The Lee MacLellan Family Story
Craignish: Home Base of the MacLellans
Craignish, or more correctly Craignish Parish, could be considered home base for our MacLellans because the number of our ancestors who started their lives there.
Craignish is located on Loch Craignish in the general area of the modern town of Aardfern. It is on the eastern side of the Aardfern peninsula, which dates back to the 7th century, when Celtic missionaries moved into the area.
The Vikings moved into the area in the late 8th century, and fought battles that are commemorated by cairns on the west coast of the peninsula. The Danish King Olaf fought the Scots, but was defeated. A cairn called "The Danish King's Grave" marks the spot.
My son and daughter sitting on a stone in the back of the old Craignish church. They are looking eastward to the Loch of Craignish.
The craggy hills of Aardfern. This poor farm land is likely the reason our MacLellans moved south-east to the mainland and the North Knapdale area.
Looking west from the top of Aardfern peninsula. The large island in the distance is Scarba, which has a dangerous whirlpool at its southern end in the Gulf of Corryvreckan
Cruises in the Craignish area often spot dolphins.
This is an aerial view of the Aardfern peninsula, and the smaller Craignish peninsula to the left. In the lower right is the Aardfern yacht club. Sailing is popular in the area.