Calgary derives its name from the Gallic – meadow beside the bay. Calgary in Canada takes its name from here, given to it by Colonel James Macleod, of the Mounties, in 1876,after he returned from staying in Calgary Castle on a visit to Scotland.

Calgary Castle was built in 1817 by captain Alan MacAskill who retired here. He built the gothic, gentrified and castellated front part but he added it on to the rear quarter which was an 18^th.century traditional laird’s house built in the 1780’s. This in turn was built on the site of an earlier house. The library wing was built in the 1870’s.

Captain MacAskill is buried, along with his lady friend, in the Mausoleum behind and above the woodshed in the garden.

Calgary used to be a large estate directly accessed only by the sea. Much of the soil in the walled garden was brought in as ballast in the holds of ships coming in to the bay from Ireland. The pier, halfway along the bay on the right, was built from Iona marble and was used to take sheep to and from the grazing on the Treshnish Islands. Other ships, such as the colliers, used to beach themselves to offload their cargoes.

Calgary did not escape the clearances but they appeared to have been comparatively civilised by the standards of the time. The deserted village of Inivea can be seen on the right hand side of the bay and is a lovely walk up the hill there. (no dogs permitted)

The house was owned by keen gardeners after the war who planted over 150 species of rhododendron and a number of exotic plants, particularly Chilean, such as the Chilean Beech which can be seen from the kitchen window. (horizontal branches which then rise vertically ).