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THE
SCOTTISH JOURNAL
OF
_Topography, Antiquities, Traditions,_
&c. &c.
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No. 22. Edinburgh, Saturday, January 29, 1848. Price 1½d.
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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.
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