Early History

There is little in the way of documented history of Isle Martin prior to the late 18th Century, although the island must have been an important place for many years prior to that. It is probable that the island has been inhabited off and on for several thousand years, but no archaeological survey has been undertaken.  The only specific, but anecdotal, references are to a St. Martin who is reputed to have established a monastery on the island, probably around 300-400 AD, and after whom the island is named.

By the 18th century, there was an important and active trade in fish from the island, and a herring station and associated customs house were established by John Woodhouse.  This closed in 1813 after successive years of falling catches.  During this period there were probably around a hundred people living on the island.

Crofting and Agriculture

The island has probably been farmed since people first lived there, and agriculture and fishing must have been the mainstays of the island economy for most of its history.  During the 1820s the island was divided into crofts, and crofting continued until the 1960s when the island was taken out of crofting tenure. It would have been predominantly used for cattle and sheep grazing, with some limited arable the southern end near the main settlement.

Flour Mill

A flour mill was operated between 1939 and 1948 on the old herring station site.  Wheat was imported by ship, and flour supplied to bakeries across the north.  Most of the mill workforce were brought by ferry from Ardmair on a daily basis.

The last private owner was Mrs. Monica Goldsmith who ran the island for mainly conservation purposes. Only invited guests were allowed to land on the island. Mrs. Goldsmith ceased further sheep grazing in 1969 and a small herd of Highland cattle was maintained there until 1979. The island was then gifted to the R.S.P.B. who in turn passed it on to the Community Trust in 1999.

Since taking over responsibility for the island, the Trust has improved the landing jetty there and organised the construction of a car park and jetty on the mainland at Ardmair Bay. Two boats are kept by the Trust and used in the summer to ferry passengers to the island. There are four houses in reasonable condition on the island - the Croft House has been partially refurbished and is available for weekend use by Trust members. The Mill House is currently being painted and decorated by volunteers and will be used as a venue for various events. Already two weddings have taken place on the island. Another of the houses is currently being used to display photographs and artifacts from the island.

Members of the Trust have worked hard to compile folders of information including:

Extracts from Inland Revenue field books 1910; Isle Martin Census Records for the years 1841, 1851, 1861, 1871, 1881, 1891; Records of Baptisms & Marriages from Lochbroom Parish register 1810 - 1855; Extracts from Valuation rolls 1868 - 1948.

Photocopies are available from the Registered Office.

Our new booklet  - "An Introductory History of Isle Martin" -   is on sale at the Ceilidh Place Bookshop and the Ullapool Bookshop, Quay Street, Ullapool. Or by post. Send a cheque for £1.00 made payable to Isle Martin Trust to the registered office: 26 Argyle Street, Ullapool, IV26 2UB.