Islay is an island in Argyll, Scotland, nicknamed "the Queen of the Hebrides". It was known to the Romans as Epidion, and it became known to the Gaels as Ilea. By the 6th century, Islay had become a part of Dal Riata, but the 9th century saw the arrival of Scandinavian settlers and the destruction of Dal Riata amid the Viking invasions of Scotland. Norse settlers established the Kingdom of the Isles, and many of Islay's place names have Norse or Norse-Gael origins. The Norse-Gael ruler Somerled's descendants formed the Clans MacDonald, MacRuari, and the MacDougalls, and, during the Wars of Scottish Independence, the MacDonalds and MacRuaris backed Robert Bruce, while the MacDougalls backed John Balliol. In 1493, John of Islay, Earl of Ross was forced to surrender his territories to King James IV of Scotland as recompense for his raid on Ross, and Islay came under direct Scottish rule. By 2013, Islay had a population of 3,228, and Bowmore served as its capital, while Port Ellen was its largest settlement.