This map of Scotland displays the Isle of Skye. Like the Isle of Man,
Skye has seen many different inhabitants over the centuries. In pre-christian times, the
Western Isles were inhabited by diminutive Iron Age people, before the arrival
of the Celtic peoples from the continent c.1000-500bc. These Celtic peoples,
eventually called 'Picti' by the Romans, lived in the Western Isles until the
Scots began migrating from Northern Ireland c.400ad.
The legendary Saint Columba, or Colum-Cille, as he is
correctly known, visited the Isle of Skye in the 6th century, in his quest
to convert the Pagan Picts to Christianity. It is said that, to prove the power
of the one Christian God, he undertook a mission to destroy a huge, ferocious
wild boar that had been terrorising the inhabitants of Skye. He went up into
the mountains of Skye, the Cuillins, unarmed and alone. A few days later he
returned, unscathed, to inform the people of Skye that the boar would trouble
them no more. He was correct, the creature was never again seen. In later centuries, Skye witnessed the intrigues
and adventures of the Jacobites, the loyal followers of the Stewart Dynasty.
Indeed, Bonnie Prince Charlie himself escaped Hanoverian capture by fleeing to
Skye, dressed as a maid! Nowadays, the Isle of Skye is a popular tourist haunt,
though no one is ever allowed to forget her colourful and dramatic past.
