These islands are at the northern extremity of the Treshnish Isles at the mouth of Loch Tuath, Mull north of Iona.
[1] The castle, which may have begun its existence as a Viking fortress called Kiarnaborg, has been held by a variety of individuals since its first recorded appearance in 1249.
[1] It is mentioned in the 13th century Hákonar saga Hákonarsonar as the property of an island king of the family of Somerled, demanded of him by Alexander III of Scotland.
[3] The Gazetteer for Scotland reports that the castle's owner at least from 1249 to 1269 was Clan MacDougall,[1] descendants of Somerled through his son Dubgall.
[1] The fire likely caused the demise of a number of manuscripts that had been conveyed to the castle for safety from Iona after the 1561 Act calling for the destruction of "Monuments of Idolatry".