The history of Tiree begins long before written records. Archaeological evidence indicates that humans have occupied the island since at least the Neolithic period, around 4000–2500 BCE.

Neolithic and Bronze Age

During the Neolithic era, communities on Tiree engaged in farming, fishing, and hunting, leaving behind numerous archaeological sites that have been discovered and studied by researchers. These include standing stones, burial cairns, and remnants of ancient settlements.

One prominent site is the Torran standing stones, which are among the largest stone circles in Scotland. These monuments, constructed from large sandstone pillars, are believed to have served ceremonial or religious functions. Their precise purpose remains a mystery, but they underline the island’s significance to early inhabitants.

Bronze Age artifacts such as pottery shards, tools, and burial cairns have also been found, illustrating continuity in settlement and cultural development. The people of the Bronze Age Tiree were skilled in metalwork and seafaring, utilizing the island’s coastal resources.

Iron Age and Early Fortifications

By the Iron Age (around 800 BCE to 500 CE), Tiree saw the construction of defensive structures such as brochs and duns (fortified homesteads). These circular stone towers and settlements provided protection from raiders and rival clans, a feature common in Hebridean and Scottish island societies.

Archaeological remains suggest that Iron Age communities on Tiree had complex social structures and maintained trade links with other parts of Scotland and beyond. The presence of imported goods such as Roman artifacts implies that Tiree was not an isolated outpost but part of wider Atlantic networks. shutdown123