A LETTER FROM D. C. MACPHERSON
TO JULIET MACDONALD, 1879
Dunéideann,
Jan. 1, 1879.
Dear Miss Macdonald,
The other day, I took the liberty of sending you a "tree." You will see at a glance that the thing is neither correct nor complete. It may however suggest a form to you - unfortunately I cannot draw.
In 1394-8 Alexander 3rd son of lain nan Eilean (by Margaret d. of Rob. Il) is styled Lord of Loquabre. His son Angus is mentioned in the Song of the " Comhachag" as Angus after him, i.e. his successor. Donald Glas, son of Angus, is said to have been killed in battle with the MacDougalls of Lorn' about 1497. Mariot, Donald's sister, was married to Lochiel. Donald Glas himself was married to Lochiel's daughter.
The first branch of the tree, left hand - lain Aluinn macdhonaill mhic Alastair mhic Aonghais — ending with Bohenie 1878 (not late John), and Donull Ruadh 1845, are called " Sliochd Dhonuill." I marked Bella- Iseabail Ruadh, i.e. John Lom's granddaughter, who had his songs from his mouth. Those of John's that appear in Turner's collection, and others, were taken down from Bella by John Bàn of Keppoch. * He lent his MS to the Rev. Mr McDonald, Dalchoshnie's son. In 1807 he is said, in one of our MS, to have a large collection of songs. Turner & others got hold of them somehow & made a mess of them.
This McDon. was afterwards — Dr MacDonald, Fortingall. lain Aluinn gave up to the MacVurrichs, Badenoch, a poacher by name Donull-Ruadh-Beag, who hanged him on a tree above Torgulben. For this his clan would not recognise him as their chief; so they sent to Uist for another. In due time Godfrey came to the Braes. However the majority of the Braerians would not have him; so they called in Donald Glas who was succeeded by Ranald, styled by the author of the Comhachag "Raonall mac Dhonuill Ghlais, fear a fhuair foghlum gu deas." Some accounts say that this Raonall was father of Raonall Mór father of John Dubh your progenitor.
Beside John, Ranald Mór had, by McIntosh of Kyllechie's daughter, Alastair Bhoth-Fhloinn (Bolyne) and Ranald. You remember all about the " Battle of Bolyne." The Camerons made a raid on the MacKintosh and raised his creach. Allan Cameron = Ailein Beag Thom-a'-charraich, was at their head. When in Glenturret he sent a messenger to Ranald Mór who was badly with pleurisy, at Coille-Diamhain, the then seat of Keppoch, to tell him his father-in-law's creach was passing by, daring him to prevent the Camerons from passing. Alastair Bhoth-Floinn, his eldest, had a slight arrow wound on his foot & excused himself. So your Progenitor was sent (to meet them) at the head of the Braerians. Of course the Creach was taken from the Camerons. Allan Beag was killed at Clach-Ailein on the hill-side some two miles from Bolyne. Clach-Ailein is the boundary between the Mcintosh & Walker there. I went to see it in 1876. When John Dubh returned his father asked him what did he do with them.
•Chuir mi am fear mu dheireadh dhiubh thair Lochaidh," said John.
" Cha tillinn-sa gus an cuirinn clach 'us aol mu'n sroin (- imprisoning)," said his father. Alexander was rife with jealousy, and when John was on his way home he set a fierce hound after him. John knew his brother too well, so he killed the hound with his sword. John, as I said, followed the last of the Camerons to Gairlochy. When that Cameron got across he fixed an arrow at John, saying:
" Có dhiu's fhearr, an t-iubhar sin,
Na iubhar Loch-a-Tréig? "
Which yew arrow is the best,
Mine or the Loch Treig yew?”
John stooped himself & was missed; so he fires an arrow retorting —" Có dhiu's fhearr, an t-iubhar sin na 'n t-iubhar agad fhéin?" and the Cameron fell. Alexander was sent to a doctor at Kingussie where he was poisoned - his men did not like him. Ranald his brother succeeded him. They all took John Moydartach's part at Blar-léine (1545) which cost Ranald Mór & his son their heads in 1547. Ranald (gorach, who built Tigh nam fleadh in Eidear-loch, see Comhachag) was to be married to Braidalbane's daughter & to have a guid Tochar, but in the morning finding that his men were sent to the Barn, he was so indignant that he there and then left and on his way, brought Stuart of Appin's daughter with him. It was with this Ranald's mother the MacKintoshes, still in Bohuntin, came to the Braes. Ranald's son was Alastair-nan-Cleas (1574-1593) educated in Italy. He had several sons. Raonull og, died about 1621, Donald Glas, forfeited for rising with Montrose 1645, Alastair Buidhe, styled in 1650, Tutor of Keppoch, Donull Gorm Inveroy (a fiend incarnate), & I think, but am not certain, Donull Gorm Chlianaig. I have marked him on the tree as a son of Ranald og. Alastair-nan-Cleas had a brother Ranald Insh murdered at Achaderry by Ranald og; and a sister married to Strowan Robertson. Alastair-nan-Cleas's grandfather — Stuart was villainously murdered at Bun-Nevis, Fort William, by a Macarthur hence Tuagh bhèarnach Mhic-Artair — the notched Lochaber-axe of Macarthur — by order of Ranald of Keppoch . He sent some dozen of his men to " see him safely home!"
It was at this time the Stuarts came to Lochaber. They were the Keppoch " ensigns". They were called by the natives "na Dubh-shuilich"— the Black-eyed — a characteristic which still distinguishes that branch of them.
The last male of them was Ewen Stuart who married a daughter of Sandy Garva. There is a family of them in Corry veg Lochielside. Ranald og (1621) and his father took part in Cantyre's rebellion. He wrote a beautiful hand — we have one of his letters to King James VI. He is well known in history; so suffice it that he was married (?) five times. One of his wives was brought from Ireland, and by way of Tochar brought several natives of the Green Isle in her retinue. The Braerians never cared for them. They got Blaroar to them-selves and were buried behind the Chapel of Cille-Chaoraill.
With the exception of two families they emigrated in the end of last century.These two families are the Boyles in Bohuntin and the Burkes, Bettie's grandfather & granduncles. The Boyles retain their name but the Bourkes — " na Burcaich" are become MacDonalds. Angus Odhar was wounded above Killin; and as some of his men were about to take him home on their shoulders, his uncle Donall Gorm Inveroy forbade them, telling them to take care of the " spoil." So poor Angus was left in " Tigh-beag" Choire-Charmaic where the Campbells unceremoniously despatched him. Here also John Lom's father fell. This must have been before 1645, as Ranald Og’s brother Donald Glas was at Inverlochy. Angus Odhar's son was " Angus `Og" Progenitor of Achnancoichean. Donald had to leave the country — he was married to Miss Forrester of Kilbogie. His children were still under age in 1650 as Donald's brother is styled in Acts of Parliament “Tutor of Keppoch”. They were sent abroad to be educated. When they returned, Alexander the eldest, took possession. "And," says his uncle Alastair Buidhe the "Tutor," " what am I to have for my trouble?" " I consider the honour no small compensation," said the nephew. " Ma's ann mar sin a tha, bithidh cuimhne againn ort," said his uncle. This was ? the cause of the Keppoch murder. In mentioning " Blàr-leine " 1545, I forgot to say that it was then " Siol-Dhughaill " came to Inverlair. Alexander Ruadh's grandfather took Ranald Gallda's side. So he asks " Huntly," " What am I to do now? John Moydartach is now the man; I dare not return." " I see " said Gordon, "I will give you a home. So he gave him Inverlair, in these terms: " Cho fad's a bhios clach 'an Creag-an-fhithich, no boinne uisge a' ruith 'an Tréig." Alexander, son of Donald Glas, was Alastair Ruadh of Inverlair's foster son, so when he came to his possessions (?) he paid a visit to his Muime. Alastair Ruadh had a fever or pleurasy & confined to bed. In the course of conversation & congratulations, Keppoch asked a sight of the title-deeds (in the Braes, A' Choir-fhiu = the feu-deed). The poor woman exultingly produced it. Keppoch threw it into the fire. The old man said, " We shall remember you my good fellow." True to his word he held Keppoch's arms while the rest pierced him with the fatal dirk. After the murder (the paper was signed by the Keppoch only & Inverlair, below Bohuntin- Torran-nam-mionn, at the end of the foot-bridge) Alastair Buidhe set in — None of " Sliochd an tighe"s took part in the murder. Alastair Buidh(e) who was married to a d. of Bohuntin (A. Buidhe resided in Bohuntin Mór - Tom-an-tighe mhóir is still pointed out) had two sons Ailein Dearg + and Gilleasba-na-Ceapaich.
Gillesba was educated at a school at Forres, and when signing the paper for the murder known as A' Bhann-Dubh = the black-bond, he placed the pen between his big toe & second Do — to show his dexterity in penmanship — but in reality to avoid the " Law." There was, after A. Buidh(e)'s death, a funeral at Tulloch. A Campbell, Allan Dearg (the Keppoch's Foster father) had been tippling, and some one stole the Fatal dirk -- the very dirk that pierced Alastair - & he swore, whosoever did the action would be pierced by the same. Ailein Dearg came into the barn where they were assembled, and opening his breast, asked the infuriated foster-father if he would put it into that breast.
Without any explanation poor Campbell, to whom this dirk was presented by him, pierced Allan Dearg's heart, & he fell dead on the floor. Poor Campbell took to his heels but the thongs tying his trews giving way, he was seized by a party from Glenroy who were coming to the funeral. He was there and then hanged on a tree on Dail-churra, in Tullach, Archibald turning his face the other way to avoid the law. After this, say 1670 or so, the Campbells in the Braes,were always Keppoch's Leine-chrios = secretaries, appealed to Argyle for their kinsman. The then marquis saw through the difficulty, and offered every Campbell in the Braes a holding; their better parts would not hear of it so they are still in the Braes.
Then Gillesba stepped in. He married either a daughter of Letterfinlay or a McLeod, a dairymaid. (At Sheriff Muir 1715, Clanranald — Ailein Ruadh— said to Coll of Keppoch -" Falbh, a Cholla bhig, a mhic na banaraich,
agus thoir coinneamh don trup = Go, little Coll, son of the dairymaid, and meet the Horse." Coll answered —" Cha
téid, 'Ailein Ruaidh, a mhic na ban-striopaich, ach rach thus ' ann." Alastair Dubh interfered and said " Chan ann mar sin a bhitheas, agus thugar a thoil fhéin do Cholla"
— this was a better generalship, so Coll went & made the Horse " Face about ". Gilleasba na Ceapaich's mother was drowned on the river Roy, coming from Loch Treig.
She would not be advised, so of a winter day, after a thaw, she said -" Cha bhàth Ruaidh bheag mise idir"= Little Roy will not at all drown me. She wades with her horse & was drowned. About a twelve month after her body was found below Corrychollie House - Poll-Churra; so Gilleaspa attended the wakes while the father of his mother was being wedded to a daughter of Letterfinlay. Gilleasba na Ceapaich had — Coll, who succeeded him in 1683, Ranald mor of Tirndris, Juliet the Poetess, and Lachlan of Strathmashie's grandmother. John Ban of Keppoch used to say that it was from this lady Mr L. Macpherson of Strathmashie who assisted J. MacPherson in his Ossian, had the gift of poetry.
Gillesba was troubled with scrophula. On showing it one day to John Lom for sympathy, the bard said, " Nothing compared to Alexander's fair skin." " You're never done with us, John." John gave him an appropriate answer.
Coll was married to Barbara McDonald of Sleat, the(y) had Alexander, Donald, Margaret. Margaret m.1st Fear-chros: After the ceremony Coll said to him -" You were before the man of Cross; you are now the man of Crosses":
"Bha thu roimhe 'ad fhear-Chros; tha thu nis 'ad fhear-chroisean." Poor Margaret was an uncommon specimen of mother Eve. She 2ndly married Gilleasba, son of Ranald Mor, Tirndris — had no family. She died, deserted by all, an old woman on the almost top of Fuaran-chaorach, Bohuntin.
I have said too much. Please return & make no notes of.
Na'm bu bheò na tha marbh, Cha bu bhuidhe dhomhsa.
Ged is ann don chloich ghlais ud thall tha mi ga innse.
Donull Mac Mhuirich.
(P.S.):
lain Dubh, your progenitor, was married to a daughter of Dunachton. Alexander was married to Glenco's daughter.
Dunachton settled the lands of Bohuntin on Alexander; but Dunachton (house) having been burnt, the title-deeds perished. This was the origin of that eternal feud which subsisted between Sliochd lain Duibh and Keppoch.
Ranald og (1621) determined to get rid of them. Alex. & Allan fled to Glenco. A Campbell, " Dughall na sgàirde"
betrayed them. The Keppochs got hold of them, tied sandbags to their necks and drowned them. One of them fled to the Gordons, Fochabers, but a Grant murdered him. Keppoch & his uncle Ranald Insh fled. Crossing the Moray firth they were overtaken — Ranald og's oar broke; but Dugald threw his own to him; so he got ashore. Ranald Insh was in the same boat with Dugald. So they were taken into custody - Dugald was hanged on the half-oar, and Ranald of Insh imprisoned in Inverness. Ranald asked as a favour the use of the branks instead of utensils; so he swam the Ness, & got a smith to undo the fetters and handcuffs. They afterwards tried the same dodge upon their grandson, but failed. John Dubh was not a Benedict. On a summer morning the Braerians attended mass at Killichurril. A foundling was found at the Chapel door. When John's wife arrived she said, "Who so be the child, the blanket is mine." So the child was named Gille-Callum = Malcolm; but from the fact of his being found at the Chapel door the natives called him Mac-an-Aoidhir = MacNair = Son of the parson. Angus Mac lain Duibh was but a child when his elder brothers were murdered; so this Gille-Callum takes Angus his half-brother, on his back all the way to Dunachton where he was brought up. On one occasion Gille-Callum, ancestor of Tulloch, On the bye, went to Strathspey. Of a Saturday night he lodged in beggar's clothes in a certain house. His host asked him whence he came. He told him he came from Lochaber.
"Quiet people there," said Grant, " I have a neighbour from that country there years & he never as yet disturbed me"; so he explained about the murder. In the morning, however, Gille-Callum said he was going to Church, and as he was not very well clad he would go first. When he came to his brother's grave he threw off the rags, & waited his host. It is needless to say that he despatched Grant.
