The History and Archaeology of the Treshnish Isles

Derek Alexander, Head of Archaeology, National Trust for Scotland

Despite the fact they’ve been uninhabited since 1857, there’s a rich human history to the Treshnish Isles. Currently, there are at least 21 known archaeology sites on the islands, spread across the Dutchman’s Cap, Lunga, Fladda, Cairn na Burgh Mor and Cairn na Burgh Beag. These include two medieval chapels, a 15th- or 16th-century castle and an 18th-century barracks.

Derek Alexander is the Head of Archaeological Services for the National Trust for Scotland. After working as a commercial archaeologist he joined the National Trust in 2000 as the West Region Archaeologist and was appointed Head Archaeologist in 2011. He has undertaken fieldwork on many Trust properties including several small islands in the Hebrides some of which are the Treshnish Isles and Staffa. Many books, academic papers and magazine articles on a wide range of archaeological subjects have been written by Derek, including a book about Renfrewshire.