Finlaggan Trust

09/02/2026

Part-time staff required for Finlaggan Visitor Centre from beginning of April to end of September 2026.
Duties include greeting visitors and providing information about the site, cash handling, selling merchandise and keeping the centre clean and tidy.
For more information please contact [email protected]

08/10/2025

The Visitor Centre at Finlaggan is now closed for the winter.
Access to Eilean Mor remains open but please be aware that the path can be muddy and waterlogged after periods of rain.
Donations can be left in the donations box at the centre - Thanks!

17/09/2025

Link to David's book on BBC website!

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cz693e0zdqeo

If you would like to attend the launch at the Finlaggan Visitor Centre on Saturday evening (20 September) please message [email protected]

Archaeologists say the fortress was owned by ancestors of Scotland's medieval Lord of the Isles.

13/09/2025

"The Archaeology of Finlaggan, Islay - excavations at the centre of the Lordship of the Isles 1989-1998" the new book by our Convenor, Dr David Caldwell, will be launched at the Finlaggan Visitor Centre on Saturday 20 September 2025. For further information please contact [email protected]

04/09/2025

OTD in 1241 the future Alexander III was born. He was crowned in 1249 at Scone Abbey, just 8 years old.
When he assumed personal rule in 1259 he aimed to regain control of the Hebrides, which had been ceded to Norway in 1098.
Håkon IV of Norway rejected a request to sell the Hebrides and in 1263 set sail for Scotland. The Scots avoided confrontation until the weather deteriorated, so when the Håkon’s fleet attacked Largs on 2 October, it struggled in the storm and eventually withdrew. Håkon died en route for home, and the Hebrides were returned to Scotland in the 1266 Treaty of Perth.
This exempted Angus Mòr of Islay, King of the Isles, from blame for fighting on Norway's side. He was to “… peaceably remain…under the dominion of the lord the King of Scotland, as freely as the other subjects...”

15/08/2025

Part-time staff required for Finlaggan Visitor Centre until end of the season
2-3 days per week 11am-5pm
Duties include working front of house, taking payments, providing information to visitors, selling merchandise and keeping the centre clean and tidy
For more information, please contact [email protected]

11/08/2025

On this day (probably!) in 1306 Robert I faced John of Lorne (Iain Bacach) at Dalrigh, near Tyndrum. Bruce had just lost to the English at Methven and was running west with the remnants of his army.
Unfortunately for him he had murdered Comyn, Lord of Badenoch, in Greyfriars Church in Dumfries earlier that year. The MacDougalls were cousins of the Comyns. Oops.
The ensuing battle was a rout. Many of Bruce’s allies were wounded, his sister was captured, and Bruce was lucky to escape with his life. That was when Angus Òg of Islay came to Bruce’s aid.
It’s probable that Bruce spent part of the winter of 1306-1307 in Finlaggan, before he and Angus Òg appeared in Ulster in February 1307. A combined force of Hebridean and Ulstermen sailed for Galloway and in the words of the song, sent the English “homeward, to think again.”

05/08/2025

Finlaggan Visitor Centre will be closed on Wednesday 6 August 2025 for the Show Day holiday
Apologies for any inconvenience
Access to Eilean Mor is still open. Donations are gratefully received in the donations box

04/08/2025

White horses on Loch Finlaggan today courtesy of Storm Floris

01/08/2025

OTD 1st August in 1746 The Act of Proscription was passed by the British Parliament as part of its drive to subdue the Highlands after Culloden.
Symbols of Scottish identity and clan loyalty were to be eradicated. Among other things it became illegal to wear tartan or kilts, or to carry or possess weapons.
The Act remained in effect until 1782.

30/07/2025

Finlaggan Visitor Centre will close at 3pm tomorrow (Thursday 31 July 2025)
Apologies for any inconvenience
Access to Eilean Mor is still open after this time. Donations are gratefully received in the donations box

21/07/2025

Finlaggan Visitor Centre will be closed tomorrow (Tuesday 22 July 2025) for a wedding.
Access remains open to the island by donation but please be respectful of the wedding party - Thank you!