This study explores the history of the western seaboard of Scotland (the Hebrides, Argyll and the Isle of Man) in a formative but often neglected era: the central middle ages, from the mightly Somerled to his descendant John MacDonald, the first Lord of the Isles (c. 1336).

Drawing on a variety of sources, this very readable narrative deals with three major and closely interrelated themes: first, the existence of the Isles and coastal mainland as a kingdom from c.1100 to 1266; second, the rulers of the region, Somerled and his descendants, the MacDougalls, MacDonalds and MacRuaris; and third, the often complex relations among the Isles, Scotland, Norway and England. A fully rounded history emerges, which transcends national viewpoints.

While political history predominates, the changing nature of society in the isles is emphasised throughout, and separate chapters address the church and monasticism as well as the monuments – the castles, monasteries, churches and chapels that form an enduring legacy.

• Cover
• Half Title
• Series Page
• Title Page
• Copyright
• Dedication
• Contents
• Illustrations
• Abbreviations
• Preface
• Map: The Western Seaboard
• Introduction
• 1 Celts, Norsemen, and Gall-Gaedhil in the Isles: The Historical Background to 1100
• 2 The Age of Somerled, 1100–1164
• 3 ‘A Good Family’: The MacSorleys, 1164–1249
• 4 1266 And All That: The MacSorleys and the Dilemma of Divided Allegiances, 1249–1266
• 5 From Kings to Barons: Autonomy and Assimilation, 1264–1293
• 6 MacDougalls, MacDonalds and MacRuairis in the Wars of Independence, c. 1293–1329
• 7 The Western Seaboard meets Western Christendom: The Church and Monasticism, c. 1100–1300
• 8 A Golden Age? The Monuments of the Western Seaboard
• 9 Conclusion: In Search of the Kingdom of the Isles
• Appendix: Genealogical Trees
• Bibliography
• Index