Islay
The Isle of Islay (Ěle) is an island in the Inner Hebrides at the far south of the Lordship of the Isles. There
are no lands of the Macdonald dynasty further south, with the exception of Kintyre and a number of counties in northern Ireland.
It is the capital of the Lordship of the Isles, and the Lord of the Isles has his residence on an island in
Loch Finlaggan, known as Eilean Mor. This is one of two islands, however. The other, Eilean na Comhairle, is the seat of political
power, and is where the Council of the Isles meets. Both of these islands are fortified, and show the combination of ancient
Pictish broch and modern Highland castle beautifully.
Islay's neighbour, Jura, one of the most heavily fortified places in Europe, providing a natural defence,
added to by thousands of years of hill forts and duns, against invaders from the mainland. Nonetheless, Islay is also the
among the greatest cultural and commercial centres of northwestern Europe. It is famous for the silver that can be mined
here, and for the quality of local whisky.
However, whilst the main exports are materials such as iron, coal, and lead, the main imports are far more exotic.
They may come from places such as Brittany, Spain, and northern Norway, or even beyond. You may find things from excellent
Spanish weaponry to walrus ivory ornaments here, amongst jewellery, spices, gold, furs, silk, and even slaves. There may be
mercenaries here that you can hire.
Islay's native population is about twenty thousand, and is predominantly Highland Gaelic, although the
local dialect may sound Irish to a visitor. The population of the island changes, however, because of the thirty thousand
gallowglasses that arrive on the island each year. They come here because it is a convenient location, equally accessible
from both Ireland and mainland Britain, and when there are no major conflicts from which the gallowglasses and their families
can profit they often decide to stay here.
These gallowglasses are mainly Irish, and as a result bring Irish culture to the island, and Irish clothing,
which can be distinguished from native clothing by its lighter colour and increased flexibility, as well as being rather more
loose, is often seen here. The Irish tongue is often heard, although usually only in communities of the mercenaries' families
that can be found along the southern and eastern coasts of the island.
Some inhabitants, particularly those who practice Christianity with the addition of various elements of
the ancient druidic religions of Scotland, refer to themselves as Picts, and Pictish features, such as broad noses and light
brown hair, can be seen in many inhabitants.
The seat of political power is Eilean na Comhairle, but the largest stronghold on the island is Loch Gorm castle,
which is also a naval base. There are other naval bases scattered around the coastline, and a single occupied broch.
