Professional Documents
Culture Documents
the chiefs of Clanranald in South Uist. They have left us some priceless jewels
of heritage, most notably the seventeenth century manuscripts known as the Red
and Black Books of Clanranald.
PHYSICIANS
The most famous of the physicians were the Beatons, or MacBeth family. It seems
that they came from the north of Ireland to Scotland around 1300. One branch of
the family was based on Islay, and another on the mainland of northern Scotland.
They wrote a vast number of manuscripts on Gaelic folk medicine and their
diagnoses and cures, which were renowned throughout Europe, seem to have been
based for the most part on sound medical principles. Sadly, much of this
knowledge has now been lost.
LAWYERS
The Morrisons (Clann Mhic Gille Mhoire) were the most famous family of
hereditary judges. They had their base at Habost, on the isle of Lewis but their
jurisdiction was wide indeed, from the Butt of Lewis to the Mull of Kintyre.
During the Lordship a distinctive system of law was maintained, based on the
ancient Irish Brehon laws. There was said to have been a judge in every isle for
the settling of all controversies. This was the legal office of the Brehon, or
Brieve.
The Record Keepers of the Lords of the Isles were the MacDuffies or McPhies of
Colonsay. We must not forget that through the local government organisation
known as the Council of the Isles, the Lordship itself wielded enough power to
maintain order and administrative justice throughout its domain.
The main seat of the Lordship was at Loch Finlaggan, on Islay. Here was the seat
of government and the administrative headquarters of the Lordship. In addition
to the private residence with its great hall for feasts and functions, there was
also the chapel of Finlaggan which ranked alongside Iona in importance. Only the
Lords themselves were buried on Iona, but their wives, children and other kin
had the right of burial at Finlaggan. Also at Finlaggan was the place of
inauguration for the Lords of the Isles, including the sacred "footprint" stone,
similar to the one used by the Dalriads at Dunadd.