Baliscate - Past and Present

Baliscate was one of the early settlements before the village of Tobermory was created in 1788 by the British Fisheries Society which bought the estate from the Duke of Argyll.

The presence of standing stones at Baliscate suggest that the area has been populated for 4 thousand years.

The area appears on maps as early as 1654 and is named as Baleskat.  The name has been spelled as Baliscate, Balliscate, Baleskat and Balscait - the original meaning is unclear, it may be 'village of the skate' or 'scattered village'.

Evidence of Baliscate's importance during the 7th and 8th centuries has recently been rediscovered due to work initiated by the project 'Scotland's Rural Past'.  Further excavations by Channel 4's Time Team unearthed evidence of an ancient Christian chapel.  More information about what was found on Time Team's dig will be posted after the programme has been broadcast in January 2010.

Today Baliscate is a thriving enterprise.  Owners John & Hylda Marsh have established their self catering holiday accommodation business, Island Holiday Cottages, as well as John's craft business, Mull Stickmaker & Antler Designs.