A long adventure out to Finlaggan, once the symbolic centre of the Lord of the Isles “The Lords of the Isles ruled mainland Argyll and the Glens of Antrim, but at its height MacDonald territory stretched up the Great Glen to Ross-shire, beyond to Buchan and the Mearns, and south to Greenan in Ayrshire—all of this virtually independent of royal control. The heir to a strong Gaelic and Norse tradition, the Lord of the Isles (ill Innse Gall) was one of the most powerful figures in the country with

Welcome to Finlaggan in the Isle of Islay. For centuries, this was home to Clan MacDonald and the beating heart of the Lordship of the Isles. There are two important islands in Loch Finlaggan, Eilean Mòr or big island where I'm standing, reached now by a wooden walkway and the smaller (inaccessible) Eilean na Comhairle or Council island where a mini parliament of west coast clans was held. A court of 14 sat around a great stone table, listening to disputes while MacPhee of Colonsay kept records.

Welcome to Finlaggan on Islay, base of operations for the MacDonald Lords of the Isles. Their power stretched from this island, up the Hebrides, reaching deep into Argyll's sea lochs and often much further. As you can see, I finally got a drone but this was its first flight so I'm still getting the hang of it! This special place consists of two small islands in Loch Finlaggan, strangely inland for a Lordship that relied on its seafaring power. Most island chiefs had their strongholds on daunting