Alexander 13 MACDONELL, of Keppoch

Notes:

Alexander Macdonald, 13th of Keppoch. Murdered 1663 sp. Alexander was a young boy when his father died. He and his brother Ranald are said to have been fostered at Duntuim Castle, and later sent to Rome to complete their education. During this time the clan was administered by Alasdair Buidhe as Tutor of Keppoch. When they returned to Scotland they took up residence at Keppoch Castle and Alasdair Buidhe returned to his home at Bohuntin. Alexander first appears as Chief of the Clan on 2 August 1661 when he was charged by the Privy Council for failing to appear. There was unrest and trouble between Keppoch and the Macdonalds of Inverlair. Some disaffected members of the clan decided that the Chief had to be removed. On the morning of 25 September 1663, assassins entered Keppoch Castle and murdered Alexander and Ranald. The assassins were Allan Dearg, Donald Gorm, Alasdair Ruadh of Inverlair and six of his relations. After the murders the castle was pulled down by the clan and not a stone is now to be seen. The sister of the murdered Chief composed a lament "Cumha na Peathair" (The Sister's Lament) and died shortly after it is said of grief. He was succeeded by Alasdair Buidhe without opposition. Though no action was taken to avenge the deaths Iain Lom was not content to let it lay. He went to Lord MacDonald and Aros, Chief of Glengarry as the High Chief of the day. Glengarry would not take part in any reprisal for Keppoch. Iain Lom then turned to Sleat who came to his aid. Sir James got permission from the Privy Council to move against the murderers. Two years after the murder the band arrived at Inverlair where they took full revenge. Only Donald Gorm and Allan Dearg escaped. Iain Lom cut off the heads of the seven murderers and took them to Glengarry. He stopped on the way to wash them at the place now called "Well of the Heads." He is said to have cast them at Glengarry's feet and said "This was your responsibility!" Glengarry admitted he should have handled it. Perhaps the fact that one of Glengarry's daughters was married to one of the murderers influenced his decision to not take any part in the affair. [From Ceapach: The Keppoch Newsletter by Joyce Haskell ([email protected]) in turn edited from Clan Ranald of Lochaber by Norman H Macdonald FSA Scot].

Notes:

Donald Glas Macdonald, 12th of Keppoch. d. 1650. Donald Glas and the Keppochs formed part of the force raised in 1644, at Aberdeen by the Marquis of Huntly in support of Charles 1. After that year when Montrose raised the Royal Standard, Donald Glas and his men joined Alasdair MacColla Macdonald (Young Colkitto) to gather forces from the Isles. Donald Glas commanded the center of the loyal Clans in the battle of Inverlochy. The Royal Army, with Montrose as Captain-General and Alasdair MacColla Macdonald as Lieutenant-General, marched on Argyll and plundered the whole district. The Macdonalds took the opportunity to wreak vengeance of the followers of MacCailein Mor in return for the depredations of the Campbells in 1639. The entire regions of Argyll and Lorn were devastated. Montrose then received word that Argyll was at Inverlochy Castle with 3,000 men and that Argyll was laying Lochaber to waste. Montrose then launched an attack on Inverlochy that laid the Campbell troops to waste. In 1645 they returned home to protect their lands from the soldiers of the Covenart. The following year Glencoe, hearing of a marriage between the daughter of Campbell and Menzies of Culdares, thought that would be a good time to raid the area. Along with their kinsmen of Keppoch they raided the lands of Campbell of Glenorchy. 120 Keppoch men joined the raid led by Angus Og of Achnancoichean, youngest brother of the Chief. As they were returning with their spoils the Campbells rushed to regain their cattle and overtook them at Margowan. There was a terrible battle in which the Macdonalds came out the winner. The cost to Lochaber was the death of MacIan of Glen Coe and Angus Og. Donald Glas' death seems to have been in 1650 though there is not record of it. Donald Glas married firstly Jean, Daughter of Robertson of Struan without surviving male issue. He married secondly a daughter of Forrester of Kilbeggie by whom he had Alexander, his successor, Ranald, who was murdered with his brother at Keppoch castle in 1663 and a daughter. [From Ceapach: The Keppoch Newsletter by Joyce Haskell ([email protected]) in turn edited from Clan Ranald of Lochaber by Norman H Macdonald FSA Scot].

Donald married Daughter FORRESTER, of Kilbeggie. Daughter and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Alasdair Nan Cleas Macdonald, 10th of Keppoch. Alasdair of the Tricks. (1587-1635). Alasdair was one of the most accomplished men of his time. He learned the art of conjuring which many Highland folk took to be the black art. This is what earned him the name Alasdair of the Tricks. Alasdair had a long history of conflict with MacIntosh. He allied himself in 1587 with Lochiel and Huntly during a feud between the Earls of Huntly and Moray. MacIntosh allied themselves with Moray. In 1588, A Royal Commission to proceed against Keppoch, his brother Ranald of Inch and others of his Clan was procured by MacIntosh jointly with Huntly and Freuchie. While MacIntosh and Freuchie were set on invading Lochaber, Huntly had no wish to see one of his supporters worsted and prevented them from carrying out their raid against Keppoch. In 1589 Keppoch gave a bond of manrent to MacIntosh. For a time all was peaceful. The death of Moray, at the hands of Huntly, in 1592 resulted in the invasion of Huntly by the vassal of Moray. Keppoch and Lochiel retaliated by plundering the land of MacIntosh and Freuchie. In 1593, Keppoch, on the orders of Huntly, invaded Clan Chattan lands in the neighborhood of Inverness and took the Castle of the town holding it in the name of Huntly. Keppoch's brother, Ranald of Inch, his son John (lain Dubh), and 3 of his officers, Goraidh Dubh and his son were captured by MacIntosh who hanged all but Ranald of lnch who escaped. MacIntosh then raided the Braes of Lochaber. In 1594, the Earls of Errol and Angus tried to re-establish the Roman Catholic religion in Scotland, Keppoch led his Clansmen to join them and fought at the Battle of Glenlivet along with Huntly, Errol and other Catholic earls against Argyll. He was supported by his uncle Black John of Bohuntin. In 1595, Keppoch among others entered into a bond with Argyll. He delivered up his youngest son, Angus Og, as hostage for his good behavior. Argyll promised to protect Keppoch against his enemies in all the lands which he laid claim. When Huntly returned from exile in 1598 Keppoch returned his allegiance to him. In 1602 he was ordered to raise 100 men for the Royal Service in Ireland but did not as he was already engaged in raiding the lands of MacIntosh. Letters were raised by John Campbell, Commissary of Inverness, against Ranald of Inch and Donald of Fersit, brothers of Keppoch, lain Dubh of Bohuntin, uncle of Keppoch, and his sons Angus of Tulloch and Allan of Gellovie for "herschip and fire raising" at Moy. Although Alaisdair nan Cleas apparently did not take part in the invasion of Moy, he was held responsible for his followers' actions and was denounced as a rebel. In 1608, Keppoch was pardoned by the Privy Council for a series of "crimes". On a stormy night in 1612 a fugitive Highlander appeared at the door of the house of Tirnadris. He and his companions were of Clan Gregor and were fleeing Argyll's men. Tirnadris turned them away and informed Keppoch as to their presence. Keppoch, under oath to the Government, surprised the Gregors near Tirnadris and killed them all. The spot is still known as Eas Clann Gregor and the burial is marked by small enclosure planted with Scots Pine in a knoll in front of Tirnadris House. Keppoch sent their heads to Edinburgh and received

Alasdair married Jean MACDOUGALL, of Dunollie. Jean and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Ranald Og Macdonald, 9th of Keppoch. d.1587.

Ranald married NicDuncan STEWART, of Appin. NicDuncan (daughter of Sir Duncan 4 STEWART, of Appin and Janet GORDON, of Huntly) and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]