Donald Glas 12 MACDONELL, of Keppoch

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].

Family/Spouse: Jean ROBERTSON, of Struan. Jean and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Daughter FORRESTER, of Kilbeggie. Daughter and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

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:

Murdered 1663 sp.

Notes:

Composed the lament "Cumha na Peathair"