WHO WAS THE LORD OF THE ISLES? Somerled: Dal Riata to King of the Hebrides

[@audreygrenier7145]

I’m from Cape Breton Island, Canada: we are Gaels 💯! If you know anything about us or our Bonny isle of Cape Breton you’d know our love for the ancestral homeland can not be overlooked nor overstated..We bleed Scotch and fiddle music!!😁 We are Highlanders through and through which is a fact we are all too proud to admit. A fair portion of my people are very much Norse Gaels coming from Barra. No matter whatever, We are all Gaels ☮️💝 🇨🇦

[@NorthernBandit1]

Aye Bruce, wishing you a greatest of days too! Thanks for your believable humorous affection for what we both love. Scotland!

[@willgragido3694]

Love your videos. As a descendant of Scots, and Plantation Scots-Irish who eventually arrived in British North America, I love the thorough, thoughtful way in which you interpret and present the history of Scotland, its history, and the surrounding areas which ultimately aided in creating it. Thank you!

[@drewdavis4614]

You Bruce, are hands down one of the most interesting and amazing Lads to have a You tube channel. I have learned so much about Scottish history in such a short time, but most importantly, you have an incredible way to deliver it so it sinks in and makes sense. Thank you for all your videos! Much Love & Respect my Celtic Brother.

[@ScotlandHistoryTours]

Awesome, thank you!

[@kimberlywallace6148]

Bruce Rocks!!!

[@camerondagg2443]

Second that

[@scientiautverum]

I have Nigel Tranter to thank for my interest in Somerled. I read his book "Lord of the Isles" when it was first published and I was seventeen. Authors of his ilk, who bring history alive in novels, especially to a younger mind, are few and far between.

[@ianb9028]

I also came to Sommerled through Nigel Tranter and many other figures of Scots history.

[@scientiautverum]

@Im Laughinq There is RL Stevenson of course, Dorothy Dunnet, Walter Scott. Unfortunately, I don't know of any Welsh authors, which is somewhat embarrassing as I went to school in Wales. However, with such a literary country, there must be at least one or two.

[@SlowLane-pv3nf]

Nigel Tranter was responsible for my interest in the border country with his tales of reivers.

[@anthonyodonnell6105]

I read that book too, though I'm sure not when it was first published. I've read a good few of his books.

[@scientiautverum]

@@anthonyodonnell6105 Early '80's I think (assuming it wasn't a reprint!)

[@eamonlyons8318]

Proud to have Gaelic and Norse Gael heritage

[@angusmacdonald4860]

It's cuz we are proud to have Norse blood in us. We are Norse-Gael

[@Dylanmccutcheon747]

As am I, My clan name is a sept from clan Donald so I bet we’re related down the line somewhere, cheers lad 🍻 proud of my Norse 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 🩸

[@mephistophelescountcaglios1489]

So you are racist Gael is inferior unless you can add some scots norse too it welcome to the neo Nazi's

[@stevepenney2073]

@@Dylanmccutcheon747 A Houston here...were all related

[@brucecampbell6578]

Some are proud to be pirates. Others are proud to be patriots. Make your choice Angus.

[@Alfonzridesagain]

A lot of Brittonic and Anglo Saxon in there as well pal (plus a bit of Norman and other western European). Those identities are less romantic but, y'know, it's English that we're communicating in

[@khumphrey2231]

I love this history! As an American, it's fascinating to see and hear what happened to create those of us who carry Scots, Scandinavian, Irish and English DNA. Our country is relatively "new", in comparison to the history that made us, US. 😊 Thanks! And, have a wonderful day yourself!

[@ScotlandHistoryTours]

It's still cold😨

[@khumphrey2231]

@@ScotlandHistoryTours It's VERY cold here, as well. 15* with lots of snow, which we don't normally have. Ridiculous weather!

[@dm9777]

Love this layered and nuanced history. I'm Irish with Gaelic clan lines from the northern Uí Neill in Ulster on one side of the family and Norse-Gael clan lines from Dublin on the other. We're all in each others pockets for thousands of years in this part of the world. From Lindisfarne to Limerick, Donegal to Dalwhinnie, Caithness to Cork. Sláinte mhaith a chairde.

[@ScotlandHistoryTours]

True

[@MrResearcher122]

My grandad was Donegal man-O'Neil clanns, O'Cannon, O'Gallaghaer, and O'Donnel is our Donegal heritage. Gallowglass were given a lot of land in Donegal, and were often given in marriage gifts between Scottish Clanns women and O'Neil Clanns.

[@shespeakssoftly]

Cool lineage you have. :)

[@kdx9083]

I have Dal Riata all over my family tree, including Somerled. Irish and Scots

[@nicholahenry539]

Thank you for sharing fascinating

[@gerrycastlemanwarde5933]

As always brilliant!

[@markperron851]

As a descendant of Somerled I truly appreciate this post. Fine job. Thank you

[@patriciatyree7501]

Better late than never! I just happened across your video. It was very informative and I appreciate your sense of humor.

[@eileencarroll6418]

Really nice camera work for this type of natural lighting. Well done.

[@anthonyodonnell6105]

Great discussion. Like others here, I first came to Somerled through Nigel Tranter. A great figure, Somerled, there's a point to be made in his name itself being Norse.

[@drognnarthorellan2211]

that was truly the greatest churchill ever bravo sir bravo :)

[@ScotlandHistoryTours]

Spitting Image here I come😎

[@scipio7837]

A newbie here and proud Canuck with nary a hint of Scottish in me, but man you weave a tale... Huzzah

[@ScotlandHistoryTours]

Thank you very much my Roman friend

[@azariahisrael5632]

I am a decendant of Somerled vis McDonald's of Sleat and Glengarry and also via the MacDougalls of Dunnollie..Strangely enough this also thru my MacLeod ancestors of Skye and Dunvegan Castle. These clans were at war a lot but also intermarried quite a bit.

[@corytucker6668]

Awesome video I can appreciate the work put into it. My grandmothers line is descended from Somerleds line from her Macdonald side of the family. I love the history of the kings of the isles.

[@Sabrowsky]

Weather: gets snowy and prevents Bruce from going to a castle. Bruce: YOU'VE JUST MADE AN ENEMY FOR LIFE

[@ScotlandHistoryTours]

Okaaaaaay

[@glynluff2595]

Lord of the Isles was a very fine railway engine in its day. The Irish Sea was an international waterway for thousands of years because water and seaways were more practical than land routes

[@repubilican]

Thanks for this! I love your story telling and this is a subject I am deeply interested in. Much appreciated.

[@ScotlandHistoryTours]

Have a look through some of the other videos

[@repubilican]

@@ScotlandHistoryTours I have been watching them all. I wrote you a few months ago letting you know I was seeking to learn more about somerled and dal riata. I let you know I was a Macinnis from Nova Scotia. I was hoping you would explain more about this story - and you did! Not sure if our previous communication prompted you to make video, but I truly love your ability to tell these stories with passion and personality! I have been sharing your videos with many folk. May your following grow

[@andrewmorton7482]

You raise an interesting question about why we seem OK with the Vikings having ruled big chunks of Scotland. I suspect that it comes down to the concept of 'nation'. At the time of Somerled there was no 'Scotland' as such. Kings controlled lands that they could hold against other kings. One year the dominant king in a particular place may be Angle, the next a Pict, the next a Viking. Bruce is, I think, idolised because largely, after him, the territorial identity of Scotland (apart from the Orkneys and the Shetlands) was defined

[@shivanilila9180]

I absolutely love your videos, thank you so much! I would love to watch one about Ragnhild, wife of Somerled, and her father Olaf the Red. Do you know much about them? So far I haven’t been able to find much... Thank you! ❤️🙏🏼✨🙏🏼❤️

[@kathleenmccrory9883]

Interesting, I haven't read 'Lord of the Isles', but I will. I learned of Somerled from researching my last name. I enjoyed your take on Somerled. I remember reading that he has at least 500,000 descendents, second only to Ggenghis Khan. I don't know for sure if I am a descendent of his, or not, but I like to think it's possible.

[@bobdidit55]

I’ve watched all your Somerled videos. And I genuinely think he’s the true hero of Scotland. Maybe as the Americans say, the founding father of Scotland and its clans.

[@molecatcher3383]

Somerled was the ancestor of the male line of The MacDonald, MacDougall, MacQueen, MacAlastair and several more Western clans I have not listed. Recent DNA analysis of several different clan chiefs of the MacDonald Septs found a Norwegian type Y male Haplogroup. I think that your take on Somerled is based upon a later, more pro-Gaelic/Scottish version of history. Somerled's paternal ancestry is a matter of dispute - some claim he is from the Norse-Gael House of Ivar. Somerled is a Norse name, he married a Norse Princess, he waged war against the Scottish Crown, he (or at least his sons/grandsons) swore allegiance, and paid taxes to, to the King of Norway for some of their lands. He was of mixed Gaelic/Norse ancestry which was fairly common in the Hebrides/West Coast and Irish Sea at the time. It might have suited the Gall-Gaels Chieftains to have their king in a more remote location across the North Sea rather than on the nearby mainland - thus giving them more autonomy. The Hebrides had been either part of Dal Riada or Pictland before they were taken over by the Norse. At the time of the initial Norse invasion Alba did not exist (or it barely did) so it is debatable if those areas by the time of Somerled were even Scottish. Also why would Somerled feel any more loyalty to the Anglo-Normanised Scottish kings in Dunfermline/Edinburgh than to the equally foreign King of Norway? Judging by the amount of Norse place and family names from the North-West the Norse must have been there in considerable strength and we know that they were there for over 400 years. They became thoroughly Gaelicised and mixed into the original native population and I think that they were not looked upon as foreign occupiers as you make out - they had become the locals. I think there is a mistaken tendency to equate the Norse influence on Gaelic Scotland to the English invasions of the late 13th century. When Somerled fought against the Norse-Gael rulers and took control of their land it was more of a Norse-Gael clan battle than it was Scotland versus Norway. Norwegian control of Argyle continued for over 100 years after Somerled's death. Scotland at the time of Somerled was barely a united country like it would become 200 years later. There were several very distinct regions such as Galloway, the Hebrides , The Lothians, Moray, Caithness, Strathclyde which were historically independent and which, in some cases, did not have a long history of Gaelic culture/language - if at all. Somerled is a big character and there are different versions of who he was and what he did. An interesting video and I am enjoying your work.

[@bernicia-sc2iw]

Agreed . Unfortunately there are very few contemporary ,or near contemporary, sources on Somerled , and most of what is told of his exploits is simply much later Scottish medieval propaganda and storytelling where his Norse connections were conveniently forgotten. 13th century Clan Donald praise poetry explicitly mentions Norse ancestors . After the wars of independence this changes and an appropriate Gaelic paternal ancestry was promoted, which we now know to have been invented .

[@viking_training_system]

I just wrote something similar. Most decent scholars have known this for a while, even before DNA testing. The Kathleen MacPhee book is a ridiculous, sensationalist false narrative. Unfortunately the type of 'pop history' presented here with little actual research is prevalent nowadays. The cult of personality.

[@JEPATTERSON07]

That Norse Hammer was something of a history-smith's tool. It forged the swirling design of Scotland's patterned steel blade and tempered it to stand the test of time.

[@thomaskerr9891]

I've only recently found out through research of my family tree that most of my genome is shared with folks from the area encompassed by Dal Riata. My great gran was born on Benbecula, between the Uists, and my mothers family came from Northern Ireland. Thanks for making and sharing this video from those of us in the diaspora, myself being from the US. You do all of us far flung descendants a great service.

[@royagilmore]

Huh, I don't know what happened to my comment. Maybe I forgot to press the "Comment" button. Anyway..., Thank you, Bruce, for the interesting video. All of my known Scottish ancestors came from the Western Isles, and most of them came from Lewis. There's something I think you touched on lightly. Most inhabitants of the Western Isles have had mixed Norse-Gaelic or "Gall-Ghàidheil" ("foreigner-Gaels") ancestry for well over a thousand years, and I think they may see the Norse differently than mainland Scots. The Norse ruled the Western Isles for hundreds of years from the mid 9th century until the Treaty of Perth in 1266 gave Scotland de jure possession of the Western Isles, but the Western Isles were then semi-independently ruled by the Norse-Gaelic Lord of the Isles until 1493 when James IV seized the ancestral homeland, estates, and titles of the last Lord of the Isles, finally giving Scotland de facto possession of the Western Isles. The history and the people of the Western Isles are as much Norse as they are Scottish. While often seen as a Celtic hero, Somerled had mixed Norse-Gaelic ancestry too, and the Crovan dynasty King of the Isles that Somerled defeated to become Lord of the Isles was his brother-in-law, Guðrøðr Óláfsson. I find it ironic that the last bastion of the Gaelic language, the Western Isles are also known as "Innse Gall", loosely meaning "Island(s)/Isle(s) of (the) Foreigner(s)/Stranger(s)" or "Island(s)/Isle(s) belonging to or possessed by (the) "Foreigner(s)/Stranger(s)" (technically that is grammatically incorrect, as both "innse" and "gall" are singular, but that's been the name for a long time, and I think it has become more of an idiom, than an accurate translation). Tapadh leat agus tìoraidh an-dràsta a charaid.

[@bernicia-sc2iw]

Judging by surviving praise poetry , the descendants of Somerled celebrated their Norse ancestry until the wars of independence under Bruce . Then the propaganda begins and you start to see the constructed genealogies emerge going back to mythical Irish kings and Gael lords of the Isles along his paternal line. When in fact his paternal line was Norse .

[@TheAdventuringFoodie]

Loved this one, Bruce!

[@lelajones6591]

Love your videos I just found out my paternal line is decended from him so very cool

[@keithmcalister6621]

Very interesting video , Somerled mentioned in my Clan history

[@ScotlandHistoryTours]

Very cool!

[@75YBA]

All the best Bruce, you’re a real gem! 🇨🇦

[@b.griffin317]

That Arthur video has yet to be made.

[@ScotlandHistoryTours]

I know, I know

[@raynorman4315]

Enjoyed your way of teaching History I found your site looking for info on Somerled. Had a DNA test appears I’m a descendant “ King of Argyll” this fella Somerled! Thanks!

[@brucestevenson8797]

Thankyou for this video Bruce. Yes im proud to have Norse blood to. Would love to learn Gaelic to.

[@neiloflongbeck5705]

Just how many legends of Scots leaders involved caves? Somerled, Robert Bruce.

[@robertguthrie1894]

Awesome content as usual Sir much thanks from Florida

[@bernicia-sc2iw]

Important fact though : only a small minority of McDonalds , McDougalls , McAllisters , Alexanders, McCains are actually descended from Somerled down the paternal line and carry his Y DNA . About 80-90% of males from these clans do not. However , if you have Scottish ancestry, whether a McDonald or not , then you almost certainly have Somerled as a genealogical ancestor , just not down the paternal line.

[@haraldtheyounger5504]

2 great books on Somhairlidh mhór mac Gillebride mhic Gilledomnán (Somerled) by R. Andrew McDonald: The Sea Kings or The kingdom of The Isles.

[@TwdlD]

Somerled had Norse dna full stop. This was learned very recently. Trade and life in general had been going on with the Vikings for some time so they may have been more accepted by the Gaels. I also imagine that Somerled's grandfather being betrayed by his own people may have also struck camaraderie among the Gaels. How they lived life was much closer to how the Norse lived life than how the lowlanders lived life. He also married Princess Ragnhildis Olafsdatter of Man who was the granddaughter of Godred Crovan of the Crovan Dynasty (Uí Ímair).

[@peterwood2246]

Cheers big yin, another great one I'm aff tae ma bed night shift 🤪🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@r.johnston919]

Hi Bruce, Hi Bruce,I enjoy all your history programmes. I felt the need to chip in with this, Britain only seemed to start defeating the German army once the 51st Highland Division was up and running again .If you remember the 51st Highland Division was abandoned and sacrificed early in the war in an attempt to keep France in the war and to allow the other British troops to be saved from certain defeat and capture at Dunkirk.The 51st HD was rebuilt and back in time for the big win at El Alamein and was heavily involved in that desert battle..”It is not the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning.”

[@ScotlandHistoryTours]

Aye I know about the 51st I had a great Gaelic language book about one of the troops. Here's a link to a video I did. To be fair it was a long time ago and I wasn't as polished. I was in Perth WA doing stand up at the time kzbin.info/www/bejne/eoHXemZuqt6Joa8

[@alanrmacdonald622]

We are Gall Gael. The Norse never left the Hebrides. We interbred with them.

[@heritagestories784]

Can I say how much I love what you do. I only recently discovered your channel and am working my way through it. As to your question why are people happy with Viking links, people do like to choose their history. There is a parallel in Northern Ireland where all protestants believe they are descended from the originals planters. ALL of them are descended from Scots (despite the fact that 40% were English). There is no Ulster- English Agency! I have known people get totally IRATE when you suggest their ancestors were from England.

[@ScotlandHistoryTours]

😂 Good point

[@eckmacdonald]

Same part of the world but a wee bit later, you should look into the Gallowglass if you havent allready.Scots Norse/Gaelic mercenaries who fought for the various kings of the various Irish Kingdoms. Alasdair Mac Colla was a standout for me. Keep up the good work

[@ScotlandHistoryTours]

Aye, it's just me and my missus holding a camera when she gets a day off. Rome wasn't built in a day by a DIY man in his spare time😂

[@johnedmond9469]

Arthur as in Arthur's Seat. What a historic site with Arthur's last night before the battle, St Margarets Lake ( the only lake in Scotland) Holyrood Park and Holyrood Castle and Abbey. Loved going boating in the spring on the Lake, in the early days of dating. Have you done a video on why Holyrood Palace came to be? Grew up and attended school in Edinburgh which is truly " the Athens of the North."

[@fraserm9952]

It's good to see MacInnes being mentioned I didn't know our clan had some Norse-Gael roots.

[@blairrobert3438]

Very old name. Ferguson is even older. There's even older Pictish names like Caltram, Gunn, Ogilvie. Avalon is a pictish word. Food for thought.

[@paulcannell7188]

again great stuff.

[@magnusosmond1835]

Love the thumb nail 😂

[@DM-fj8wv]

Great video again, thanks mate from Oz.

[@bigwilf1966]

grew up in paisley i remember people pushing for a full examination of the area where Glasgow airport now is before it was built as that was the scene of the Battle of Renfrew. Where Somerled was murdered the night before the battle.

[@ScotlandHistoryTours]

Shut it! That's episode 3

[@bigwilf1966]

@@ScotlandHistoryTours Sorry! accidental spoiler.

[@Royalblue228]

So gooooood on the zukerberg roast.

[@ScotlandHistoryTours]

😜

[@ladybarbarapinsonartist431]

Well done, you!

[@julianshepherd2038]

You forgot to mention the Vikings founding Dingwall in the car park between the community centre and Tesco's.

[@ScotlandHistoryTours]

Don't worry I have several future episodes dedicated to the car park in Dingwall between the community centre and Tescos 😜

[@colinmacdonald5732]

Those supermarket trolleys are steeped in history.

[@lynnemurphy114]

Wonderful your history is so intresting as a mythical storys have truth..our family believed...Thank you Mr Bruce...As some would wipe out ..ie I love a truth tellers 💚....

[@arnum91]

Great vid but your animation at 4:17 is a bit misleading - Magnus dragged his boat across the isthmus at Tarbert, Loch Fyne, which is much further south than shown. They hold a Viking-themed festival there to re-enact and commemorate it, although Covid might have put a stop to it in recent years...

[@RickPop85]

very interesting thanks this a period which is very much interesting 👍

[@archiebrown3719]

❤❤❤

[@velondabe6868]

Amen brother, sounds like it is now days!

[@matthewmackenzie5773]

I love your last few statements about everyone reveers William wallace lord douglas robert the bruce but at that time. Scotland was already... Scotland. So who were the ones that came before? The ones who held off the Romans? The caledonii who were the ones that held off the vikings? The gaels picts scotii. I vaguely know and to me. THATS THE MOST IMPORTANT. Those guys in the 8th 9th 10th centuries, nothing was built up then and it was alot harder for them to band together in my opinion granted they were so divided, it was a early age. Kenneth macailpin, causauntin l, and more. Some of those guys should be honored more than bruce n wallace ( not to discredit them) I understand its hardly because theres such little knowledge of them. Much appreciate this video!

[@blairrobert3438]

Agreed although more is known about the Wallace and Bruce periods than the prior.

[@JohnX1776]

Grandson of Somerled Lord of the Isles checking in - PER MARA PER TARRAS! ⚔️ 🇺🇸🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 ⚔️

[@ruprecht8520]

I suspect the viking conquests are less bothersome to modern Scotts because they are historical. The Vikings are gone, the English remain and still exert a lot of influence.

[@qlnbd]

Deleted my previous comment cause you made it redundant when i got to the 2nd vid. Cheers. So glad i discovered your chan.

[@mr.caretaker6086]

I suppose since Scotland borders England the threat from England has continued. Where as the threat from the Vikings faded away. Hence more of a concern about English domination. Looks a bit nippy there great video again. 😊

[@ScotlandHistoryTours]

A bit nippy? A BIT NIPPY !!!!

[@damarekonayaro5781]

Did the conversion from Anglo Saxon to Norman french change how the "English," powers operated showcase a the threat of cultural genocide ?

[@blairrobert3438]

Invasion from West as well. Gaelic. I often wonder how wild Scotland must have been during the Roman occupation of the south.

[@bigboaby555]

good vid , personally I don't believe the Vikings really ever had any major influence on mainland Scotland , any they did was short lived and tolerated , as you mentioned the Vikings largely seemed to mix with and adopt the Gael culture and vice versa . The Islands were a different matter though , isolated small populations would always struggle to deal with Viking attacks ..... But then you've got boys like Somerled who step up to the plate , C'mon the Gaels 👌

[@kellyprice1024]

I waited for this one. My ancestry. MacDougall Clan start.

[@bigjoebob]

Fantastic video

[@ScotlandHistoryTours]

I thank you Big Jojo 😁

[@julianmilam]

My ancestor on my mothers side goes back to Sumarliði. I tried to find out what happened to the clan that developed from his sons but it just sort of becomes lost to history.

[@stuartjackson8091]

the Vikings shocked but failed, they could hold onto the isles and poor land in the west coast but completely failed to hold onto Moray ,so they could never take enough good arable land to become a threat, it's all about sustaining a warband, or bands. so failing to hold the north east and southern Alba, Kenneth McAlpine made is bones as an effective leader against the new Viking threat, as a Gaelicized Pict, the Norse in my view created Gaelic Scotland like they created a united England, like the romans and Northumbrians help create Pictland and alba. Scotland wasn't in danger after the initial shock, the Norse became Gaelicized during the 10th and 11th century, like the Northumbrian's failed to angelized the southeast. might sound strange but winning battles doesn't always win wars, just as native American's, it's manpower and logistics. the English with all there victories in the sixteenth century failed to win a war, (rough wooing). it remained welsh as much as English until 9th and 10th/11th century when the scots were able to take advantage of the power vacuum made by the Norse. In fact Gaelic culture thrived in this period. I think it was more in Scottish physic because England actually overcame the whole of Scotland. during the wars of independence and the war against the Vikings was a Canmore story, (though the battle of larges is painted large in the national museum of antiquates) the wars of independence had a political statement at the end of it and were a Bruce and Stewart story the crown was also now based in the south not the north, England being an existential threat. there's actually battles all over lowland Scotland between the Norse and us, but they were raids and even if the scots kingship had a high mortality rate, the nature of Celtic succession at the time meant this was not a game stopper as it was in later mediaeval Scotland within the feudal system. the Norse also had a mutual enemy with the scots so deals were always done, and that was to stop any major power from emerging from the south. Plus are written records the templates of our story were written later when England had become the major threat and many of our history's were lost through Viking raids on monasteries and there removal by longshanks anyway, actually a lot of history was lost when the royal records were being moved to London by Charles the 1st they sank in the forth, but anyway history is about rewriting. Gaelic culture was also very mixed up with Norse, and the kings based in the east were not going to give rival lineages that's my take on it's own creation myth. Anyway it's a bit of a congested rant but maybe some points are worth thinking about. my family on my mums side are MacKay's and Frasers who helped bring the north back into the Scottish fold (even if the Frasers were French Norsemen, funny old world). for my self I'm sort of happy we weren't taken by the Norse or the Northumbrians /English or the romans for that matter.

[@CincinnatiRay]

That would be Gunn!

[@jimreid481]

Recently learning of my more ancient ancestors and a couple of names you mentioned grabbed my attention. I have focused most of my genealogy search on the paternal side that has taken me back to Duncan. What Id love to know more about is how the "Isle of Man" played a part in Scottish history and its influence, not just where they run the TT Road Race (humor). This is where my maternal side originates with John Kaighin, b) 1540 in Kirk Michael on the Isle of Man. His last name would change to "Cain" by the late 1600's. Go figure, and I thought my mom's side was some boring ole English folk. LOL

[@ScotlandHistoryTours]

Aye, a trip to the Isle of Man sounds nice

[@jeffreybarnes6965]

Where can I find more information about Somerled?

[@gregsweigert5190]

Just had DNA results come back saying I am related to Somerled. Pretty awesome news.

[@kevmccormack9857]

I think that one very romanticized reason we oppose English rule over Norse is that we have Norse in our Blood and all that Jazz. But personally, I think it's probably because of Modern Day politics. You see, I think if we were governed by the Nordic Council like we are Westminster, then we'd probably resent them just as much. The Grass is always Greener. Maybe in Somereds time, people felt attachment to the English in the romantic way people do the Norse today. The Grass is always Greener

[@ScotlandHistoryTours]

Aye

[@foxspokane]

By Sea By Land

[@mikeygilmour4635]

Surely the lack of perturbation about Viking invasions is similar to lack of perturbations regarding the Roman invasion in that in the end all were thrown out. Perhaps, should independence happen then after a few hundred years our descendants would be similarly unperturbed by the current system of Anglocentric governance.

[@ScotlandHistoryTours]

Aye you may have a point, but ye had tae use the 'I' word 😅

[@mikeygilmour4635]

@@ScotlandHistoryTours Oops. Force of habit 😅

[@ScotlandHistoryTours]

😉

[@dorteweber3682]

They didn't get thrown out. they settled and integrated and lost their own language and culture, but they are there still in the DNA.

[@duncanforbes1972]

Adam Ardery wrote a couple of books on merlin and Arthur. He presented the history from a solicitors point of view as if going to court. IE nae nonsense.

[@kathleenferguson3296]

So, is this where they found the ficticious Lord Sunnerisle of "Wickerman"?

[@infinitewisdom7642]

Little did people know that Somerled was in part responsible for the King James Bible

[@ScotlandHistoryTours]

Bloomin heck! How did he manage that?

[@earlofsmeg]

My question may not be directly related to this I know that there were many different languages spoken in what is now Scotland, but from all these different peoples, how did Gaelic prevail as the language above all other languages in Scotland? Or did it?

[@kimberlywallace6148]

From what I have gathered over the years, Gaelic prevailed in The Highlands up until Culloden Moore which was a real conundrum of international players. The Scots of The Lowlands were speaking a “dialect/language “ of Scots English which evolved into a more Anglicized form of English. Seems the Gaelic language was spoken more among Catholics while English was the language of Protestants. Confused yet? Lol, it’s not easy to sort out even among Scots. The events of history surrounding The British Isles is so extensive that only scholars and those dedicated to learning can grasp it. Gaelic is alive though!

[@earlofsmeg]

@@kimberlywallace6148 my ancestors were Protestants from the Highlands. As I am a Protestant as well. They came to America in the early 1600's. Gaelic was spoken in their communities here until very recently. My Grandparents spoke Gaelic. I learned from them but forgot most of it. I am learning again though. That is not what I meant. Gaels colonized Western Scotland, Picts already lived there, Brits lived in the south, And from all those languages, Gaelic was the one that prevailed. And the Scottish name. Why?

[@finnlegand]

I think due to the fact we are currently under the English crown and due to how we have countless lost traditions descended from the Vikings and the fact they interbred themselves and the Picts out of the local populace (that we are now called Scots) and the fact that it was so long ago why we are so hostile of the current colonials.

[@lunachester3056]

I think the Scots don't mention the Viking Invaders as much as the English Invaders because I feel like the English the Scots look down upon as being posh and pompous and in Vikings are known as fierce and strong and brave. So Scott's C more of themselves in Vikings than they do in the English I'm sure among other things also probably.

[@sagekai1372]

I'm a descendant of the Alasdair clan or donald clan. Descendant of somerled.

[@trailingarm63]

I think lots of people, especially northerners, having a sneaking respect for Vikings. They may have been marauding bxxxxxxs, but they were good sailors, warriors and traders and they established reasonable societies. The English had less romance and heroism but made inroads through superior numbers and resources - not widely appreciated and certainly not by Celtic groups.

[@jussomdude9357]

Macdougall are descendents of somerled

[@Seansaighdeoir]

A minor quibble if I may. Scotland wasn't really colonised by England that's a bit of a lazy approach but probably is one a lot of Scots maybe happy with as it supports a certain narrative. The same argument is made in Ireland. What people forget is that England, Ireland and Scotland were all conquered and 'colonised' by the Normans'. These were remnants of the Norse who had settled in Normandy but also had ties back to Venice and Byzantium. These were warriors were the militant outsourcing of the Venetian black nobility and their conquests and trading wars were part of the larger story. History didn't begin and end with the Norman's either - there are connections that run right back Rome and earlier.

[@wiseguysoutdoors2954]

I'm a direct descendant of Somerled through the MacDonalds and McKeans

[@JosephWilsonProductions]

Clann Gunn Caithness Pict-Norse-Gael here... lol, Can't hate ourselves now can we? lol

[@brianvalero6272]

hahaha love it

[@michaelthecarprof]

The problem with characterizing the Vikings as invaders is that doesn't acknowledge that the Gaels were themselves invaders from Ireland and Gaelic as foreign a tongue as Norse originally. Northern Scotland and the Isles saw waves of different peoples arriving, fighting, allying and inter-marrying throughout the early medieval period. Somerled himself with his Norse name is a perfect example of how quickly people all around the Irish Sea had become a Gaelic-Norse hybrid culture.

[@ScotlandHistoryTours]

I agree with most of this, though the academics would question the idea of Gaels being invaders from Ireland as opposed to indigenous. Then again, I'm not an academic. I'm just a story teller.

[@michaelthecarprof]

@@ScotlandHistoryTours I am an academic, although in Communication not History. Gaelic is certainly originally an import brought over by people driven out of Ireland and who settled/invaded Scotland. Of course, the Gaels of the time your talk about would have been the descendants of those original Irish, indigenous Picts and Norse - so, increasingly were their Viking opponents.

[@ScotlandHistoryTours]

Hey man, it's not me you're arguing with. I'm just a bawbag wi a smartphone and a tripod. Where I suggest that language of Dalriadan Gaels was different from Picts and Britons I get a hard time, now you give ma a hard time the other way round. I just think you academics should argue it out amongst yourselves and let me make ill informed, but slightly entertaining tour guide videos😁😁😁

[@michaelthecarprof]

@@ScotlandHistoryTours I'm sorry if I sounded like I'm arguing - that's wasn't my intention at all. I love your story-telling!!! I suppose I'm guilty of the academic sin of making things more complicated than they need to be! I'm not setting myself up as an expert, just trying to pass on a little of what I've learned working with archaeologists and linguists over the years. Actually, the point I was trying to make - obviously badly - was in support of your message in your video on being a Scot and person of colour: that Scotland (and Ireland and England) have always been a melting pot of different people and cultures (Gaelic, Britanic, Pictish, Norse, Norman etc,) - and always been a lot more cosmopolitan than some people (not YOU!!!) want to admit. I love what you do, your knowledge of Scotland and it's history is both greater and richer than mine. Feel free to tell me to pull my academic head in if I'm talking pish!

[@michaelthecarprof]

@@ScotlandHistoryTours I would also happily stick up for you against anyone who thinks the Gaels weren't different from the Picts and Britons! 😁😁😁

[@joepratte727]

i know he is irish but what do you have on Lluelynd the great? really enjoy learning about scotland and my ancestors.

[@ScotlandHistoryTours]

I've got nothing, sorry

[@repubilican]

Here is to the Macinnis clan, whom , with Somerled, an others , turned the tied

[@xmacd]

His name was Somhairle. Somerled was written for people to read in other languages. His name was Gaelic.

[@brysonmacdougal7898]

Somhairle was Middle Irish. Somerled was Anglicized form of the Old Norse name Sumarliði meaning "summer traveller".

[@colinmacdonald5732]

And even better, Somhairle gets anglicized to Sorley. If you want to be really purist write out using Norse runes!

[@adventureswithsteve2981]

Good to see some Mac/Mc Donalds and Dougalls here

[@jumbodoug]

Interesting point about invaders. Should we in pictland feel aggrieved by the Scots invaders from across the Irish sea? Should we be singing "oh flower of pictland" at rugby games?

[@igorscot4971]

Another tease about King Arthur being Scottish, well, if the one, I am thinking you are referring to, he was not a king, but maybe a prince, although is name is very close.

[@igorscot4971]

@420rgb2 2 According to Adam Ardrey, Arthur was the son of the Scottish king, Aedan.

[@matthewmorrisdon6906]

Do the Morrisons.