Finlaggan Islay

The Centre of the Lordship of the Isles

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Update on the Walkway

Update on the Walkway

August 13, 2021 By ron Leave a Comment

The Finlaggan Visitor Centre will be re-opening on Tuesday, 10 August. We have had to conduct some last-minute maintenance work at the historic site and Centre, but will soon be able to welcome you all back once more after a trying two-year hiatus.

The wooden walkway to the site is also undergoing some essential restoration work prior to its dismantling and the construction of a new more robust structure in 2022. As we cannot guarantee its safety while work is continuing, we have had to make the decision to temporarily close it. We would ask all visitors to be aware of this and to avoid traversing the walkway.

This was a difficult decision for the Finlaggan Trust committee, but the safety of all visitors is paramount.

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Finlaggan Visitor Centre Opening

Finlaggan Visitor Centre Opening

July 7, 2021 By ron Leave a Comment

The Finlaggan Visitor Centre will be opening in early July. We need to complete some last-minute preparations before we can welcome you all once more to the site, but please keep checking our Instagram, Facebook and Twitter feeds for updates on a confirmed opening date.

Apologies to all those who have visited the site during the past month. We are aware that many of you travelled specifically in the hope that the VC would be open for the season. But our concerns for the safety of our visitors and staff take precedence.

To all those preparing to come to the island and visit Finlaggan, it has been a trying period for all of us. We are genuinely appreciative of all who visit, seeking to know more about the origins of Clan Donald and the Lords of the Isles.

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Support us Through Amazon

Support us Through Amazon

June 24, 2021 By ron Leave a Comment

If you shop at Amazon, why not help the Finlaggan Trust by going to our page at AmazonSmile: https://smile.amazon.co.uk/ch/SC000821 and nominating us as your chosen charity. Every little helps and is much appreciated.

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Clan Donald Lands Trust Donation Boosts Finlaggan Appeal

Clan Donald Lands Trust Donation Boosts Finlaggan Appeal

April 10, 2021 By ron Leave a Comment

The Finlaggan Trust’s funding appeal for a new walkway has been given a major boost with a pledge of £10,000 from Skye-based charity the Clan Donald Lands Trust. Combined with donations from the local community and other benefactors, this donation will set the Finlaggan Trust well on its way to raising the £30,000 needed to complete this essential project. 
 
The two trusts have a shared interest in promoting Clan Donald history and heritage. Clan Donald Lands Trust was founded in 1971 to purchase and preserve some of the last lands in Clan Donald ownership in Sleat, south Skye. At the heart of these lands is Armadale Castle, Gardens & Museum of the Isles, now a thriving visitor attraction which includes a museum dedicated to Highland and clan history. The story of the medieval Lords of the Isles, and their base at Finlaggan on the isle of Islay, is an important part of the museum narrative.

The Finlaggan Trust was established in 1984 to protect and promote the historic site of Finlaggan. As the former administrative and ceremonial seat of the MacDonald Gaelic Lords of the Isles—whose vast territories endured for over three-hundred years—Finlaggan’s place in the shaping of Scottish identity is little known but crucial nonetheless. Initially, the Trust’s key aims were to stabilise and preserve the ruins on Eilean Mòr and Eilean na Comhairle (the two islands that form the core of Finlaggan), to protect and preserve the carved grave slabs on Eilean Mòr and to create and maintain an interpretive centre for visitor use. Later, in 2007, a 107m wooden walkway was constructed to allow pedestrian access to the site.

Sir Ian Macdonald of Sleat, chair of trustees of Clan Donald Lands Trust, said: ‘We are delighted to support this extremely worthwhile appeal. Our two organisations have a shared interest in promoting the culture, traditions and heritage of the clan. Finlaggan is a vital part or the Clan Donald story which we celebrate in our museum, and this donation will strengthen our existing working relationships. We are looking forward to watching the project develop and encourage others with an interest in clan heritage to support the appeal.’

Richard Russell, chair of the Finlaggan Trust, said: ‘We would like to thank the trustees of Clan Donald Lands Trust for this generous donation. We have had a long association with the trust who also supported the National Museums of Scotland’s excavations at the site between 1990 and 1997 and were instrumental in publicising Finlaggan initially. As the cradle and spiritual home respectively, our two organisations complement each other perfectly.’  

Dr. David Caldwell, director of the excavations and one of the trustees of the Finlaggan Trust, added: ‘The support of Clan Donald was crucial when the excavations were being undertaken, not just because of the generous provision of funding but because it raised awareness and interest amongst MacDonalds and other clansmen to the significance of Finlaggan.’ Dr. Caldwell continued: ‘As a result, I have been privileged over the years to talk about the excavations to clansmen worldwide. The magic and beauty of the place always inspires those who see and hear about it. Going forward, there are tremendous opportunities for the two trusts to provide further support for each other’s activities and initiatives—a bridge from Islay to Skye.’

To assist it further in this vital project, the Finlaggan Trust has launched a JustGiving campaign, allowing anyone to contribute online. Donations can be given by going to www.justgiving.com/campaign/Finlaggan2021 and clicking on the ‘Give Now’ button. Alternatively, contributions can be made by contacting the Trust directly at finlaggan@outlook.com.

There are few locations in the west of Scotland with such a breadth of history as Finlaggan. Please help us maintain this beautiful and evocative site for generations to come.  

Clan Donald Lands Trust and Armadale Castle
Clan Donald Lands Trust is a Scottish Registered Charity, SC007862. The charity owns and manages Armadale Castle, Gardens & Museum of the Isles, a 5-star visitor attraction on the Isle of Skye. Armadale Castle re-opens to visitors on Monday 26 April and will be open daily 9.30–5.30.

More information: www.armadalecastle.com
Contact Christine Davis, Marketing Manager, at marketing@armadalecastle.com for press enquiries and images relating to Armadale Castle and the Clan Donald Lands Trust.

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The Lordship of the Isles needs you – Tha feum aig Rìoghachd nan Eilean ortsa

The Lordship of the Isles needs you – Tha feum aig Rìoghachd nan Eilean ortsa

March 12, 2021 By ron Leave a Comment

The Finlaggan Trust is looking to build a new walkway that will replace the current aged structure and allow continued access to the historic site, “The Ancient Seat of the Lords of the Isles”. We have already secured partial funding from a number of sources and are able to contribute a certain amount ourselves, but there remains a £30,000 shortfall in the £86,000 total nonetheless. If successful in our fundraising we hope to begin work in September/October 2021, with a five- to seven-week timescale for completion of the build, C-19 restrictions and weather conditions permitting.

Please help us with this vital maintenance project. The Lordship of the Isles needs you/Tha feum aig Rioghachd nan Eilean ortsa. With a new walkway the site would remain accessible and open to the public, allowing the Trust to continue to safeguard and promote this beautiful and precious asset for the enjoyment of present and future generations.

For more information on this vital project, and how to help, please see our JustGiving campaign page at https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/Finlaggan2021. Thank you for any assistance you may be able to provide. It is deeply appreciated.

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New Walkway

Opening Hours

The Finlaggan Visitor Centre is now closed for the season, reopening for Easter 2023. The historic site, however, remains open all year round. "Thank you to everyone who visited us during this year. Your support is very much appreciated..

Please see our social media pages for updates on the progress of the new bridge.

Contact Us

Email: finlaggan@outlook.com
Tel +44 (0) 1496 840 644

    

When visiting the historic site, dogs are to be kept on a leash at all times. We only welcome guide dogs inside the Visitor Centre.

© FINLAGGAN TRUST 2015 - SITE BUILT AND HOSTED BY BRAVEHEART WEBDESIGN & IT ISLAY
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