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Preserved Edinburgh Society
CLAN DONALD GENEALOGY
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 - Yes, date unknown
Generation: 1
Generation: 2
| 2. | Alexander 13 MACDONELL, of Keppoch  (1.Daughter1) died on 25 Sep 1663 in Keppoch Castle, Lochaber, Scotland. 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].
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