A Brief History of the Inn...
Ballygrant Inn was formely known as Robolls and was at one time a small farm. The name Robolls goes back far in history and comes from the old Norse language. It was originally the name given to an area on the shore of Loch Finlaggan; over time this area moved and included the hill and surrounding fields, this included the land the farm was built on.
There is evidence that there has been an Inn at Robolls since the early 1700's. In the local graveyard at kilmeny, is the grave of Andrew McLean, Innkeeper of Robolls, who died in April 1748 at the age of 48.
The original and main part of the Inn building, formely Robolls farm, was built sometime around 1851. Robolls was from 1869 the house of the manager of the Islay Mining Company. The Islay Mining Company had a number of lead mines in the Ballygrant area and Finlaggan.
Loch Finlaggan, just over the hill from Robolls, where the Lords of the Isles ruled the Western seaboard for some 500 years.Finlaggan is an important archaeological and historical site. Today there is a visitor centre at Finlaggan, which has a wealth of information and you can view findings from the archaelogical digs held at Finlaggan.
Dun Bhoraraig, Islay's only Iron Age broch overlooks the Sound of Islay and is another important site of archaeological interest. The Dun is within walking distance from the Inn and offers panoramic views of the Sound, north to Colonsay and Mull and south to Kintyre and the Arran hills and overshadowded by the Paps of Jura, just across the water.
Thanks to Dr David Caldwell, Nigel Ruckley and Roger McWee for helping with this information.
