The MacDonalds of Ardnamurchan, also known as MacIain of Ardnamurchan, or Clan MacIan,[1] were a Scottish family and a branch of the larger Clan Donald.
Iain Sprangach MacDonald was also known as John the Bold. His brother, Angus Og Macdonald, Lord of the Isles, was a great ally of King Robert the Bruce. Ian's early affiliations, like those of his family, were serving Edward I (until Robert Bruce became King of Scots). His grant of Ardnamurchan likely came from his brother, Angus Og, as it was one of the lands granted to Angus Og by Robert I. The MacDonalds of Ardnamurchan became known as the MacIains.
15th century
Alexander MacDonald, the third chief of the MacIains, is believed to have been killed during the Battle of Harlaw in 1411. Alexander's son John led the clan at the Battle of Inverlochy (1431). After this he was awarded lands on the isles of Islay and Jura by Alexander Macdonald, Lord of the Isles.
The MacIains supported the MacDonald Lordship of the Isles until, in 1493, the fourth and last Lord of the Isles forfeited his title to King James IV. By 1494 the king had garrisoned and provisioned Dunaverty Castle. It is said that the MacDonalds led by Sir John MacDonald, whom the king had recently knighted, retook the castle before the king had even departed to Stirling, and that the dead body of the king's castle governor was hung over the castle walls in sight of the king and his departing entourage. Sir John Macdonald however was later captured by MacDonald (or MacIain) of Ardnamurchan. He was tried and hung on the Burgh Muir.
In 1497 Sir Alexander MacDonald of Lochalsh rebelled against the king and invaded the lands of Ross-shire, where he was defeated at the Battle of Drumchatt by the Clan Mackenzie.[4] Alexander MacDonald of Lochalsh escaped southwards amongst the Isles until he was caught on the Isle of Oronsay and put to death by MacIain of Ardnamurchan.[4]
Other treacherous deeds against MacDonald of Lochalsh and treachery which led to the execution of the chief of the Clan MacDonald of Dunnyveg and his son eventually led to the death of John MacIain at the hands of his avenging kinsmen in 1518.
The 8th chief of the MacDonalds or MacIains of Ardnamurchan led his clan in support of the Clan Macdonald of Clanranald against the Clan Fraser of Lovat in the Battle of the Shirts (Blàr na Léine in Scottish Gaelic) in 1544. It is said that only eight MacDonalds and five Frasers survived.
In the following year (1596) a renewal of the feud with Maclean was brought about by an unfortunate incident which resulted in the death of John Og MacIain, it appears, had been betrothed to Lochiel's daughter. His uncle Donald and he had not been on amicable terms for some time past owing to differences which had arisen between them regarding the possession of Sunart, to which Donald laid claim. Donald was, besides, presumptive heir to his nephew, and would, therefore, in the event of the latter dying without issue, succeed him as head of the family of Ardnamurchan. While preparations were being made for the celebration of the marriage of the young chieftain, and as he was returning from a visit to Lochiel, accompanied by a small retinue, he was attacked and slain by his uncle, who was lying in wait for him at a place in Ardnamurchan called ever since Faoghail Dhomnuill Chonulluich (Donald Macdonald's Ford). On hearing of Maclain's death, Alan Cameron of Lochiel vowed vengeance on the murderer, who immediately after committing the crime took refuge in Mull, and put himself under the protection of Lachlan Mor of Duart. Donald Maclain had no difficulty in persuading Lachlan Mor to help him against the Camerons and the adherents of the late chieftain. Lochiel had already pursued him to the Sound of Mull. Lachlan Mor accordingly collected a force of 220 men, and sent his eldest son, Hector, and Donald Maclain, at their head to the mainland. The Camerons and the Maclains met them in Morvern at a place in Black Glen ever since called Leac-nan-Saighead (Rock of the Arrows), where a bloody conflict resulted in the total defeat of the Macleans, and the death of Donald Maclain. The local traditional account of the death of Donald Maclain is to the effect that one of the Clan Cameron, observing him "uplifting his helmet, instantly bent his bow, took aim, and drove his arrow into Maclain's head, pinioning his hand, which at that time was passing over his forehead, to his skull. He fell, but for a moment regaining his strength he arose and expressed a desire, it is feared a treacherous one, to deliver his sword to Lochiel. But the last spark of life was fast expiring. He clenched the huge weapon, and, in the ire of death, transfixed it to the hilt in the opposite bank, and fell on it to rise no more." [5]
17th century to present
By 1618 the MacDonalds or MacIains of Ardnamurchan had lost their lands through duplicity of the Clan Campbell. The fortunes of the clan declined and they were forced to go elsewhere. Many settled in Moidart under the Clan Macdonald of Clanranald whilst others migrated east to Badenoch, and others found new homes in the Scottish Lowlands. Many MacIains settled in Northern Ireland during the Ulster Plantations, with many of these travelling to the Americas. Later in the 1800s, MacIains commonly settled in Australia and New Zealand. Many MacIain derivatives like "McKain" and "McKean", can also be plentifully found all over Scotland in Birth and Marriage records from the 1600s to the present. In recent years, there has been renewed interest in clan MacIain identity, especially in the diaspora residing in the United States. Although scattered, clan MacIain still has many thousands of descendants worldwide.[6]
Castles
Mingary Castle, historic seat of the chiefs of Clan MacIain of Ardnamurchan
Mingary Castle, located to the east of Kilchoan, on the Ardnamurchan peninsula, dates from the thirteenth century and was probably originally built by the clan MacDougall. The land of Ardnamurchan was given to the MacDonalds for their service in the armies of Robert the Bruce. Mingary was the residence of the MacIain chiefs and stronghold of the clan. Legend says that a remnant of the Spanish Armada helped the rival Clan MacLean to besiege the castle of their old enemies in 1588. The MacLeans saw an opportunity and agreed to help the Spanish captain if he would help them attack their old enemies, the MacIains of Mingary. The Spanish captain had little choice but to agree, and together the Spanish and the MacLeans sailed across the Sound of Mull and attacked Mingary. The attack failed, but even today the small inlet below the castle is known as Port nan Spainteach, or Port of the Spaniards.[7]
Dunyvaig Castle, on the Isle of Islay, Argyll was originally held by the MacDonalds but was given to the MacIains of Ardnamurchan at the end of the fifteenth century.[1] The property was later leased back to the MacDonalds and then passed to the Campbells.[1]
Clan Septs
Septs of Clan MacDonald of Ardnamurchan include the following. Other branches of the Clan MacDonald have different septs. These surnames are all anglicized forms of the gaelic "MacIain", meaning "Son of John".
1 2 3 4 5 Coventry, Martin (2008). Castles of the Clans: The Strongholds and Seats of 750 Scottish Families and Clans. Musselburgh: Goblinshead. p.374. ISBN978-1-899874-36-1.
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Lord of the Isles or King of the Isles (Scottish Gaelic: Triath nan Eilean or Rìgh Innse Gall; Latin: Dominus Insularum) is a title of nobility in the Baronage of Scotland with historical roots that go back beyond the Kingdom of Scotland. It began with Somerled in the 12th century and thereafter the title was held by a series of his descendants, the Norse-Gaelic rulers of the Isle of Man and Argyll and the islands of Scotland in the Middle Ages. They wielded sea-power with fleets of galleys (birlinns). Although they were, at times, nominal vassals of the kings of Norway, Ireland, or Scotland, the island chiefs remained functionally independent for many centuries. Their territory included much of Argyll, the Isles of Arran, Bute, Islay, the Isle of Man, Hebrides, Knoydart, Ardnamurchan, and the Kintyre peninsula. At their height they were the greatest landowners and most powerful lords after the kings of England and Scotland.
Clan Donald, also known as Clan MacDonald or Clan Mc Donald, is a Highland Scottish clan and one of the largest Scottish clans. The Lord Lyon King of Arms, the Scottish official with responsibility for regulating heraldry in that country, issuing new grants of coats of arms, and serving as the judge of the Court of the Lord Lyon, recognises under Scottish law the High Chief of Clan Donald. Historically the chiefs of the Clan Donald held the title of Lord of the Isles until 1493 and two of those chiefs also held the title of Earl of Ross until 1476.
Clan MacDonell of Glengarry, also known as Clan Ranald of Knoydart & Glengarry is a Highland Scottish clan and is a branch of the larger Clan Donald. The clan takes its name from River Garry where the river Garry runs eastwards through Loch Garry to join the Great Glen about 16 miles (25 km) north of Fort William, Highland. The progenitor of the MacDonells of Glengarry is Reginald, 4th great-grandson of the warrior Somerled.
Mingary Castle, also known as Mingarry Castle, is a castle situated one mile southeast of the small village of Kilchoan in Lochaber, Scotland. Nestled on ridge of rock overlooking the sea, it was considered a strategically important site in terms of communication with overseas areas and as an entranceway to the Sound of Mull. Mingary is roughly hexagonal in shape with nine-foot-thick walls, thicker on the seaward side. The remains of the castle are protected as a category A listed building.
Clan Cameron is a West Highland Scottish clan, with one main branch Lochiel, and numerous cadet branches. The Clan Cameron lands are in Lochaber, and within their lands lies Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in the British Isles. The Chief of the clan is customarily referred to as simply "Lochiel".
Clan MacKinnon is a Highland Scottish clan from the islands of Mull and Skye, in the Inner Hebrides.
Clan Macdonald of Clanranald, also known as Clan Ranald, is a Highland Scottish clan and a branch of Clan Donald, one of the largest Scottish clans. The founder of the Macdonalds of Clanranald is Reginald, 4th great-grandson of Somerled. The Macdonalds of Clanranald descend from Reginald's elder son Allan and the MacDonells of Glengarry descend from his younger son Donald.
Clan MacDonald of Keppoch, also known as Clan MacDonellof Keppoch or Clan Ranald of Lochaber, is a Highland Scottish clan and a branch of Clan Donald. The progenitor of the clan is Alistair Carrach MacDonald, 4th great-grandson of the warrior Somerled. The clan chief is traditionally designated as the "Son of Ranald's son".
The Clan MacDonald of Lochalsh was a Scottish family and a branch of the larger Clan Donald.
The MacDonalds of Glencoe, also known as Clann Iain Abrach, is a Highland Scottish clan and a branch of the larger Clan Donald. Named after Glen Coe, the MacDonalds lived there from the early 14th century, until the glen was largely abandoned during the Highland Clearances of the late 18th century.
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Alexander of Islay or Alexander MacDonald was a medieval Scottish nobleman who succeeded his father Domhnall of Islay as Lord of the Isles (1423–1449), later rising to the rank of Earl of Ross (1436–49). His lively career, especially before he attained the earldom of Ross, led Hugh MacDonald, the 17th century author of History of the MacDonalds, to commemorate him as "a man born to much trouble all his lifetime". Alexander allied himself with King James I of Scotland against the power of the Albany Stewarts in 1425 but, once the Albany Stewarts were out of the way, Alexander quickly found himself at odds with the new king. War with King James would initially prove Alexander's undoing, and would see the King's power in Scotland greatly increased, but at the Battle of Inverlochy Alexander's army prevailed against the forces of the King. Alexander died in 1449, having greatly extended his family's landed wealth and power. He was buried, not in the Isles of his ancestors, but at Fortrose Cathedral in his mainland Earldom of Ross.
The MacDonnells of Antrim, also known as the MacDonnells of the Glens, are a branch in Ireland of the Scottish-based Clan Donald. Initially part of Clan MacDonald of Dunnyveg, the MacDonnells of Antrim became their own branch in 1558 when Somhairle Buidhe MacDonnell obtained the lordship of the territory in Ireland from James MacDonald, 6th chief of the Clan MacDonald of Dunnyveg.
Dunyvaig Castle is located on the south side of Islay, in Argyll, Scotland, on the shore of Lagavulin Bay, 4 kilometres from Port Ellen. The castle was once a naval base of the Lord of the Isles, chiefs of Clan Donald. It was held by the chiefs of the Clan MacDonald of Dunnyveg.
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Angus MacDonald, 8th of Dunnyveg was the Chief of Clan MacDonald of Dunnyveg.
Iain Sprangach MacDonald was a younger son of Angus Mor of Islay, and founder of Clan MacDonald of Ardnamurchan.
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