however, in daily use in place names, family names, ceremony and song.
The Celts brought with them the skills and techniques of smelting iron. They built many forts on hills and promontories, which suggest that times were unsettled; the hill fort on South Barrule was the most important. The Celts drove the Picts into the more barren areas of the island, but in time they mingled to become one people.
Around the fifth century Christianity arrived with monks from Ireland. On the footpath the sites of many ancient keeills (churches) tell of the conversion of the island. One of these early saints was St Machud or Maughold who, it was said, died in AD533 and was buried in Maughold churchyard. Scriptural scenes are depicted on some of the Celtic crosses in the collection at Maughold churchyard.
The Viking raiders first attacked Man in 798. The island became a ‘Viking lair’ from which attacks were launched on the neighbouring coasts. In 880 Harold Haarfager included Man in his Kingdom of the Southern Isles or Sudry, and united the Isle of Man politically.
King Orry, or Gorry, namely Godred Croven, after fighting against Harold at Stamford Bridge, conquered the Isle of Man. He established the Norse system of government as the national system, the Tynwald or Thingwald becoming the National Assembly (thing – an assembly; vollr – a field). The Millennium of Tynwald was celebrated in 1979 by the introduction of the long-distance footpath across the island named the Millennium Way.
The history of the Manx nation continued to be troubled. In 1266 the island was sold to Scotland for 4000 marks, Alexander II becoming Lord of Man. In 1313 Bruce attacked and captured the Scandinavian stronghold on the site where Castle Rushen now stands. It was sold yet again in 1392 to William le Scrope. He was executed by Henry IV and the island was given to Henry Percy, Duke of Northumberland. There were changes still to come as the Percy’s rebelled against Henry and in 1403 the island was given to John Stanley, ‘in perpetuity’, on the payment of homage and two falcons to him, and every future King of England, on his coronation day.
Celtic wheel cross at Maughold church
The Stanleys ruled as kings of Man for 350 years and a settled period of history began. Sir John Stanley, who was an absentee landlord and never visited the island, appointed a governor, who in turn appointed commissioners. On Lady Day 1423 a Tynwald court was summoned and the first Tynwald Manx ‘Magna Carta’ with written laws was recorded. So Tynwald and the House of Keys (the Scandinavian word keise meaning ‘elected’), presided over by the Governor, dealt with the legislation of the island.
Queen Elizabeth II became Lord of Man in I952. The island is still governed by its own parliament which meets, according to tradition, outdoors on 5 July, the Old Midsummer Day, on the Tynwald Hill at St John’s. The foundation laid by the early settlers has moulded the island’s way of life as you see it today and provided the means of legislation for the 1961 Rights of Way Act, the act which has completed Raad ny Foillan for us to enjoy.
RAA NY FOILLAN: THE WAY OF THE GULL
ROUTE 1
| Start | The Way of the Gull |
| Distance | 98 miles |
The Way of the Gull is officially 98 miles long, yet the route is very versatile. Sections can be done as single walks, each with their own unique character. Port St Mary to Port Erin is a superb walk, often with a fine sunset. Bradda Head, with an ascent of Milner’s Tower, makes a gentle stroll. Rambling on Lhaittee ny Beinnee and Cronk ny Arrey Laa makes a fine mountain day. The Ayres Reserve offers peaceful picnic spots for nature lovers.
STAGE 1
Douglas to Castletown
| Start | Douglas |
| Finish | Castletown |
| Distance | 15¾ miles + 4½ Langness |
| Maximum height | 300ft |
At first glance a 3-mile walk round the Marine Drive may not be your idea of an unspoilt coastal path, but do not judge hastily. In a few minutes Douglas has dropped below and the Marine Drive is revealed as a road halfway up a 200ft cliff where man has failed to tame the elements. The tarmac, sprinkled by rocks from above and sprayed by the sea from below, holds a few motorists in search of ‘a bit of fresh air’ and the Raad ny Foillan footpath. The impressive facade is merely a hollow memorial to man’s grand intentions to run a tramway. If you arrive on the overnight boat, the dawn over the sea, the rosy surf and the morning cry of the gulls will launch you on your way in worthy style.
The wide seascapes from the Marine Drive are rivalled by the position of this airy road, as it threads its way across the formidable cliff face until the cliffs lower and Port Soderick is reached.
A shady glen leads inland from Port Soderick to a stretch of just over a mile on country lanes. Return to the coast is by the fields where the clifftop path is narrow, overgrown in places, but sound underfoot. The unspoilt coastline gives a feeling of remoteness. It is rocky with high cliffs and deep zawns. Spectacular views lie in every direction. After Cass-ny-Hawin the cliffs lower to shelving rocks and the walking becomes easier as the path widens.
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