1831 - Fir-Thàileisg air a Lorg sa Bhealach-Bhàn – Chessmen Found

The precise circumstances of the chessmen’s discovery are shrouded in mystery.

Oral tradition tells that they tumbled out of a sandbank in Am Bealach Bàn, dislodged by the horns of a cow belonging to Malcolm Macleod, Calum na Sprot, of Pennydonald.

Scientific and historical analysis dates them as being made in the second half of the 12th century by Scandinavian craftsmen or women.

Varying accounts of how they came to be in Uig only add to their appeal. Eleven pieces are in the National Museum of Scotland and eighty two in the British Museum.