made with large rock, stone and probably thick timber. There are a number of small and large forts noted in history, although today most of them are all but disappeared with just the locations and visible outlines available to draw your own conclusions from.

 

Romans, Christians & Kings Of The Sea

The Romans slowly discovered Britian leaving Scotland and Ireland until much later around 200BC but doesnt appear that Romans diversified from the central regions leaving much of Argyll without arduous battles. Roman artifacts had been discovered near to Oban and other areas of Argyll however it is most likely that these would have been looted from small skirmishes and taken as valuables, possibly even used by Argyll's settlers.

 

Argyll has strong links with Ireland and the Christian religion being taught from Irish settlers including Saint Columba who travelled through Argyll preaching before reaching Iona where a monestary was developed. The Irish leader Fergus Mor is said to have came to Argyll with his sons to lead the Dal Riata (Dalriada) Christian population. A Dalriad monarchy would have been established, new advanced language and of course religious values which have made fundamental contributions and developments to the modern Scottish culture.

 

The celtic crosses often seen throughout burial sites, graveyards and in remote locations are dated to the preiod after Christianity colonised Argyll and Dalriada, the Irish influence in the designs adopted and changed by the Scots. There are some beautiful works of art in what can be thought provoking locations.

 

The Vikings and Norse storytelling begins in around 900 AD and the battle to gain control of the strategically valuable islands had begun. Boats were the best long distance method of transport and travel, the alternative being horse, cart or walking limited discovery!

 

The historic story of Magnus Barelegs who with his men dragged his longship across from Tarbert's east loch to west loch and thereby claiming Kintyre was an island is a well repeated one and one that stands out when discussing the Kings of the Sea, these Kings also known as Lords of the Isles held seat at Finlaggan on Islay, a place that was acknowledged for centuries as being the centre of the islands.

 

The Macdonalds & The Campbells

Argyll's more recent history is rich with battles and a strong apparant disagreement between the Macdonald and Campbell clans. The Campbells built much of Argyll, in fact on your discovery of Argyll you'll see many of the villages on Islay were designed and built by the Campbells, and of course Campbeltown you should have heard of was quite obviously associated with a Campbell.

 

Remnants & Castles

There are dozens of castles remaining from a number of time periods but mainly the 12th, 13th and 14th centuries. These include Skipness Castle, Castle Sween and Kilchurn Castle which stand out as majestic and well kept examples.

 

We hope this overview serves to inspire and that you'll want to visit Argyll, find out more about the region, and of course explore and revisit those places and follow in footsteps of those greats who navigated and brought change and advancement to Dalriada and what we know today as Argyll.

 

If you have any images or content you would like us to add please email info@argyll.org.