Clan MacDonell of Glengarry

Further information: Clan Donald and Lord of the Isles

The MacDonells of Glengarry are one of the branch clans of Clan Donald—one of the largest Scottish clans. The eponymous ancestor of Clan Donald is Donald, son of Reginald, son of Somerled. Somerled, son of Gillebride was a 12th century leader, styled as "King of the Isles" and "King of Argyll".[11] Through ambitious military conquest, Somerled rose in prominence to create the Kingdom of Mann and the Isles. However, his origins and ancestry are rather obscure.[12] Glengarry is located in Lochaber, which was part of the ancient Kingdom of Moray that was ruled by the Picts.[6] King Robert the Bruce, after the victory of Bannockburn, granted a charter of many lands to Aonghus Óg of Islay, including half the Lordship of Lochaber.[13] Angus Og's son John was the first Lord of the Isles. John's first marriage was to Amie MacRuari, heiress of Clann Ruaidhrí. John later divorced Amie and married Margaret, daughter of King Robert II. The children from John's first marriage were passed over in the main succession and the chiefship of Clan Donald and the later Macdonald Lords of the Isles would go on to descend from John's second marriage.[14] The MacDonells of Glengarry and MacDonalds of Clanranald both descend from John and Amie's eldest son, Reginald.

Reginald, 1st of Clanranald and Glengarry succeeded through his mother Amie MacRuari in the majority of the old lands of Clann Ruaidhrí.[15] Reginald married Lady Fiona Stewart, daughter of Walter Stewart, Earl of Atholl and niece of King Robert II.[16] Reginald himself had five sons.[6] One of them was Alan, the progenitor of Clan Macdonald of Clanranald and another was Donald, 2nd of Glengarry.[6] Little or nothing is known of Donald, however, an account was given in which the lands of Glengarry were returned to the control of the Scottish crown. These lands became a royal forest and were associated with Inverlochy Castle, which was a residence for the monarchy at that time. Meanwhile, the MacDonells of Glengarry were tenants of the crown. Over time, the clan managed to secure a crown charter, granting them legal ownership of the Glengarry lands that were originally taken away from them by their feudal superior, Godfrey of Garmoran, despite Godfrey never questioning the claims of Donald to the Lordship of the Isles.[17] Donald married twice: firstly Laleve, daughter of the chief of Clan MacIver, by whom he had one son named John.[6] Donald married secondly a daughter of the chief of the Clan Fraser of Lovat by whom he had two more sons, Alexander and Angus.[6] Donald died in Lochaber in 1420, was buried at Rollaig Orain, and succeeded by his son.

The first son, John 3rd of Glengarry, died without heirs and was therefore succeeded by his half-brother Alexander "of the Woods", 4th chief of Glengarry, progenitor of Glengarry.[6] Alexander is sometimes considered the first true chief of Glengarry but is usually regarded as the fourth of Glengarry. From Alexander, the clan takes the Gaelic patronymic of Mac Mhic Alasdair, meaning "son of the son of Alexander".[6][9]

The MacDonells of Glengarry resided in the glens near Loch Garry.

Ruins of Strome Castle, the original seat of the chiefs of the Clan MacDonell of Glengarry.

According to Angus and Archibald MacDonald, the family seanachie MacVuirich recorded a death account of Alexander "of the Woods", who is referred to as "a powerful, bold, warlike Lord of the Clanranald", who died on the Isle of Abbas in 1460; However, due to the contemporary records being referenced by the Crown holding unto their lands, there is no mention of his territorial magnate.[18]

His successor, John MacAlister Ranaldsoune, 5th of Glengarry, inherited the lands of Glengarry from his father. The clan was part of the MacDonalds of Clanranald around this time, and took part in several battles, including supporting Aonghas Óg and his claim to the Lordship of the Isles from his father at the Battle of Bloody Bay. Sometime after, John MacAlister supported Aonghas Óg at the Battle of Lagabraad against Clan Mackenzie in order to acquire lands in the Earldom of Ross, which resulted in a victory for Clan Donald.[19] John Ranaldsoune was killed by Fraser of Lovat after being invited to a "friendly" interview with him in Achteraw in Abertarff, Inverness-shire in 1501. This resulted in a conflict between the MacDonells of Glengarry and the Frasers of Lovat, in which the Frasers were defeated and surrendered the lands of Abertarff to the Glengarry MacDonells.[20] According to A and A MacDonald, proceedings were initiated by Alexander MacIain of Glengarry before the Lords of Council against the murderers of his father.[20]

Alexander Ranaldson, 6th of Glengarry, was considered to be a rebellious chief. The MacDonells of Glengarry did not play an important part in the politics of Clan Donald until the late 15th century.[6] Traditional rights of the chiefs were being replaced with feudal relationships in which the Crown was the ultimate superior, as part of the royal policy to pacify the Scottish Highlands, including taking charters from lands formerly held by the Lords of the Isles.[6] The lands of Glengarry were leased to the Earl of Huntly, and the Camerons of Lochiel.[21] Most of the chiefs submitted to James IV of Scotland, and even the MacDonalds of Clanranald accepted charters in 1494.[6] Alexander Ranaldson did not receive a charter, suggesting that he continued to have a rebellious attitude at this time after the fall of the Lords of the Isles. In response, James IV tasked the Earl of Huntly and the Duke of Argyll in carrying out his policy in dividing the territories that once belonged to the Lordship of the Isles for their own holdings for their own clan lands.[21]

A visualization of the heraldric arms for the chiefs of Clan MacDonell of Glengarry (1875).[22]

In 1501, Alexander Ranaldson was summoned for occupying the lands in Morar without a title, while the eldest son of the Earl of Huntly was granted a portion of land in Glengarry. Alexander Ranaldson continued to rebel against the Scottish Crown in response, supporting Domhnall Dubh and his insurrection against the Scottish Crown, but not participating in the rebellion directly.[6][23] In 1510, James IV granted Alexander, Earl of Huntly more lands in Glengarry, but shortly after the King's death at the Battle of Flodden, Donald Gallda of Lochalsh, father-in-law to Alexander Ranaldson, proclaimed himself Lord of the Isles, with Alexander Ranaldson supporting him.[24] During the rebellion, The MacDonells invaded Urquhart Castle, expelled the garrison, and plundered the lands of Clan Grant, causing John Grant of Freuchie to obtain a decree from the Lords of Council for his loss.[24] After Donald Gallda's death, Alexander Ranaldson inherited half of the estate of his father-in-law, which included lands in Lochalsh, Lochcarron and Lochbroom and proclaimed himself Lord of the Isles, but this didn't go anywhere. After the failed rebellions of Domhnall Dubh and Donald Gallda, Alexander Ranaldson submitted to royal authority and was pardoned for past offences in 1531.[6] He received a Crown charter on 9 March 1539 for the lands of Glengarry, Morar, half the lands of Loch Alsh, Lochcarron, Loch Broom and also Strome Castle.[6] This did not stop Alexander Ranaldson following Donald Gorm Macdonald of Sleat in trying to reclaim the Lordship of the Isles.[6] Donald Gorm was killed attacking Eilean Donan Castle and the rebellion collapsed.[6] Subsequently, Alexander Ranaldson was amongst the island chiefs who were tricked into meeting James V at Portree and was imprisoned at Edinburgh where he remained until the king died in 1542.[6] Clan MacDonell of Glengarry supported Clan Cameron in their Raids of Urquhart in October 1544 and April 1545. Alexander Ranaldson was also present at the Battle of the Shirts, supporting John Moidartach and the MacDonalds of Clanranald and Clan Cameron against Clan Fraser of Lovat. It is said that only eight MacDonalds and five Frasers survived the battle.[25] Alexander Ranaldson soon died in 1590.[6]

Angus MacAlester, 7th of Glengarry, succeeded as chief of Glengarry. Angus MacAlester was politically astute, and used the influence of his father-in-law, the chief of Clan Grant, to gain a charter from James VI of Scotland, regaining his ancestral estates in 1574.[6] In a bond of manrent, dated 1571, between Angus MacAlester and Clan Grant, Glengarry makes an exception in favour "of ye auctoritie of our soverane and his Chief of Clanranald only ". This is held by Clanranald of Moydart as an acknowledgment by Glengarry of the Captain of Clanranald as his chief.[26] In 1574, Angus MacAlester led a raid on the mainland of Lochcarron, resulting in the burning of houses and slaughtering inhabitants of the MacKenzie lands. The MacDonells stocked their boats with plunder that they took from the MacKenzies, but the MacKenzies intercepted the MacDonells in small rowing boats at night on their way to the Isle of Skye, overturning the boat, and killing many men, including their chief Angus MacAlester. The survivors swam to the Isle of Skye and escaped, leaving their pillaged plunders behind.[27]

Donald MacAngus, 8th of Glengarry, succeeded Angus as chief of Glengarry, who is reputed to have lived for over one hundred years.[6] In February 1576, Donald MacAngus complained to the Privy Council that Hugh Fraser, 5th Lord Lovat prevented him and his followers transporting timber by water on Loch Ness towards Inverness, and Lovat was ordered not to interfere.[28] It would appear that Angus McAngus was favored by the Court, due to his law-abiding status and peaceful relations with neighboring clans. However, Colin Campbell, 6th Earl of Argyll, upon succeeding as chief of the Campbells in 1577, invaded and plundered the lands of the MacLeans and the MacDonalds, including making preparations for an invasion of the mainland, with the lands of Glengarry as his principle attack.[29] Threatened by the Earl of Argyll, Donald MacAngus appealed to the Privy Council for protection. Realizing his situation, the Council prohibited the Earl of Argyll and his followers from harming the lands of Glengarry. The Council also sent letters to the Frasers of Lovat, MacKenzie of Kintail, Grant of Freuchie, MacKintosh, Munro of Fowlis, Ross of Balnagown, MacDonald of Keppoch, and Chisholm of Strathglass, charging them to "pass to assist and defend with their kin and followers Donald MacAngus and his friends and servants".[30] The Earl of Argyll conceded, and ended his intended invasion.[31]

A depiction of the coats of arms for MacDonell, Lord MacDonell and Aros. Published in "The Scots Peerage: Founded on Wood's Edition of Sir Robert Douglas's Peerage of Scotland; Containing an Historical and Genealogical Account of the Nobility of that Kingdom" by James Balfour Paul in 1904.[32]

Hostiles between the MacDonells of Glengarry and Clan Mackenzie began to become more aggressive in the 17th century. In November 1601, Angus, younger son of Donald MacAngus, accompanied by a large following of his father's dependents, came to the lands of Torridon and laid violence on the lands of the Mackenzies. A complaint was made to the Privy Council against Donald MacAngus, with the same charges made against his son, Angus. However, neither have appeared in the Privy Court.[33] Kenneth Mackenzie, 1st Lord Mackenzie of Kintail procured through the interest of the 1st Earl of Dunfermline, and invaded Glengarry's lands of Morar, plundering as he went. Similarly, the MacDonells wasted the lands of Loch Alsh and Applecross. The violence came to head at the Battle of Morar, which was fought in 1602 between the Clan MacDonell of Glengarry and Clan Mackenzie, with Clan Ross supporting the Mackenzies.[34] After the battle, the MacDonells agreed to give Kenneth Mackenzie the inheritance of Strome Castle. The Mackenzies laid siege to the castle, causing the MacDonells to surrender, and the Mackenzies demolished the castle by gunpowder.[35] The clan soon built Invergarry Castle on Creagan an Fhithich – the Rock of the Raven – in the Great Glen. The following year, the clan, lead by Allan MacRanald of Lundie, launched a fiercer raid on the Mackenzies by burning an entire congregation of Mackenzie clansmen in the church in Kilchrist. According to tradition, a bagpiper for the MacDonells of Glengarry marched around the burning church playing a spirited tune, which was later known as "Kilchrist".[27][36] However, the MacDonells were overtaken at Torbreck in a public-house, which was set on fire by the MacKenzies, and thirty-seven of them were burned alive.[37] The loss of other lands to the Mackenzies was compensated for by the acquisition of Knoydart in 1611. Invited in 1626 by Lord Ochiltree, the Lord Chancellor of Scotland to discuss Royal policy for the Western Isles, Donald MacAngus disagreed with the proposals and was imprisoned for a time.[6] Despite this, in March 1627 he obtained a charter under the great seal that erected Glengarry into a free barony.[6]

When the Wars of the Three Kingdoms began in 1639, Donald MacAngus was too old for active campaigning and leadership. He passed these duties to his son and heir, Aeneas, 9th of Glengarry to take his place.[6] Aeneas, a staunch Royalist, fought during the British Civil Wars, serving under James Graham, 1st Marquis of Montrose throughout his 1644–1645 campaign and protected him after the Battle of Philiphaugh.[6][27] Donald MacAngus soon died in 1645, leaving Aeneas to succeed as chief of Glengarry. Aeneas appeared to continue in the King's service, but was ordered to go to Confederate Ireland in 1647, accompanied by Randal MacDonnell, 1st Marquess of Antrim. His regiment joined the army of Thomas Preston, 1st Viscount Tara in opposing Ormondists. According to MacVuirich, the Highlanders were "esteemed and honoured for their taking of great towns from the enemy until they broke from the army of Preston".[38] Aeneas was eventually taken prisoner and sent to Kilkenny, but was eventually released by the Marquis of Antrim.[38] After his service during the war, Oliver Cromwell forfeited his estates when Scotland was incorporated into the Protectorate (1653-1659), temporarily losing his lands to the control of Cromwell. They were returned after the 1660 Restoration and he received the Jaccobite peerage title Lord MacDonell and Aros.[6] In 1665, a serious quarrel broke out between the MacDonells of Glengarry and the town of Inverness; The dispute started at a fair when a townsman accidentally dropped a cheese, leading to an argument with a woman selling the cheese. The situation escalated quickly, with swords being drawn and shots fired. The town guards intervened, but the conflict resulted in two deaths and several injuries. The MacDonells threatened revenge on the town due to their longstanding feud with the Mackintoshes, who were friendly with Inverness. The town sought support from neighboring Mackintoshes, while the MacDonells proposed a treaty with demanding conditions. The case was brought before the Privy Council, which ruled in favor of the MacDonells, ordering Inverness to pay Glengarry £4,800 in damages and fees, including the fees due to the surgeon who attended the wounded MacDonells.[39] Aeneas produced neither male heirs, nor any eligible children, and the title died with him in 1680.[40]

Ranald, 2nd of Scotus, and 10th of Glengarry succeeded as chief of Glengarry in 1680. When James II & VII was expelled in the 1688 Revolution, the Glengarry MacDonells were among the 2% of Scots who remained Catholics. Ranald was at this point an old man past active exertion. However, this did not stop him from acting as head of the Catholic Jacobite faction during the 1689 Jacobite rising. Ranald's son, Alastair Dubh MacDonell, acted on behalf of his father as chief and leader of the Glengarry clan.[41] The Scots Parliament confiscated Glengarry's lands, although the MacDonells continued to hold Invergarry Castle.[42] The clan, along with 2500 clansmen, fought under John Graham, 1st Viscount Dundee at the Battle of Killiecrankie. By late 1691, Invergarry was closely besieged and the Scottish government was determined to "make an example" of the MacDonells. However, after agreeing to pardon Ranald MacDonell of his treason, they switched targets to the Glencoe MacDonalds, which resulted in the Glencoe Massacre.[43] Ranald died in 1705, and was succeeded by his second son.

Clan tartan. Illustration by R. R. McIan from James Logan's The Clans of the Scottish Highlands, published in 1845.

Alastair Dubh MacDonell, 1st of Titular, Lord MacDonald, and 11th of Glengarry has been described as "one of the most distinguished warriors of his day in the Highlands". Alastair Dubh and his father were among the first of the Highlanders who joined Viscount Dundee in the attempt to restore Prince James Francis Edward Stuart. Alastair Dubh took part in the Jacobite rising of 1715 on behalf of James Francis Edward Stuart, son of the disposed James VIII.[44] Alastair Dubh joined Viscount Dundee "on the appointed day" of 18 May, 1689 in Lochaber, with 300 of his followers. This was soon followed by Clanranald, Appin, and Glencoe, with about 400 men between them. Soon after, Cameron of Lochiel arrived at the head of 600, while Keppoch followed with 200 more clansmen to aid in the rebellion. Montrose wrote his famous letter to Clan MacLeod on 23 June 1689, in which he says "Glengaire gave me account of the subject of a letter he receaved from you; I shall only tell yow, that if you hasten not to land your men, I am of opinion you will have litle occasion to do the king great service".[45] The MacDonells of Glengarry fought at the Battle of Sheriffmuir.[6] When Ailean Dearg, the Chief of Clan Macdonald of Clanranald was mortally wounded, Alasdair Dubh rallied the faltering warriors of Clan Donald by throwing up his blue bonnet and crying Buillean an-diugh, tuiream a-màireach! ("Blows today, mourning tomorrow!");[46] Although considered a victory, it was ineffective, and left no practical results in restoring the Stuarts to the British throne.[47] In 1716, James Francis Edward Stuart issued a warrant for a patent of favour of Alasdair Dubh and his heirs, bestowing the title of Lord MacDonell in the Jacobite peerage.[6][48] Following the death of Alasdair Dubh (c. 1721 or 1724), he was eulogized in the song-poem Alistair à Gleanna Garadh by his kinswoman Sìleas na Ceapaich, which hearkens back to the mythological poetry attributed to Amergin Glúingel and which remains an iconic and oft imitated work of Scottish Gaelic literature.[49] General Wade's report on the Highlands in 1724, estimated the clan strength at 800 men.[50] Alastair Dubh died at Invergarry in 1721, and was succeeded by his son, John.

John, 2nd of Titular, Lord MacDonald, and 12th of Glengarry succeeded as chief. John obtained a charter for himself and male heirs of the lands of Knoydart from John Campbell, 2nd Duke of Argyll in August 1724. The following year, a "Bond of Friendship" between John of Glengarry and Patrick Grant of Glenmoriston took place, binding themselves to maintain peaceful relations between their clans.[51] John did not take an active involvement in the Jacobite rising of 1745, although certain circumstances caused the chief discomfort, his position in comparable to the chief of Clanranald.[52] Glengarry's Regiment served throughout the 1745 Rising, initially led by Aeneas, Alasdair Dubh's second son. The clan were involved in many battles, including the Highbridge Skirmish, which was the first engagement between Government and Jacobite troops during the uprising. The regiment also fought at the Clifton Moor Skirmish and the Battle of Prestonpans, a Jacobite success. However, Aeneas was accidentally shot after the regiment's engagement at Falkirk and eventually died three days later.[53] He was replaced by his kinsman, Donald MacDonnell of Lochgarry, who lead the Glengarry regiment at the Battle of Culloden in April 1746, under the command of James Drummond, 3rd Duke of Perth. Glengarry's numbered up to 530, the largest in the entire Jacobite army.[54] During the battle, the MacDonald regiments were located on the extreme left wing of the Jacobite army, instead of their preferred place on the right wing. According to legend, these regiments refused to charge when ordered to do so, due to the perceived insult of being placed on the left wing.[55] The Glengarry regiment disbanded in May 1746 after their defeat at Culloden. Charles Edward Stuart found himself in a challenging situation when he sought shelter at Invergarry Castle by way of Fort Augustus. At that time, the castle was deserted and lacked basic necessities such as furniture and provisions. After Charles left to hide in the moors of the Highlands, Invergarry Castle was afterwards plundered and burnt to the ground by Cumberland's troops.[56] Aeneas's elder brother Alastair Ruadh, later 13th of Glengarry, was captured in November 1745 by a Royal Navy frigate while travelling from France to join in the Jacobite Rising. Imprisoned in the Tower of London, he was released in 1747 and at some point became a Hanoverian mole inside the Jacobite Movement, with devastating results.[57] While his motivations are still disputed, Scottish historian Andrew Lang confirmed that Alistair Ruadh was in fact 'Pickle the Spy' in 1747.[58]

Alexander Ranaldson MacDonell of Glengarry, ca 1812.

Invergarry Castle is the traditional seat of Clan MacDonell of Glengarry, and home to the chiefs of the MacDonells until 1746 when the British Government partially destroyed the castle under the orders of the Duke of Cumberland.

The Highland Clearances of the early 19th century forced the majority of Clan MacDonell of Glengarry into exile; most settled in Glengarry County, Ontario and parts of Nova Scotia.[59] The most systematic evictions were ordered by the 15th chief, Alexander Ranaldson MacDonell of Glengarry, who was allegedly the model for the haughty and flamboyant Scottish clan chief Fergus MacIvor in Walter Scott's 1814 novel, Waverley. In June 1815, Glengarry formed the Society of True Highlanders, a rival to the Celtic Society of Edinburgh, reflecting the strong sense of Highland identity and pride that characterized the time; he was closely involved in arguments over precedence before, during, and after George IV's visit to Scotland in 1822. The occasion is best remembered for popularizing the idea of tartans and traditional Highland dress.

His kinsman Fr. Alexander MacDonell (1762–1840) became a Catholic priest in Lochaber. In 1794, during the French Revolutionary Wars, Fr. MacDonell became the first Catholic military chaplain in post-Reformation British military history after helping to raise the Glengarry Fencibles, which was disbanded in 1804. Father MacDonell accompanied his clansmen to Glengarry County, Ontario, where he helped resurrect the regiment for active service in the War of 1812. In 1826, he was appointed first Bishop of the local Diocese of Kingston. Sir James MacDonell, brother of the 14th Chief of Glengarry, fought under Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington, winning glory for the clan at the Battle of Waterloo during the Napoleonic Wars.[27] The Duke of Wellington awarded him £1000 for his part in the battle calling him "the bravest man in the British Army". General MacDonell insisted on splitting this money with his sergeant, James Graham.

Aneas Ranaldson, 16th of Glengarry sold his estate and, along with a significant portion of his clan, departed and emigrated to Australia in 1840. This event caught the attention of contemporary publications, "We cannot regard the expatriation of the head of an old Highland family, with its clan associations, its pipe music, and its federal recollections, from the battle of Inverlochy downwards, without some regret and emotion".[60] The departure marked a significant change for the clan and its longstanding connections to their ancestral lands, evoking a sense of sentimentality and reflection. Aneas Ranaldson later returned to Knoydart where he died in 1851.[60]

The 17th chief of Glengarry, Alexander Ranaldson, also returned from Australia, but later sold his estate to the Marquess of Huntly and emigrated with his sons to New Zealand where he later died in 1862.[27] He was succeeded by his younger brother, Charles Ranaldson, 18th chief of Glengarry, but died on his way home from New Zealand, rendering the chief line from the 11th chief of Glengarry, Alasdair Dubh, extinct.[61] However, he was "posthumously" succeeded by his distant relative, Aneas Ranald, 19th of Glengarry through the Scotus branch, thus continuing the chief succession of the clan.[61][62]

Aeneas Ranald Wesdrop, 10th of Titular, 20th chief was educated at Eton College, and entering upon a commercial career, he was latterly connected with New Zealand Midland Railway Company, a well-known oil producer in London and Moscow.[63] Aeneas died at in Chelsea in 1901 and was succeeded by his son. Aeneas Ranald MacDonell, 11th of Titular, 21st chief. Aeneas was educated at St Paul's School, London, and was for a short time connected with the banking firm of Herries Farquhar & Company. During World War I, he was given the rank of Major and sent on a British military mission in Tbilisi, making the journey on a 36-hour train from Baku in December 1917.[64] Aneas Ranald Donald, 12th of Titular, 22nd chief succeeded as chief in 1941 and died in 1999. His brother, Aeneas Ranald Euan MacDonell, 13th of Titular, 23rd chief, succeeded him in 1999. Ranald MacDonell died in 2021, he was succeeded by his younger brother.[65]

The current chief is Colin Patrick MacDonell, 24th Chief of Glengarry.[66]