Argyll's historical importance goes back well over 1,500 years. As the centre of the kingdom of Dalriada the area was of seminal importance in terms of Gaelic culture, and was also of extreme significance in the spread of Celtic Christianity. Geographically it is a region of wild coastline, open moorland and rugged mountains separated by deep lochs and fast flowing rivers, with little cultivable ground. There are considerable mineral resources and the forests have always been coveted by Lowlanders, but lines of communication are difficult and were, until recently, often dangerous. Even so, for 2,000 years and more people have struggled to make a living here and one of the questions this book address is how, and why.