Viking Territory
At the end of the 8th century the islands of Scotland were in the middle of a seafaring highway created by the Norse people from Scandanavia, who were reknowned for both their seamanship and their boatbuilding. Their influence would grow eventually to reach from Russia and the Middle East and from Canada & greenland to North Africa. They exercised great sea-power through fleets of galleys called ‘birlinns’, scouring the seas on the lookout for wealth, slaves, land and trade. When they found it they would loot and plunder or would ‘go viking’. Eventually the activity became the name of these people - Vikings.
From Raiders to Settlers
Over time the raids and looting gradually gave way to settling and the Vikings came to rule and control all the Scottish islands, as well as much of the coastal British mainland. They organised the islands into two "kingdoms" - a northern one encompassing Orkney and Shetland and a southern one which stretched all the way to the Isle of Man and encompassed all the Hebridean islands (Suðreyjar or Sodor). They brought their own language and culture, but over time they integrated and mixed with the native Gaelic culture to create a unique Gaelic/Norse identity that endures to this day in the place-names and language
Somhairle
Key to this blending of traditions was Somerled, or Somhairle, who some believe to have had both Gaelic and Norse ancestry. By the time of his death in 1164, his foresight, strength as a warrior and negotiation skills had created a de-facto independent realm on the islands known as the "Kingdom of the Isles". His court was recognised as a place that fostered music, poetry, religion and learning. His daughter, Beathag, is thought to have founded a medieval monastery and college, known as The Trinity Temple, in North Uist around the year 1200, making it Scotland’s oldest university. In dividing his kingdom among his offspring he also sowed the seeds of the Scottish clan system, with both Cland Donald and Clan MacDougall tracing their line back to Somhairle's sons.
Scottish Rule
The Outer Hebrides were signed over to the Scottish Crown by the King of Norway in 1266 under the Treaty of Perth which ended military conflict between the two countries. However, the King of the Isles (Righ Innse Gall), now downgraded to the Lord of the Isles and a title of the Clan MacDonald, continued to be a powerful Scottish noble, often pursuing his own interests and at often simply disobeying the Monarch.
Modern Influence
Eventually the king grew tired of his rebellious island chieftan and, crucially, the growing strength of the Scottish state made it possible for him to enforce his opinions. The final straw seems to have been an alliance with England to overthrow the Scottish King, James IV. James removed the Lord of the Isles and imposed his rule across Scotland, 200 years after they became Scottish territory. The title lives on to this day, and Prince Charles, the eldest son of the Monarch is the current Lord of the Isles.
The Viking and Norse presence has left a lasting influence in the place names of the Outer Hebrides. Many "Gaelic' place names have norse roots. Dal means a valley, anywhere ending in – bost, or -pol means it was a farm, and anywhere with "Lax" in its name means it was somewhere known for its salmon.
The Viking galley or Birlinn is still the symbol of the Outer Hebrides and can be seen on the flag and crest of the Westenr Isles and the Lord othe Isles.
Although now firmly part of Scotland, many will tell you that an independent streak is a characteristic inherited by many Hebrideans today
