Part 1

Produced by The Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive)

THE SCOTTISH JOURNAL OF _Topography, Antiquities, Traditions,_

&c. &c.

No. 22. Edinburgh, Saturday, January 29, 1848. Price 1½d.

SOME PARTICULARS REGARDING THE FAMILY OF INVERNAHYLE.

COPIED FROM A MANUSCRIPT IN THE POSSESSION OF DR THOMSON, LATE OF APPIN, BY JOSEPH TRAIN.

ALEXANDER, the first Invernahyle, was son to Allan Stewart, third Laird of Appin. He married Margaret Macdonald, daughter of Donald Macdonald of Moidart, commonly called _Donul an Lochan_.[1] He had only one child, Donald, who succeeded him. Alexander, it would appear, lived in Island Stalker. He rose early on a summer morning, and stepped over to the _Nan Gall_,[2] which lies contiguous. He had in his hand a Lochaber axe, which at that period was frequently used instead of the sword. He reclined upon a verdant spot of the isle, with his Lochaber axe laid carelessly by him. A deadly feud existed at that time between his family and that of Dunstaffnage. A brother of Dunstaffnage, called _Cailen Uaine_,[3] arrived at the island with his barge, and a number of men to assist him in executing his bloody purpose. He landed unperceived by Alexander. Upon being observed, he assumed the mask of friendship, and was about to salute him; but, seeing Alexander defenceless, he cast his eye on the axe, which still lay upon the ground, and eager to be possessed of that which, if in the hands of the other, might make him pay dear for his expedition, he hastily grasped it, expressing himself thus—“Sma an tua so Alasdair na on bioda leor sauich innte.”[4] Alexander quickly replied—“Bheil duil agad nach eil sin innte,”[5] and also laid hold of the axe, being fully sensible of the spirit of Colin’s remark. During the struggle, Colin’s men surrounded Alexander, and basely murdered him. Donald, his infant son, was suckled by Morag, a woman from Moidart, and wife to _Rab a Pheti_, the smith of that district. Colin, foreseeing that the black deed he had committed might not pass unrevenged, was very anxious to destroy the child. In this, however, he was disappointed by the prudence and activity of the faithful nurse, who, with a strength of attachment truly valuable, understanding what had happened, regardless of her own safety, fled away with the child to her own country. Having informed her husband of the circumstances, they agreed to bring up the child as if he was their own, and to keep the secret of his parentage concealed from the world, even from himself, till a proper time arrived for disclosing it.

Donald was accordingly educated in the family of Rab a Pheti, the blacksmith. When he acquired some strength, he was often called to assist his supposed father in carrying on his trade. Being of a strong, athletic make, he performed every task proposed to him with ease, little thinking he had any right to be otherwise employed. One day, when about eighteen years of age, it being his turn to work in the smithy, he took hold of a large hammer, which required the strength of any ordinary man to wield with both hands, and, of course, deemed too unweildly for a stripling of his age, yet he found so little difficulty in managing it, that he wrought it with one hand; and not satisfied with this exertion, he took another hammer of the same size in his other hand, and beat away with both alternately, without much apparent exertion. His supposed father, Rab a Pheti, seeing this, gave up his work and went to the faithful nurse to tell what he had seen. This honest couple, who had as much affection for Donald as though he had been their own child, came to the resolution of disclosing to him the secret they had so long kept of his birth and parentage. Donald was called, and the mournful tale of his father’s death, and the risk he ran of sharing the same fate, was circumstantially laid before him. If we can judge by his future actions, we may conclude that he listened to the mournful story with strong emotions. The smith took him in his arms and embraced him. “Your education,” he said, “has been necessarily obscure, but I trust the blood that runs in your veins, and the spirit of your fathers, will ever inspire your conduct and direct your steps.” The smith then presented him with a sword, tempered with all the art of his trade, praying it might be the means of clearing his way through difficulties, and extricating him from every danger. Donald received it as a valuable token of love. Nor did he allow it long to remain peaceful in its scabbard. Previous to his setting out for Appin, he, by the advice of his foster-mother, Morag, waited on his mother’s brother, Macdonald of Moidart, who gave him a very warm and hearty reception, and offered freely to support him with his interest and influence in recovering his paternal property, which had been taken back to the family, on the supposition of his death when a child.[6]

Donald, upon coming to Appin, and his history being made public, got the name of _Donul nan Ord_,[7] by which he was known ever after. Nature was very kind to Donald. He had ready wit, a quick invention, an excellent address, an uncommon degree of firmness of mind, strength of body, and activity. Those qualities rendered him a fit leader of a chosen band in those restless and warlike times. He soon became a terror to the enemies of his clan and of his friends. His first step was to kill _Cailen Uaine_,[8] the murderer of his father. Nor did he stop till he had destroyed nine other gentlemen of the family of Dunstaffnage. This cost Donald several skirmishes; but his attacks were so bold, and so well managed, that he was always successful. Argyle soon came to be interested in the distress that Donald was bringing on his clan, and employed several parties to cut him off, but in vain. Donald seeing Argyle’s intention, instead of being intimidated, penetrated with his chosen band into the heart of Argyle’s country, spoiled his tenants, carrying away a considerable booty from the sides of Lochow, which at that time gave a title to the chief of the clan.

There is still handed down a little roundlet, which narrates this transaction—

“Donal nan Ord, dalt a gothain Alleagan nan luarach leabhair, Thog thu creach o’ thaogh Locho, Nach dean Mhac Callen a thoghadh, Na Mhac, na Earo na Otha.”[9]

Argyle, much enraged at the affront offered him by Donald, began to think of serious revenge, by raising his whole clan and followers to destroy him; but wisely seeing that this could not be done without some noise, and aware that Donald might be supported by his mother’s powerful friends, and also by the Camerons, set on foot a negotiation with the Laird of Appin, to get Donald to make restitution and be peaceful. The result was, that Appin, and his other friends, insisted with Donald that he should come to terms with Argyle, threatening, if he did not comply, to leave him to his fate. Donald, unwilling to split with his friends, and thinking that he had done enough in revenging his father’s death, complied, and actually went to Inverary with a single attendant, to hold a conference with Argyle, at his own place, and among his numerous friends. Argyle, who was a man of the world, conceived that, from Donald’s rusticity, he could easily, by persuasion, get him into a scrape that might prove fatal to him. But Donald, though he agreed all at once to the terms proposed, got himself easily extricated. Upon Donald’s reaching Inverary, he met Argyle in the fields, and is said to have accosted him thus—

“A Mhic Callen griomach ghlais, Is beag an hachd a thagad dhiom, Is nar a Phillis mi air mais Mas a mo a thaghain dhiot.”[10]

In the course of conversation, it would appear that Donald not unfrequently indulged in a loud hoarse laugh—a habit which some of his descendants were noted for, as far down as the eighth generation. To rally Donald a little upon this, Argyle desired him to look at a rock in a hill above Ardkinglass, then in their view, which resembles a man’s face reclined backwards, the mouth being considerably expanded. He asked if he knew the name that rock went by. Donald answered in the negative. Argyle then told him it was _Gaire Granda_.[11] Donald perceiving the allusion, and, with his other qualifications, being no mean poet, replied off hand—

“Gaire Granda as ainm don Chreig, Is fanaidh i mar sin a ghna; Gheabh a leitheid agad fein, Nan sealadh tu nan eadan do mhna.”[12]

When at length they came to talk of business, the terms upon which Argyle offered peace were, that Donald should raise a hership in Moidart, and another in Athole, thinking probably that he would be cut off in these attempts; or if successful against such powerful people, that his disgrace would be less in what was done to his own lands. Donald readily agreed to the terms. He set out openly for Moidart, discovered to his uncle the engagement he had come under, and asked his advice. His uncle told him that the people of certain farms in that neighbourhood having offended him, to go and spoil them; that he, to save appearance, when it came to his knowledge, should pursue him to retake the spoil; but should not be in such haste that Donald ran any risk of being overtaken. Donald did so; carried off his spoil; set fire to two or three farms, and got safe off. The affair made a great noise, and reached Argyle’s ears, who was astonished at Donald’s rashness. He went next to Athole, and played the same card with equal success; came back to Argyle, and a peace was concluded, though not with much cordiality upon either side.

There is a well-known anecdote, which we cannot pass over in silence. Donald was, on a time, returning from an expedition into Stirlingshire, and, passing through Monteith, called at a tenant’s house, where they were preparing a wedding dinner. The Earl of Monteith was at the marriage, and was to partake of the dinner. Donald and his men were hungry, and asked for a supply of meat, which being refused, they were so unpolite as step in and eat up the whole dinner. Upon the Earl’s arrival with the marriage people, they were enraged at the affront put upon them. They pursued Donald, and soon came up with him. They called to him to halt, which he did, and one of the Earl’s men cried out ironically to Donald and his men, alluding, no doubt, to the quantity of broth they had consumed—

“Stuarticdh bhuidh nan tapan, A bheiradh glag air a chal.”[13]

One of Donald’s men, with great coolness, drawing an arrow out of his quiver, replies—

“Ma tha’n tapan again mar dhuchas, Is du dhuin gun tarin sin tarsid.”[14]

And with this took his aim at the Monteith man, and shot him through the heart. An engagement ensued betwixt the parties, in which the Earl was killed, and a number of his followers.

Donald was twice married; first to M. Stewart, daughter of John Stewart of Bun Rannock, _alias_ Jan MacRoibeart. By her he had four sons, 1. Alexander, who had the misfortune at an early period to be afflicted with the stone. Breadalbane took a particular concern in the young man. He carried him to Taymouth, and got the most able medical assistance for him. The operation of lithotomy was performed upon him, but he did not long survive it. 2. Duncan, who succeeded him. 3. Allan, of whom the present Laird of Ballechelish. 4. John, commonly called John Du MacDhonuil. He had the lands of Littershuna. He had a daughter, who was married to Archibald Campbell, _alias_ Gillesbuegdie, of whom the present Achaladair is descended. Donald married, secondly, —— Campbell, second daughter of John Gorm of Lochnell, and widow of James nan Gleann. By her, he had a daughter who was married to Macdonnell of Achatriachatan, of whom the present Laird of Achatriachatan is descended. During Donald’s life the feud that subsisted between him and the family of Dunstaffnage did not entirely subside. It gave much trouble and uneasiness to the friends of both parties. It was very prudently concluded, in order to put a final end to it, that Duncan should pay his addresses to a daughter of Dunstaffnage, which he did with success. This was carried on unknown to Donald, and when the marriage took place, he was in very bad blood with his son. It cost the friends a great deal of work to get him reconciled to him. It was brought about so far, that he gave him the farm of Inverfolla to live in with his wife. Duncan had the misfortune soon afterwards to incur his father’s displeasure, by what _Donald nan Ord_ looked upon as a greater crime than even marrying Miss Campbell. It was this: Duncan being a good, honest, domestic man, and the world around him being in peace and quietness, thought fit to amuse himself with husbandry, which accorded not with the warlike spirit of Donald. He thought it much beneath the dignity of a gentleman, and frequently expressed his disgust. One day as he was walking upon the green of Invernahyle, he looked across the river, and saw a number of his followers with spades preparing a piece of ground for sowing seed. He thought to himself that he was wont to give a different sort of employment to his adherents, and that Duncan had no spirit. Meanwhile, Duncan came up to his men—took a spade in his hand, and began to work along with them. This was too much for the old gentleman to bear, and he marched in wrath across to Inverfolla. Though many years had impaired his strength, yet rage gave vigour to his steps. He was observed approaching. The fury of his looks struck terror around him. Duncan was advised to fly from the impending storm. The incensed hero looked for his degenerate son. Where is he? He is gone towards the house. Towards the house marched Donald, inquired and searched, but could not find the object of his wrath. At length he thought he found him under the bedclothes, in his own bed. He could contain himself no longer. He drew his hanger, and made a deadly stroke at the supposed Duncan. Though the arm was old, it had not wholly lost its strength. He cut through all the bed-clothes, and made a large gash—in the bolster! His rage by degrees abated, and he returned home in calmness.

Donald’s mother was left a widow when young. She married Maclean of Inverscadale, of whom the present Inverscadale.

DUNCAN, the third Invernahyle, married —— Campbell, daughter of Campbell of Dunstaffnage, by whom he had three sons: 1. Alexander, who succeeded him; 2. Dugald; 3. Allan.

ALEXANDER, the fourth Invernahyle, married —— Stewart, only daughter of Duncan Stewart, fifth Laird of Appin, and had issue twelve sons, who all came to the age of men, and went all one Sabbath to the church, along with their father, in kilted plaids and armed. Their names, so far as can be recollected, were in the following order: Donald, James, John Dhu, John More, George, Dugald, William, Alexander, Duncan and Allan.

DONALD, the fifth Invernahyle, was married to Margaret Campbell, daughter to the Laird of Lochnell, and had issue four sons and two daughters: 1. Alexander, who succeeded him; 2. Duncan, of whom Strathgarry; 3. Donald, married to Margaret Stewart, daughter to Alexander Stewart of Acharn, issue, sons; 4. Allan, married to Margaret Campbell, daughter to John Campbell of Achaoran, issue, sons. His oldest daughter, Margaret, married Donald Campbell of Greenyards, Secretary to the Bank of Scotland. The second daughter, Anne, married Maccalman of Arivian, and had issue.

ALEXANDER, the sixth Invernahyle, married Mary Macdonnell, daughter to Macdonnell of Fersid, by whom he had issue, Duncan, who succeeded him, and a daughter, Catharine, who was married to James Stewart in Ardnamurchan. But Alexander was first married to Isabel Campbell, daughter of John Campbell of Kirktown, in Mucharn, by whom he had two daughters: 1. Anne, married to Dugald Stewart of Achnacon, of whom the present Achnacon; 2. Margaret, married to Duncan Stewart, son to Innishchaorach.

DUNCAN, the seventh Invernahyle, was bred to the law in Edinburgh, where he had an opportunity of cultivating a fine natural taste for music, to the enjoyment of which he very much devoted himself in his latter days. He married, when young, Mary Campbell, daughter of Alexander Campbell of Barcaldine, and by her had a numerous offspring, of whom there came to maturity—1. Alexander, the present Invernahyle, who is married to Catharine Stewart, daughter to Robert Stewart of Appin, and has issue; 2. John, who died while at his education, and was buried at the church of Kilmadock, in Perthshire; 3. Dugald was bred to the Church, but preferred going abroad, to push his fortune, and after being successful for some time in Jamaica was robbed by a partner. He went to America, and died there; 4. Robert, who was bred a wine merchant in Leith, died abroad; 5. Allan, who has all along followed the army, is now on half-pay, a Lieut.-Colonel; 6. James, who was educated for the Church, and also as a physician, made choice of the occupation of a farmer and merchant. He is married to Robina Edmondstoune, daughter to John Edmondstoune of Cambus-Wallace, and has issue: 1. Margaret, married to Campbell of Achraran, issue, sons; 2. Mary, married to Macnicol of Sonoch, and has issue; 3. Anne, married to the Rev. John Connochar, and has issue.

DESCENDANTS OF INVERNAHYLE.

_Ballechelish._

Allan, the first Ballechelish, third son to Donul nan Ord, married —— Macdonnell, daughter to Macdonell of Coillickonid, by whom he had issue: 1. Alexander, who succeeded him; 2. Donald; 3. Allan.

Alexander, the second Ballechelish, married his cousin, a daughter of John du MacDhonuil, and had issue; 1. John, who succeeded; 2. Alexander, _alias_ Alisdair More, who was wadsetter of Achalader, and married a daughter of Campbell of Barcaldine, by whom he had issue.

John, the third Ballechelish, married a daughter of Stewart of Ardsheils, and had issue. He was succeeded by his nephew, Alexander, son to Alisdair More.

Alexander, the fourth Ballechelish, was first married to a daughter of Stewart of Ardsheils, issue, sons. He married after her, Isabel Stewart, daughter to Alexander Stewart of Annat, in Perthshire, and had issue: 1. John, the present Ballechelish; 2. Alexander, who was killed at Falkirk in 1746; and one daughter, Isabel, married to Donald Stewart, nephew to Alexander Stewart, fourth Ballechelish, and son to Donald Mac Alisdair Mhoir.

_Littershuna._

John du MacDhonuil, fourth son to Donald nan Ord. He married a daughter of James Stewart of Glens, commonly called _Ni Mhic Sheumais_. By her he had one son and seven daughters. His son, along with another youth, a son of Sir Donald Campbell of Ardnamurchan, during the rage for suppressing Popery, went to Craig, a place sacred to Saint Curulames, carried away the images, and burnt them in the castle of Island Stalker, offering impious scoffs and insults to the images as they were burning. They both died when young. One of the daughters was married to Stewart of Ardsheil; another to Cameron of Collard; another to Stewart of Fasnacloich; another to Campbell of Clannamacrie, of whom Combie and Edorline; another to Campbell of Stonefield, of whom the present Lord Stonefield, and of whom is also descended the present Earl of Breadalbane; another was married to Macdougall, Baron Dunach, and another to Stewart of Ballechelish.

_Innishchaorach._

Dugald, second son to Duncan the third Invernahyle, purchased from Campbell of Lawers the lands of Innishchaorach, Duaireachan, and Innishdainh, in Glenlochy, Breadalbane. He married and had issue: 1. Allan, who succeeded; 2. Neil, who married a daughter of Stewart of Druimcharrie, in Perthshire, and had issue.

Allan, second Innishchaorach, married —— Burdin, daughter of Burdin of Fidals, and had issue; 1. James, who succeeded; 2. Duncan, who married a daughter of Invernahyle; 3. Dugald, married to a daughter of Alexander Stewart of Acharn; 4. Alexander, who married —— Macgregor, daughter of Alexander Macgregor, _alias_ Alisdair Saoileach, and had issue; 5. John, married —— Farquharson.

James, the third Innishchaorach, married —— Stewart, daughter to Stewart of Annat, and had issue, Alexander and Neil, who died unmarried.

Neil, second son of Dugald, the first Innishchaorach, was the male heir to Innishchaorach. He was wadsetter to Ledcharrie and Edarramhionoich, in Glendochart, and had issue, John, Charles, and Neil. Charles succeeded to the wadset, which was paid up to him, and with the money he bought the lands of Bohalic, in Athole, of which he died possessed. He left them to his daughter, having no male issue.

James, second son to Alexander, the fourth Invernahyle, was wadsetter of Inverkinglass, in Glenkinglass. He was married, and had a son, Allan, who settled in Ardnamurchan. Allan married a daughter of Mr Maccalman, minister of Appin, by whom he had four sons—James, John, Allan and Dugald. Dugald had an estate in Jamaica, called Mounstewart. It was sold and divided among his relations. Allan had a son called Andrew, who settled in Perth, and left a son, a glover. Andrew has two sons, Peter, a glover, and Thomas, a shipmaster and an heritor.

_Strathgarry._

Duncan, second son to Donald the fifth Invernahyle, was bred a clergyman, and settled first at Kilmun, in Cowal; but, upon the abolition of Prelacy, removed to Blair, in Athole, where he continued to preach as an Episcopal clergyman all his days. He first purchased the lands of Strathgarry, and afterwards those of Inverchaddan. Mr Duncan married, first, —— Maclean, daughter of Angus Maclean, who was son to Bishop Maclean of the Isles. By her he had issue: 1. Alexander, who succeeded as Strathgarry; 2. Donald, who married —— Stewart, daughter of Urchalbeg, and had issue, three daughters: 1. Jean, who was married to Donald Maccalman, son of the Minister of Appin; 2. Margaret, who was married to a brother of Urchalbeg; 3. Mary, married to Alexander Robertson, had no issue; and again to a brother of Glenlyon, and had issue. Mr Duncan married, secondly, Janet Maccalman, by whom he had issue: 1. John, who died unmarried; 2. Allan, to whom he gave the lands of Inverchaddan: 1. Margaret, married to Stewart of Dunbealeach; 2. ——, married to Alexander Campbell, second son to Glenlyon; 3. Elizabeth, married to Donald Maclaren of Invernenty; 4. Robina, married to _Rab a Pheti_.

Alexander, second Strathgarry, married —— Robertson, daughter of Robertson of Kincraig. He had two sons, Alexander, who succeeded him, and lived in Ruhip, a purchase by his father, and Allan, minister of Killespendy, and several daughters.

Alexander, third Strathgarry, was minister of Blair, in Athole. He married Isabel Robertson, daughter of Mr Patrick Robertson, brother of Lude, and left issue, the present Strathgarry, Mr Duncan Stewart, minister of Balquhidder, Mr Alexander, minister of Mullien, and three daughters.

_Inverchaddan._

Allan, first son by the second marriage of Mr Duncan Stewart, son to Donald, the fifth Invernahyle. He married Christian Macnab, daughter to the Laird of Macnab, and left two sons, Duncan, the present Inverchaddan, and Allan.

The sword, made by the smith, and given to _Donald nan Ord_, is still in the possession of Captain Dugald Stewart, the present heir of Invernahyle, together with his steel-cap and _luireach_, or coat of mail; also the hammers used by him when in the smith’s family.