Stitcher: Christine Dons (Edinburgh)
The coast of Scotland, like much of northern Britain and Ireland, soon learned to dread the sight of the sleek Viking long-ships. From around 795, when these fearsome warriors first raided the heart of Celtic Christianity at Iona, to 1470 when the last Viking territories were transferred to the Scottish Crown, the impact of the Norwegians in Scotland was considerable. This was especially so in the islands of northern and western Scotland, where their legacy can still be traced in place names such as Dingwall and Lerwick. More physical reminders can be found at the remarkable archaeological site at Jarlshof in Shetland.
NO01 Na Lochlannaich
Dh’ionnsaich costa na h-Alba glè luath, coltach ri mòran eile de Breatainn ages Èirinn a Tuath, a bhith eagalach ro shoithichean fada slìomach nan Lochlannach. Bho mu 795, nuair a thug na gaisgich eagalach sin a’ chiad ionnsaigh air cridhe Crìosdaidheachd Cheilteach ann an Eilean Idhe, gu 1470 nuair a bha na fearainn Lochlannach mu dheireadh air an gluasad gu Crùn na h-Alba, bha buaidh nan Lochlannach ann an Alba cudromach. Bha seo fìor gu h-àraid ann an eileanan an iar na h-Alba far a bheil an dìleab fhathast furasta a lorg ann an ainmean-àite leithid Inbhir Pheofharain agus Lèiruig. Tha cuimhneachain nas fhaicsinnich rin lorg aig làrach arc-eòlasach iongantach Jarlshof ann an Sealtainn.