This is the history of Islay up to the present day with a particular
focus on the people of the island. Islay was originally part of Dal
Riata, the early kingdom of the Scots, but was then colonised by
Scandinavian settlers in the ninth century. It was also the home of the
MacDonalds, who established the Lordship of the Isles during the
Medieval Period and who mounted a challenge to the Stewart dynasty for
control of Scotland.It also looks at the lesser folk, especially during
the time of the Campbell lairds, from the early 17th century onwards.
Archaeology combined with documentary research has helped to build up a
picture of how the people of Islay lived, the way the land was farmed
and the development of local industries, including the distilling of
whisky.