Topographic map of a Scottish region showing islands, lakes, and hills, with marked routes and landmarks such as Eilean Ruaidh, Eilean Ghrùididh, and Loch Maree.

Loch Maree Islands

A survey of two islands on Loch Maree was carried out by Gairloch Archaeology Society on 16th June 2009.

Eilean Ruaridh Mòr and Eilean Ruaridh Beag are named after the celebrated chief of Macleods, Ruaridh MacLeod, who lived on Eilean Ruaridh Beag around 1480.

There are remains of the house of John Roy MacKenzie, 4th Lord of Gairloch, who lived in latter part of 16th century and beginning of 17th.

In 1638 Kenneth McKenzie of Gairloch was served heir male to his father when his inheritance included "...the manor place and gardens in the island of Ilinroy (Eilean Ruaridh Beag)..."

J H Dixon 1886.

Map of an archaeological site called Eilean Ruairidh Beag showing the layout of various structures, walls, and enclosures, along with detailed measurements, a compass arrow pointing north, and images of the site’s walls and buildings with scale markers.
Photos of stonework and enclosures on Eilean Ruaireidh Beag, including part of a structure, natural gullies, and internal and wall sections, with a person standing nearby and a landscape background.

Eilean Ghrùididh has been described as fortified and the stone-lined pit has been depicted as a dungeon, although there is no evidence to confirm this. It is said to have been a stronghold of the MacBeaths and then the MacLeods.

Diagram of a prehistoric stone-lined pit or dungeon with annotations indicating stone walls, natural platform, probable entrance, and dimensions, along with a cross-sectional view showing the depth and width of the pit and walls.
Photos of archaeological features on Eilean Ghruididh including a detail of lime mortar in a gable, a stonework lining inside a pit, a fired brick, and a natural platform with greenery, with a person in the background.