But this is based only on information provided in 1851 that the island had been the refuge of a priest "in the time of Knox".

[5] Nicolson (2002) has concluded that this tradition is mistaken, but has speculated that Eilean Mhuire may instead have been a hermitage in pre-Norse times.

[6] (And there was in fact a chapel on nearby Eilean an Taighe, possibly devoted to the Virgin Mary.

)[7][8] In 1549, Donald Monro, then Dean of the Isles, wrote that Eilean Mhuire was: callit Senchastle by the Eriche, that is the alde castle ile in the Englishe, an strenthe, full of corne and grassinge, full of wyld fowls nests, and verey guid for fishing.

[9][Note 1]Today, Seann Chaisteal (“old castle”) is the name of the flat-topped tidal islet at the south-eastern extremity of Eilean Mhuire.