The History of the Isle of Mull

There are many archaeological sites, ranging from chambered cairns and standing stones to vitrified forts, duns and brochs as well as several important castles. Notable among the prehistoric remains is the stone circle at Lochbuie and a further complex of three groups of stones is located near Dervaig. An Iron Age dun, Dun Aisgain, near Burg, s particularly well preserved, and there are other iron Age strongholds at Dun nan Gall and Dun na Fheurain.

There are the remains of several interesting chapels, including those at Pennygown, Kilvickeon and on Inch Kenneth. Guarding the Sound of Mull is Duart Castle, the splendid and daunting 13th-century fortress of the MacLeans. Aros Castle, near Salen, was once one of the most important places on the island, but is now very ruinous. Moy Castle, the empty tower of the Machines of Lochbuie, is in a magnificent setting at Lochbuie.

There were other strongholds at Dun Ara, and at Eilean Amalaig in Loch Spelve, where the MacLeans marshalled their birlinns (galleys). A fierce battle was fought in the 15th century, just north of Tobermory, between Angus, Lord of the Isles and the Earls of Huntly and Crawford, and the site is known as 'Bloody Bay'. One of the ships of the Spanish Armada, Florenica, was moored in Tobermory Bay and blown up here in 1588 after much plotting and deviousness, reputedly with £300,000 of gold bullion on board. Many areas of Mull were cleared of people during the Clearances and later: there are several deserted townships, including Cille Mhuire, Kildavie, Shiaba and Tir Fhearagain. The herring industry was also very important, but this too has dwindled.

Mull: The Island and Its People
"A must have for genealogy research involving Isle of Mull" This is the story of a Hebridean isle as told through the account of the people who lived there between 1600 and 1875. It includes the stories of the landlords, tacksmen, cottars and others who actually lived on or visted the island of Mull. It is the story of a Scottish island as it has never been told before.

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