THROUGHOUT THE MEDIEVAL PERIOD, the Inner Hebrides (Scotland) were subject to continual societal change and varying degrees of upheaval. This was a society defined by familial allegiances and bound by the geographies of their local world. Its islands, however, were not peripheral places but were instead situated in a wider seascape, where maritime networks and communication facilitated trade and connectivity. By the 15th century the island of Colonsay was held by the MacDonalds and granted by them to the MacDuffies. The landscape and cultural practices of the MacDuffies were reflective of a wider, confident Gaelic society re-asserting itself from the late 15th century onwards. This minor clan did not build any significant castellated structure but did continue to provide patronage to the important monastic establishment on Oronsay. Theirs was a society built on historic memory, the commemoration of their warrior elite and maritime expertise. By the middle of the 16th century this was a place and society under threat from an expansionist Crown in Edinburgh and the ambitions of mainland families. The island community clearly perceived themselves to be under threat and retreated into the island’s uplands, where their houses are largely hidden. As the century closed the island clans became embroiled in decades of conflict which was to signal the end of the medieval Gaelic order.

中文翻译：

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赫布里底群岛的定居点和景观变化：中世纪晚期殖民地

在整个中世纪时期，内赫布里底群岛（苏格兰）经历了持续的社会变革和不同程度的动荡。这是一个由家族忠诚定义并受当地世界地理约束的社会。然而，它的岛屿不是外围地区，而是位于更广阔的海景中，海上网络和通信促进了贸易和连通性。到 15 世纪，科隆赛岛由麦克唐纳家族控制，并由他们授予麦克杜菲家族。MacDuffies 的景观和文化实践反映了一个更广泛、更自信的盖尔社会从 15 世纪后期开始重新确立自己的地位。这个小氏族没有建造任何重要的城堡建筑，但确实继续为奥伦赛岛上的重要修道院提供赞助。他们的社会建立在历史记忆之上，是为了纪念他们的战士精英和航海专业知识。到 16 世纪中叶，这个地方和社会受到爱丁堡扩张主义王室和大陆家庭野心的威胁。岛上的社区清楚地意识到自己受到威胁并撤退到岛上的高地，他们的房屋大部分都隐藏在那里。随着世纪的结束，岛上的氏族卷入了数十年的冲突，这标志着中世纪盖尔秩序的终结。岛上的社区清楚地意识到自己受到威胁并撤退到岛上的高地，他们的房屋大部分都隐藏在那里。随着世纪的结束，岛上的氏族卷入了数十年的冲突，这标志着中世纪盖尔秩序的终结。岛上的社区清楚地意识到自己受到威胁并撤退到岛上的高地，他们的房屋大部分都隐藏在那里。随着世纪的结束，岛上的氏族卷入了数十年的冲突，这标志着中世纪盖尔秩序的终结。