Isle Martin Summer Isles

Island Experience

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Isle Martin: A Legacy of Faith and Industry

St. Martin, after whom the island takes its name, reputedly established a monastery here around 300–400 AD. Furthermore, a stone featuring a Latin triple cross—likely dating from 400–700 AD—remains on the island. This artifact almost certainly relates to the early Celtic church. In addition to these ancient sites, visitors can find a post-Reformation chapel and the ruins of an old street of houses alongside the original school. Meanwhile, the “new” school and several other houses stand near the current jetty.

The Foundations of the Island Economy

Agriculture and fishing served as the mainstays of the island economy for most of its history. Notably, Isle Martin functioned as a major centre for the fishing trade, complete with a curing station, well before the founding of Ullapool.

Later, the authorities lotted the island into crofts in 1831, and families continued crofting until the 1960s. While the residents predominantly used the land for cattle and sheep grazing, they maintained limited arable land at the southern end near the main settlement.

The Isle Martin Flour Mill: A Brief Industrial Era

Between 1939 and 1948, a flour mill operated on the site of the former herring station. During this period, the mill owners ferried most workers to the island daily, though they also constructed some housing to accommodate the staff.

The logistical operation relied heavily on the sea. Specifically, sailing ships carried wheat to an island wharf, and crews then transported the processed flour back to Ullapool. From there, workers distributed the product to bakeries across the north of Scotland. Every bag left the island with a distinct identity, as sacks were labelled “Isle Martin Flour Mills.”

However, this industrial chapter came to an abrupt end. After the mill closed, crews dismantled its buildings and wharves in 1948, leaving little evidence of the island’s brief role as a northern milling hub.

The island is a favourite stop over when sailing out from Ullapool where we keep our boat. There is a floating pontoon to make for an easy landing but the bay is a great anchorage for all but northerly winds.

The Ullapool community own the island and are making great inroads to breathing life back into the place. The buildings are looking better, the grass is well kept by the horses that swim over from the mainland for the summer. What’s more Isle martin has a café that serves great coffee and wonderful homemade cake.

Scotislands Neighbours:

Isle Ristol  Tanera Beg   Isle Martin   Tanera Mor  Fada Mor

Local Information: Accommodation Summer Isles Wiki

To know more about the island and plan a trip over see the Trust website www.islemartin.org