Donald Gorm MACDONELL, of Clianaig

Notes:

Fled 1663, implicated in the murder of his cousins Alexander 13th chief and his brother Ranald.

Hugh Peskett, acting for Ranald Alexander Macdonald in his claim to be Keppoch [see: http://www.scotcourts.gov.uk/opinions/XA22.html] claims Donald Gorm of Clianaig and Donald Gorm of Inveroy Mor as one and the same person, with Inveroy Mor being possibly also a tacksman of Clianaig.

Castleton shows these 2 as separate individuals, uncle and nephew. Indeed, the Register of the Privy Council 3rd Series Vol. 3 (1683-1684) Ed. by P Hume Brown (1915) States in 2 successive decreets of the Privy Council for 1683 - 1684:

"Decreitt. John Campbell in Torr contra Donald Gorme in Clinadge [Clianaig], Angus McDonald Leanichinbeg and Angus Mcdonald of Killichonat, his nephew, and chieff of the famillie, whereof he is desciendit, for his interest. Daited at Achallader, the seventein day of August, 1683."

"Decreitt. Donald Gorme McDonald of Inneroy contra Alexander Campbell of Lochneill, wherefor he is asolzied becaus the lybell is not sufficiently provine."

This would seem to suggest that the 2 Donald Gorms were not one and the same individual.

Norman H MacDonald states that: "There is no proof that Donald Gorm MacDonald of Inverroy Mor [as stated by Hugh Peskett] was a son of Alasdair Buidhe 14th of Keppoch. All the printed accounts, based on local knowledge, or tradition, show a Donald Gorm of Inverroy as a son of Alasdair nan Cleas, 10th o Keppoch and therefore a younger brother of Alasdair Buidhe, 14th Chief. Alasdair Buidhe, indeed did have a son known as Donald Gorm who, along with his eldest brother alan, was indicted for the morder of alexander 13th Chief and his brother Ranald in 1663... and DC MacPherson ... states in a letter, that he thought but was not absolutely sure, that this latter Donald Gorm was the progenitor of the Clianaig cadet family of Keppoch."

There are other difficulties with this case and the genealogy below is not univerally accepted. However, it is included here, to use the terms of the Court of Session, for aught yet seen. I have retained the designation "of Clianaig" as that is the one used by Casleton, which is my preferred source. RKWM.

Family/Spouse: Unknown. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. Alexander MACDONELL, of Inveroy Mor and died.
2. Iain MACDONELL, of Inveroy and died.
3. Archibald MACDONELL, of Inveroy died before 1729.
4. Angus MACDONELL, of Inveroy and died.

Notes:

Alasdair Buidhe Macdonald, 14th of Keppoch. Alasdair Buidhe (yellow haired), who was the Tutor of Keppoch, became the unopposed chief after the murder of the young chiefs. In the Royal Commission, granted July 1665, to proceed against the murderers two of his sons were named. A band of 50 warriors arrived in the Braes of Lochaber in September of 1665, two years after the murders. They surprised Sliochd Dhughaill (Macdonalds of Inverlair) at Inverlair and after a bloody fight Alasdair Ruadh MacDughaill and six of his relatives were killed. lain Lom cut off the heads and ordered the seven headless bodies to be buried on a knoll opposite the house of Inverlair. (The skeletons of the bodies were unearthed in this century and no skulls were found.) The two sons of Alasdair Buidhe avoided capture. The elder, Ailein Dearg, had fled, some say to Lewis, others say to Badenoch. There is one story that has him killed at Tulloch. The younger son, Donald Gorm's, name appears among those against whom legal proceedings were begun in 1671 for the 1663 murders. Keppoch was summoned, among others, before the Privy Council on 15 January, 1669 for using violence against a company of soldiers sent to assist in collecting the taxes. He is said to have drowned in the River Spean the same year. He was succeeded by his second son Archibald, also called Gilleasbuig. [From Ceapach: The Keppoch Newsletter by Joyce Haskell ([email protected]) in turn edited from Clan Ranald of Lochaber by Norman H Macdonald FSA Scot].

Alasdair married Second WIFE. Second 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]