DescriptionClan Maclean in The Scottish Nation by William Anderson (1877).png	English: Clan Maclean in The Scottish Nation by William Anderson (1877)
Date	1877
Source	https://books.google.com/books?id=Bp-uP3hDnVgC&pg=PA43
Author	William Anderson  (fl. 1870s date QS:P,+1870–00–00T00:00:00Z/8 )    Description British writer Work period 1870s date QS:P,+1870-00-00T00:00:00Z/8   Authority file : Q62117139 creator QS:P170,Q62117139

Maclean, the name of a clan (badge, blackberry heath) of supposed Irish descent, founded by one of the Fitzgerald family, as the clan Kenzie is said to have been by another. The Macleans are not mentioned among the native tribes in the Gaelic manuscript of 1450, and the Norman or Italian origin of their chiefs is therefore the more probable, the Fitzgeralds having sprung from the Florentine Geraldi, one of whom came over with William the Conqueror. Their progenitor, according to Celtic tradition, Whs one Gillean or Gill-eoin, a name signifying the young man, or the servant or follower of John, who lived so early as the beginning of the 5th century. He was called GiUean-na-TuaidAt. that i*. Uillean with the axe, from the dexterous manner in which he wielded that weapon In brittle, and his descendant! bear a battle-axe in their crest, between a laurel and a cypress branch. Macnlane, the Gaelic pronunciation of the name, may mean the great stranger, from maynui, great, and alttmu, a foreigner. (See To), ii., p. 707, art. Mac.)

The Macleans have been located in Mull since the 14th century. They appear originally to have belonged to Morav. Mr. Skene says: "The two oldest genealogies of the Macleans, of which one is the production of the Beatons, who were hereditary sennachies of'the family, concur in deriving the clan Gille-eon from the same nee from the same race from whom the clans belonging to the great Mony tribe are brought by the manuscript, of 1450. Of this clan the oldest seat seems to have been the district of Lorn, as they first appear in subjection to the lords of Ixirn; and their situation being thus between the Camerons and M.-icnNchtans, who were undisputed branches of the Moray tritie, there can be little doubt that the Macleans belonged to that trilie aUo. As tlieir oldest i«'st was thus in Argyle, while they an unquestionably a part of the tribe of Moray, we may infer tli»i they were one of those clans transplanted from North Moray by Malcolm IV., »nd it u not unlikely that Glen Urqnhart was their original residence, ax that district is said to hare been in the possession of the Macleans when the Bissets came in."

The first of the name on record, Gillean. lived in the reign of Alexander III. (1249—12H6), and fought against tl.e Norsemen at the battle of Largs. In the K»gman Roll we find Gilliemore Macilean descntwd aa del Counte de Perth, among those who swore fealty to Edward I. in 1296. As the county of Perth at that period included Lorn, it is probable that he was the son ot Gillean «nd ancestor of the Macleans. In tlw rrign of Robert the Bruce mention U mude ol

brothers, John, Nigel, and Dofuall, termed Macgillean ar fcfa Gtllean, who appear to have been sona of Gilliemore, for we find John aftenrarda designated Macgilliemore. The i»rj«r fooglit auder Brace at Bannockburn. A diapnte havuig arisen with liie lord of Lorn, the brother* left him and t-.vk refuge in Uie Isles. Between them and the Mackinnons, p^cn wtme landa tbey appear to have encroached, a bitter frad took place, which led to a most daring act on the part ■C the chief of the Macleana. When following, with the chief ml the Mackinnone, the galley of the lord of the Isles, he attacked the former and slew him, and immediately after, ltiu of hia vengeance, he seized the Macdonald himself, erd carried him prisoner to Icolmkill, where he was detained tats] ke> agreed to vow friendship to the Macleana, "upon stones where men were used to make solemn vows in superstitious tiroes," and granted them the lands in MavD wmcfa they have ever since possessed. John Gilliemorc eornaroed Dim from his dark complexion, appears to tare settled in Mall about the rear 1330. He died in the negn of Robert II., leaving two sons, Lschlan Lubanach, aoentor of the Macleans of Dowart, and Eachann or Hector a>c"iach, of the Macleans of Lochbuy.

Lachlan the elder son, married in 1366, Margaret, daughter of John I. lord of the Isles, by his wife, the princess Mergery Stewart, and had a son, Hector, which became a isrvarite naine among the Macleans, as Kenneth was among t.w Mackenzie*, Evan among the Csmerons, and Hugh a.-ioog the Mackaya. Both Laclilan and bis son. Hector, rmrved extensive grants of land from John, the father-inlaw of the former, and liii successor, Donald. Altogether, t-»tr pnvwaons consisted of the isles of Mull, Tiree, and i- - :. with Morrern on the mainland, Kingerloch and Ardgour; aaa iae clan Giliean became one of the most important and powerful of the vassal tribes of the lords of the Isles.

Latvian's son, Hector, called Eaclumn Ruadh nan Cath, that a. Red Hector of the Battles, commanded as lieutenantswaaral under hia uncle, Donald, at the battle of Harlaw in Ull. when be and Sir Alexander Irving of Drum, seeking »it each other by their armorial bearings, encountered hand . Lead and slew each other; in commemoration of which - rraros'-anoe, we are told, the Dowart and Dram families were

• eg ecru»t<*ne.) Red Hector of the Battles married a daughter of the earl cf Douglas Hia eldest son wss taken prisoner at the walk of Harlaw. and detained in captivity a long time by Ike aarl of Mar. Hia brother, John,at the head of the Macawam, wan ia tbe expedition of Donald Balloch, cousin of the

• ra of the Isiea, in 1431, when the Islesmen ravaged Lochsiwy, an* were encountered at Inverlochy, near Fortwilliam, W ta* rjyal forces under tlia earls of Caithness and Mar, •w« :i«v defeated. In tbe dissensions which arose between .'wrt. \t* Last lord of tbe Isles, and his turbulent son, Angus, **n. «u: the '.aland chiefs descended trum the original family, wa-sfuurwc thai hia father had made improvident grants of s»4 •« the MacWns and other tribes. Hector Maclean, chief *f VW r -r acd grrat-grandaon of Red Hector of the Battles, »»* wart witb tb* fanner, and commanded his fleet at the

ef thw rUaody Bay in 1480, where be was taken pri

soner. This Hector was chief of his tribe at the date of the forfeiture of the lordship of the Isles in 1493, when tbe clan Giliean, or Clanlean as it came to be called, was divided into four independent branches, viz., the Macleans of Dowart, the Macleans of Lochbuy, the Macleans of Coll, and the Macleans of Ardgour. When King James was on his second expedition to tbe Isles in 1495, Hector Maclean of Dowart was among the island chiefs who then made their submission to him, and the following year he was one of the five chiefs of rank who appeared before the lords of council and bound themselves, "by the extension of their hands," to abstain from mutual injuries and molestation, each under a penalty of £500. Ijiclilsn Maclean was chief of Dowart in 1602, and he and his kinsman, Maclean of Lochbuy, were among the leading men of tbe Western Isles whom that energetic monarch, James IV., entered into correspondence with, for the purpose of breaking up the confederacy of the Islanders, "rewarding them by presents in the shape either of money or of gnint« of land, and securing their services in reducing to obedience such of their fellow chieftains as proved contumacious, or actually rose in rebellion." (See Tytler't HitL nj Scotland, vol. iv. p. 368). Nevertheless, on the breaking out of the insurrection under Donald Dubh. in 1503, they were both implicated in it. Ijtchlan Maclean was forfeited with Cameron of Locliiel, while Maclean of Lochbuy and several others were summoned before the parliament, to answer for their treasonable support given to the rebels. In 1505 Maclean of Dowart abandoned the cause of Donald Dubb and submitted to the government; his example was followed by Maclean of Lochbuy and other chiefs; and this had the effect, soon after, of putting an end to the rebellion.

The lands of Locliiel had, in 1458, been bestowed by the earl of Ross on Maclean, founder of the family of Coll, and this caused a quarrel between the Macleans snd tbe Camerons, in which, in course of time, were involved all of the former name. The feud raged, with more or less bitterness, for several years, but it, and another, between the Dowart and Lochbuy branches of the Macleana. regarding their landa in Morrern and the isle of Tiree, appear to have been checked for a time, by the prudent measures of James IV., towards the end of his reign.

I-achlan Maclean of Dowart was killed at Klodden. Hia sal-censor, of the same name, was one of the principal supporters of Sir Donald Macdonald of Ixchalsh, when, in November 1518, be brought forward his claims to the lordship of the Isles. He seized the royal castle of Csrnehurgh, near Mull, and sAerwanls that of Dnnskafch in bleat. By the earl of Arpyle, however, he was prevailed upon, with several other island chiefs, to submit to the government, after having, in 1517, with Macleod of Dunvegan. made prisoners of Sir Donald's two brothers. In a petition which he presented to the council on this occasion he demanded a free remission of all offences to himself and certain of his " kin, men, servants, and part-takers," whom he named; that Sir Donald of I>ochalsh, with his associatee shoald be proceeded against as traitors, and their lands forfeited; and that Sir Danald'a two brothers, then in his custody, should be executed according to law. The remission he asked for was granted, upon hostages being given for future obedience, but when lie claimed an heritable grant of one hundred merk lands in Tiree and Mull, free of all duties, the council wjuld not give it for a longer term than till the king, who was then only ia his fifth year, should come of age. With this arrangement he was forced to be content, and having appeared before tbe council, he gave his solemn oath of allegiance to the king.

From this tun* till 1623, there was peace in the Islea. but in that year a feud of a moat implacable character broke out | between the Macleans and the Campbells, arising out of an occurrence, which forms the inliject of Miss Baillie's celebrated tragedy of 'The Family Legend,' and is thus related by Mr. Gregory: "Lanchton Cattanach Maclean of Dnwart married Lady Elizabeth Campbell, daughter of Archibald, second earl of Argyle; and, either from the circumstance of their union being unfruitful, or more probably owing to some domestic quarrels, he determined to get rid of his wife. Some accounts say that she had twice attempted her hushand's life; but, whatever the cause miiy have bean, Mao lean, following the advice of two of his vassals, who exercised a considerable influence over him from the tie of fosterage. caused his lady to be exposed on a rock, which was only visible at low water, intending that she should be swept away by the return of the tide. This rock lies between the island of Lismore and the coast of Mull, and is still known by the name of the 'Lady's Rock.' From this perilous situation •lie was rescued by a boat accidentally passing, and conveyed tn her brother's house. Her relations, although much exasperated against Maclean, smothered their resentment for a time, but only to break out afterwards with greater violence; for the laird of Dowart, being in Edinburgh, was surprised, when in bed, and assassinated by Sir John Campbell of Calder, the lady's brother. The Macleans instantly took arms, to revenge the death of their chief, and the Campbells were not slow in preparing to follow up the feud; but the government interfered, and, for the present, an appeal to arms was (voided." (lirrtfory't Highland* and hltt, pp. 127, 128.) In 1529, however, the Macleans joined the Clatidonald of Isla against the earl of Argyle, and ravaged with fire and sword the lands of Roseneath, Craignish, and others belonging to the Campbells, killing many of the inhabitants. The Campbells, on their part, retaliated by laying waste great portion of the isles of Mnll and Tirce and the lands of Morvmi, belonging to the Macleans. In May 1530, Maclean of Dnmart and Alexander of Isla made their personal submission to the sovereign at Stirling, and, with the other rebel island chiefs who followed their example, were pardoned, upon giving security for their after obedience.

In 1545, Maclean of Dnwart acted a very prominent part in the intrigues with England, in furtherance of the project of Henry VIII.. to force the Scottish nation to consent to a marriage between Prince Edward and the young Queen Mary. He and Maclean of Lochbny were among the barons of the Isles who accompanied Donald Dubh to Ireland, and at the command of the earl of Lennox, claiming to lie regent of Scotland, swore allegiance to the king of F.ngland. One of the two plenipotentiaries sent by Donald Dulih to the F.nglish court at this time, was Patrick Maclean, brother of Dnwart, described as justiriar of the Isle* and bailie of Icolmkill. Of the money sent by the KnplUh king to pay the ialesmen engaged in the expedition against the regent Arran, Maclean of Dowart seems to have had the charge, but not making * proper division of it. (lie insular chiefs separated in discontent, and the expedition came, in consequence, to an end. Macvnrich, in a ni-te quoted by Mr. Grrgnry, navs: *' A ship came from Kn^larid with a supply of money to carry on the war, which landed at Mull; and the money was given to Maclean of Dowart to be distributed among the commanders of the army j which they not receiving in proportion as it should have been distributed amongst them, eanajd the army to diftpene."

The clan history subsequently consisted chiefly of a record of r-"d« in which the I>nw«rt family were engnged with the Uacieana of Coil, and la* Maedonalds of Kinlyre. The dis

pute with the former arose from Dowart, who was generally recognised as the head of the Clan-lean, insisting on being followed as chief by Maclean of Coll, and the latter, who held his lands direct from the crown, declining to acknowledge him as such, on the ground that being a free baron, he owed no service but to his sovereign as his feudal superior. In consequence of this refusal, Dowart, in the year 1561, caused Coil's lands to be ravaged, and his tenants to be imprisoned. With some difficulty, and after the lapse of several yean. Coll succeeded in bringing his case before toe privy council, who ordered Dowart to make reparation to him for the injury done to his property and tenants, and likewise to refrain from molesting him in future. But on a renewal of the feud some years after, the Macleans of Coll were expelled from that island by the young laird of Dowart.

The quarrel between the Macleans and the Macdonaldx of Isla and Kintyre was, at the outset, merely a dispute as to the right of occupancy of the crown lands called the Rhinns ot Isla. but it soon involved these tribes in a long and bloody feud, and eventually led to the destruction nearly of them both. The Macleans, who were in possession, claimed to hold the lands in dispute as tenants of the crown, but the privy council decided that Maodonald of Isla was really the crown tenant. In 1562, the Macdonalds of Isla, assisted by those of Sleat, invaded the isles of Mnll, Tiree, and Coll, and in 1565 the rival chiefs were compelled to find sureties, to the amount of £10.000, that they would abstain from mutual hostilities. But even this did not restrain a high spirited tribe like the Macleans. On the death of James Macdwiald of Dunyveg, Hector Maclean of Dowart ravaged with fire and sword the isle of Gigha, being part of the jointure lands o< Lady Agnes Campbell, Macdonald's widow, and in consequence Queen Mary, then at the castle of Dnnbar, granted, on 28th April, 1567, a commission of lientemindry to the eail nt Argyle against him and his clan. (XnoZfrfa .ScofiVo, p. 893.)

Lachlsn Maclean of Dowart, called Lachlan M6r, was chief of the Macleans in 1578. He is said to have got the name of J/or, from his great stature, but, as we have already shown in the article on Campbell (vol. i. p. 644), this term was frequently applied to denote superior rank. Under him the tend with the Macdonalds assumed a most sanguinary and relentless character. He is described as a young man of an active and energetic spirit, and of superior talents improved1 by a good education, but of a cruel and fierce disposition. He had succeeded young to the chiefahip, and during his minority the estates were managed by his kinsman. Hector Maclean, whose father, Allan Maclean of Gigha and Torluak, brother of the former Maclean of Dowart, is celebrated in tradition as a warrior, by the name of Altin nan Sop. To obtain possession of the estates for himself, Hector designed to deprive the young chief of his life, but Lachlan Mor discovered his purpose, and on attaining his majority, had him apprehended, and after imprisoning him for a considerable time in the castle of Dowart. he was removed to the isle ot Coll, and Uliesilcd by Ijichlan's order. The following year, nn a renewal of the fend between the Macleans and the Macdonalds of Isla. the king and council commanded the chiefs of both tribes to subscribe assurances of indemnity to each other, under the penalty of treason. But although Maedonald of Dimyveg, at this time, married Maclean's sister, hostilities were only suspended between the clans, to break out nn long time after, with inrreavd violence. It was in the year 1585 that this most destructive feinl reached its height, and that under the following circumstances:

Mardnnald of Sleat, on his way to visit his kinsman, Angim Macdonald, was driven by stress of weather to the of Jon. and landed on that put which belonged to M-cietn, t)i« other pert being the property of Angus Mac*»-*ld. Two of tba CUndonald, who had a grudge at their r-«*f. on* nf wliofn was named Macdonald Terreiigh, happenin la arrive tm the inland at the Mine time, and that same xiffet earned off some of Maclean's entile, with the object that the theft might be imputed to Sleat and bin party, t oier that imprespnon IjichUn Mor Maclean assembled his MJowrrv and suddenly attacking them at night, slew about «Hy of them. Tlie chief of Sleat himself only escaped by fca having previously pone on board his trailer to pass the vrfaL After bis return tn Sieve, whither he proceeded row=t "ngrjnce against the Macleans, he was vinited by Angus MacdoaaJd. for the purpose of concerting measures of retaliab-w. On his bomewsrd wage to Kin tyre, Angus Macdon»y landed in the Me of Mull, and. against the advice of his . went to visit his brother-in-law at his caHtle of in the hope of effecting an amictihle arrangement of t.t tSeir deputes. Mis two brothers, Ranald and Coll, who •*r* with him, refined to accompany him, fearing treachery, •xl their fears wen realited; for, although well received st ftnt by Maclean. Angus and all bin p-irty were the following <ay aiiejsted by L^clilaa Mor and thrown into prison. 'Hie *ity on* who eacaped wan Reginald Macdonald, the oonrin nf Angus. To preserve his life and recover his freedom Angits •rnvd to renounce his right to the disputed lands in the Kbinaat of I»U. and for the performance of this engagement k» Vm obliged to give his eldest son, James, a young hoy, •ftd hi* brother, R»ra1d, as floatages. In a short time iilterwsrds I^rhlin Mor uiled to Nla to pet the agreement coinpixai. taking with him James Mardnnald, one of the bost•cee. leaving the other in fetters in the castle of Dowart. i >n V.ie arrivs] he encamped at the niinons fort of Kilnn Gorm •n lb» Rhhina. Angus Mardnnald wa» then residing at Vii'intma, to which place he invited Maclesn. who declined •K» invitation. "There w»>." Mvs Sir Robert Gordon, "so !"-<• t-nat on either sy.1. that they did not now meit in or amitie, bot vpon ther owne guard, or rather by . one from another." Angus, however, pressed his r-vrtatinn. with the strongest ssmrsncee of Mfety and good tnvtsnent. and Laehlan Mor. thrown off bin guard, at length •wpb<4 ttith M of his followers lie went In Mullintrea in ifc* m*»tb nf July 1.%H6. and on hia arrival wan suinptunnalv wit«rtaioed the whole day. The night, however, was signslised bv trvacbenr snd hlond. The event is thus related: •• At lK» unul boor for retiring t» repose. Maclean suit his 1~t* w«t« lodeed in a lnnghrni«e. which stood by it»lf, at *•«« dwtanre from the other boiiw*. During the wltnle day had always kept Jamen Mucdonald, the hostnge^ hiai b« raarn, aa a aort of protection to him in caw of an . snd at going to bed he tonk him along with him. an brar after Mai-lean and hu people had retired, hled hii men tn the number nf 3 or 400, and irrmind toe hou»e in which Marlean and his Then going himeelf to the door Im* called upon . and t/»;d him that he had come tn give him hia reC drtnk. »hirh he bad forgotten to order him before p»»t !• bad. Maclean answered that lie did not wish to drink at that tin*, bnt Mardonald btsiited that he should rite, it f. he said, hi* will that he Rhould do so. The peremp\.*~ of Maedoraltl made Maclean at onee appreheii!«iie . and getting up and placing tlie buy between his M a eon of shieM. he prepared to defi-im nis life as kaqt s» W as«U. ar t* sell it aa dswly M poawbie. As soon aa tW 4"a» waa fsmad (pen, Jamaa MaoHonaM. aeeing his r w4k a ajdkasl sward in hia bud, and • number of his men anned in the same manner, cried aloud fur merry to Maclean, his uncle, which being granted. Lacblan M6r wsi immediately removed to a secret chamber, where he remained till next morning. After Maclean bad surrendered, Angus Macdonild announced to those within the house that if they would come without, their live* would be spared; but he exoepted Macdonnld Terreagh and another individual whom he named. The whole, with the exception of these two, having complied, the house was immediately set on fire, and con-nmed along with Macdonald Terreagh and his companion. The former was one of the Clnndonald of the western islanda, and not only had assisted the Macleans against his own tribe, but was also the originator nf all these dUtnrbanees; and the latter was a near kinsman of Maclean, one of the oldest of the clan, and celebrated both for his wisdom and prowess."

Bnt this was only the beginning of the tragedy. What followed was Rtill more horrible. Allan Maclean, a near kinsman of Ijichlan Mbr, in the hope that the Macdonalds would put him to death, in which event he would have succeeded to the management of the estate. a.i guardian to hia children, who were then very young, caused a report to be spread that the hosUge left behind at Dowart cantle, had been killeil by the Macleans. Under the impression that it was tnie. Coll Macjames. the brother of the hostage and of Angus Macdonald. tTM>k a signal vengeance on the nnfor.n • n.-ite prisonent in liin hands, two of whom were execnted every day, until at last Ijichlan Mrr alone survived. An accident that happened to Angns Macdonald. an he was mounting his horse to witness hii execution, Kaved hia life. Information of these atrocities being sent to the king (James VI.), he immediately despatched a herald to demand that l-aohlan Mdr should lie set at liberty, but the herald was unalile to procure shipping for Isla. Macdonald waa at length prevailed upon to release him, on his delivering into his hands his eldeat ton. Hector Maclean, and seven other hostages. Soon after Angus Macdonald went on a visit to 1'lster. when Maclean, regardless of the safery of his hostages, and dreaming only of vengeance, hurried to l«la and laid waste a great portion of that inland.

On hia return fmm Ireland. Angus Macdonald, at the head of a large force, invaded the iales of Mull and Tiree. which he ravaged with tire and sword, slaying many of the inhabitants, aa well a» the domentic animnls nf every description. "Kinally," nava Sir Robert Gordon, "he rame to the very Benmore in Mull, and there killed and chased the clan l«an at liis pleasure, and so revenged hiinwlf fully nf the injuries done to him and liin tribe." Instead of opposing him. Msrlean made an inroad into Kintyre, creut part of which he ravaged and plundered, and "thus for awhile they did euntinnally vex one another with slaughters ami outrage*, to the destruction almost of their conntries and people." (ftr Tcnoert (7oraW» Hut. of Svllurlmd, p. 186). An episode in this long continued and vindictive fend shows to what length the feelings of bitterness and cruelty engendered by it could be carried. To gain over to his side John Mnc Inn of Ardnamnrchan, who had been a suitor for the hnnd of his mother, the daughter nf the earl of Argyle. IjtrhUn Mnr. in l.SHR, invited him tn Mull, with the view to the prn|wi«ed alliance. M.ic lau swepted the invitstion, and W.im srrnninanied hy a retinue of the principal gentlemen of hi« tril>e. N'o perMiaaion, however, could indure liim to join again*! his own clan, the Macilonslds. FnrinuK nt hi* refusnl. Ijtrhlan Mnr. on the mnrriace night, cauned Mar I«n'» attendants, to the nnmher nf ID, to be maasacred; then, hunting into his bed chsmber. would have murdered himself, had not In* new* made wife interposed on his behalf, and for her sake hia tile was spared. With two of his followers, who had escaped the fate of their companions, he was thrown into a dungeon, and not released for a year afterwards, when he and other prisoners were exchanged for Maclean's son, and the other hostages in the hands of Angus Macdonald.

Previous to his liberation, however, with the assistance of a hundred Spanish soldiers belonging to the Florida, a ship of the Spanish Armada driven by a storm into the harbour of Tobermory in Mull, (.schlan Mot had ravaged and plundered the isles of Rom and Kig, occupied by the Clanranald, and those of Canna and Muck, belonging to the clan Ian. In this expedition he is said to have burned the whole inhabitants of these Isles, sparing neither age nor sex. On the mainland he besieged for three days Mac lan's castle of Mingarry in Ardnamurchan. The Macdonalds, on their side, assisted by a band of English mercenaries, wasted the lands of the Macleans with fire and sword.

The mutual ravages committed by the hostile clans, in which the kindred and vassal tribes on both sides were involved, and the effects of which were felt throughout the whole of the Hebrides, attracted, in 1589. the serious attention of the king and council, and for the purpose of putting an end to them, the rival chiefs, with Macdonald of Sleat, on receiving remissions, under the privy seal, for all the crimes committed by them, were induced to proceed to Edinburgh. On their arrival, they were committed prisoners to the castle, and, after some time, Maclean and Angus Macdonald were brought to trial, in spite of the remissions granted to them; one of the principal charges against them being their treasonable hiring of Spanish and English soldiers to fight in their private quarrels. Both chiefs submitted themselves to the king's mercy, and placed their lives and lands at his disposal. On payment each of a small fine they were allowed to return to the Isles. Macdonald of Sleat being released at the same time. Besides certain conditions being imposed upon them, they were taken bound to return to their confinement in the castle of Edinburgh, whenever they should he summoned, on twenty days' warning. Not fulfilling the conditions, they were, on 14th July 1593, cited to appear betore the privy council, and as they disobeyed the summons, both Lachlan M&r and Angus Macdonald were, in 1594, forfeited by par lament.

At the battle of Glenlivet, in that year, fought between the Catholic earls of Huntly, Angus, and Errol, on the one side, and the king's forces, under the earl of Argyle, on the other, I.acliltin Mur, at the head of the Macleans, particularly distinRui.-liiil himself. Argyle lost the battle, but, Mvs Mr. Gregory, (Hiylilfintli and Isles of Scotland, p. 259,) "the conduct of la" lil«n Maclean of Dowart, who was one of Argyle's officers, in this action, would, if imitated by the other leaders, have converted the defeat into a victory. That chief .t ;ed the part of a brave and skilful soldier, keeping his men in their ranks, and employing, with good effect, all the advantages of his position. It was his division which indicted the principal loss on the rebels, and, at the close of the action, he retired in good order with those under his command. It is said that, after the battle, he offered, if Argyle would give him five hundred men in addition to his own clan, to bring the earl of Huntly prisoner into Argyle's camp. This proposal was rejected, but having come to the ears of Huntly. incensed him greatly against Maclean, whose son afterwards, according to tradition, lost a large estate in Lochaber, through the animosity of that powerful nobleman."

In 1596 Iju-hlsn Mor repaired to court, and on making his tchmioion to the king, the act of forfeiture was removed. H» aluo there from the rro»n • lease of th* Kliinn* of

Isla, so long in dispute between him and Macdonald of Dunyveg. While thus at the head of favour, however, his unjust and oppressive conduct to the family of the Macleans of Coll, whose castle and island he had seized some years before, on the death of Hector Maclean, proprietor thereof, wu brought before the privy council by Lachlan Maclean, then of Coll, Hector's son, and the same year he was ordered to deliver up not only the castle of Coll, but all his own castles and strongholds, to the lieutenant of the Isles, on twenty-four hours' warning, also, to restore to Coll, within thirty days, all the lands of which he had deprived him, under a penalty of 10,000 merks. In 1598, Lachlan M6r, with the view of expelling the Macdonalds from Isla, levied his vassals and proceeded to that island, and after an ineffectual attempt at an adjustment of their differences, was encountered, on 5th August, at the head of Lochgruinard, by SirJames Macdonald, son of Angus, at the head of his clan, when the Maclean* were defeated, and their chief killed, with 80 of his principal men and 200 common soldiers. Lachlan Barrach Maclean, a son of Sir Lachlan, was dangerously wounded, but escaped Sir Lachlan, according to Sir Robert Gordon, had consulted a witch before he undertook this journey into Islam she advised him, in the first place, not to land upon the island on a Thursday; secondly, that he should not drink of the water of a well near Gruinard; and lastly, she told him that one Maclean should be slain at Gruinard. "The first he transgressed unwillingly," says Sir Robert, "being driven into the island of Isla by a tempest upon a Thursday; the second he transgressed negligentlie, having drank of that water before he wen awair; and so he was killed ther at Groinard, aa wes foretold him, bot doubtfullie. Thus endelh all these that doe trust in such kynd of responcea, or doe hunt after them." (Hist. p. 238.)

Hector Maclean, the son and successor of Sir Lachlan. at the head of a numerous force, afterwards invaded Isla, and attacked and defeated the Macdonalds at a place called Bern tiige, and then ravaged the whole island. He was one of the principal chiefs of the Isles seized by Lord Ochiltree, the king's lieutenant, on his expedition to the Isles in 1608, and carried to Edinburgh. The following year he and Macdouald of Dunyveg were selected to accompany the king's commissioner on his survey of the Isles. With two of his brothers, and Hector Maclean of Ixwhbuy, and almost all the principal islesmen, he was present at lona when the celebrated "Statutes of Icolmkill" were enacted. He was also one of the six principal islanders who met at Edinburgh on 28th June 1610, to hear his majesty's pleasure declared to them, when they were compelled to give sureties to a large amount for their reappearance before the council in May 1611. In the conditions imposed upon the chiefs for the pacification of the Isles in 1616, we find that Maclean of Dowart was not to use in his house more than four tun of wine, and Coll and Lochbny one tun each. At this time Maclean of Dowart and his brother Lachlan, having delayed to find the sureties required of them, were committed to ward in Edinburgh castle, whence the former was soon liberated, and allowed to live with Acheson of Gosfurd, his father-in-law, under his own recognisance of £40,000, and his father-inlaw's for 5,000 marks that he should remain there until permitted by the council to return to the Isles. Dowart's brother was not liberated till the following year.

Sir (.achlan Maclean of Morveni, a younger brother of Hector Maclean of Dowart, was in 1631 created a baronet of Nova Scotia by Charles I., and on the death of his elder brother he succeeded to the estate of Dowart. In the civil wars i the Mm leans took anus under Muntnne, and fought valiantly b* taa rural cause At the battle of Inverloch*, 2d February lMa. Sir Laehlan commanded bis clan. He was also -■*C*C*d ra the subsequent battles of the royalist general. Sr Hector Mat Iran, his son. with 800 of his followers, was at the battle of Inverkeithing, 20th July 1651. when the royataaa were opposed to the troops of Oliver CromwelL On ttsa srottan an instance of devoted attachment to the chief wa» «b> *n on the part of the Macleans. In the heat of the t*:x --, Sir Hector was covered from the enemy's attacks by ■m brothers of his elan, all of whom successively sacrificed i *w live* m his defence. Each brother, as he fell, exclaimed, "/oar tiit air ton £achainn," 'Another for Kaehann,' or H«etar, sad a fresh one stepping in, answered. ** tiatt air ton fassiaasas,'* ' Death for Kaehann.' The former phrase, Rays Gaaaral Stewart, has continued ever since to be a proverb or *aic>iw©vd, when a man encounters any sudden danger that rw^eirea instant succour. Sir Hector, however, was left among law siasn, with abuut 600 v( his followers.

TS* Dowiri estates had become deeply involved in debt, aad the marquis of Argyle, by pnrrhasing them up, had nceaared a claim against the lands of Maclean, which ultimately hrrf to the greater portion of them becoming the property af tavat grasping family. In 1674, after the execution of the aiavaaie, payment was insisted npon by his son, the earl. TW tator of Maclean, the chief, his nephew, being a minor, •waded the* demand for a considerable time, and at length lit ion to resist it by force. Argyle had re> to legal proceedings, and supported by s I tody of 2,000 •"arrfi*;!*, he crossed into Mull, where he took possession of !r* eaatJ*- of Dowart. and placed a garrison in it. 'Hie Mae<-*-• KoT^ver, refused to pay their rents to the earl, and in he prerwred for a second invasion of Mull. To the Mardooaids came to the aid of the Maclean*, wet Argyats ships were driven back by a storm, when he ap>*i to government, and even went to Tendon, to ask assistsaat from the king. Lord Macdonald and other friends af taw Macieana followed him, and laid a state of the dispute M-«e Charie*. who. in February 167G, remitted the matter to tan* karda of the Scottish privy council. No decision, come to by them, snd Argyle Whs allowed to of the island of Mull without resistance in Its*

Anas* the Rerolotion, a party of Maclean*, under their •%w/. Sir John Maclean, fonrth bamnet on their way to join r«Maasat Dundee, were surprised in Strathspey, by a party af atatsay's dragoons, under SirThomas Livingston, when rsey threw away their plaids, and formed on an adjoining kZ. la the skirmish that ensued, they sustained a loss of as «r Its) men. At the battle of Killiecrankie, Sir John Kasaaea, with hie regiment, was placed on Dundee's right. ci rrwnr the tronpt* on his left was a battalion tinder SirAWxaearr Ms«-:rt«, The Macleans were amongst the Hijrh-««>ri sarpruwd and defeated at Cromdale in 1690. The '>**xt day. a party of Macleans and Camerons, who had n as ft<ht separated from their companions in arms, cros«t*d taw Seey. bat being pursued by some of firingston s men, •are everuken and dispersed on the moor of (Jranish near Avaaaare. where some of them were killed. Subsequently, tW aart af ArgrW invaded Mull, with 1.900 foot snd 60 drafaaaat when tf** inhabitants took the oaths of allegiance to ■-?* r»*errrmmi_ and deli\rred np their arms. Mr John V* *-*aa tiaMeif. with a few of his friends, took refuge in the Wt af Carsabwrgfa, ana of the Treshnish isles, where a party W Mahassa, eannr the civil wars, had held out, for some *aa>. arataat a detachment of Cromwell'* threes.

U uw leairnai «f 1715. the Macleans ranged themselves

I under the standard of the enrl of Mar, and were present s? the battle of Sheriffmuir. For his share in the insurrection Sir John Maclean, the chief, was forfeited, but the estates were sfterwards restored to the family. On the breaking out of the rebellion of 1745, Sir John's son. Sir Hector Maclean, the fifth baronet, was apprehended, with his servant, at Edinburgh, and conveyed to I^ondon. He wss not set nt liberty till the passing of the act of indemnity in June 1747. At Culloden, however, 500 of his clan fought for Prince Charles, under Maclean of Driranin, who was filain lesding them on. Sir Hector died, unmarried, at Paris, in 1750, when the thle devolved upon his third cousin, the remainder being to heirs male whatsoever. This third cousin, Sir Allan Maclean, was great-grandson of Donald Maclean of Brolas, eldest son, by his second marriage, of Hector Maclean of Dowart, the father of the first baronet. Sir Allan married Anne, daughter of Hector Maclean of Coll, and had three daughters, the eldest of whom, Msria. became the wife of Maclean of KinIttchaline, and the second, Sibella, of Maclean of Inverscadell. In 1773, when Dr. Johnson and Mr. Boswell visited the Hebrides, Sir Allan was chief of the clan. He resided at that time on Inchkenneth, one of his smaller islands, in the district of Mull, where he entertained his visitors very hospitably. "This island," says Dr. Johnson, "is about a mile long, and perhaps h«lf-M-milc broad, remarkable for pleasantness and fertility, ha only inhabitants were SirAllan Maclean and two young ladies, his daughters, with their sen-ants. Romance does not often exhibit a scene that strikes the imagination more than this little desert, in these depths of westeni obscurity, occupied not by a gross herdsman, or amphibious fisherman, but by a gentleman and two ladies, of high birth, polished manners, and elegant conversation, who, in a habitation raised not very far above the ground, but furnished with unexpected neatness mid convenience, practised all the kindness of hospitality and refinement of courtesy.*' From the following anecdote it would appear that the feeling of devotion to the chief had survived the heritable abolition act of 1747, if indeed the passing of auch an act was at nil generally known in 1773 among the humbler inhabitant of the remote Hebrides. "The Macinnises are said to be a branch of the clan of Maclean. Sir Allan had been told that one of the name had refused to send him wnne rum. at which the knight was in great indtptation. 'You rascal!' Mid he, 'don't ymi know that 1 ran hang you. if I please? Refuse to send rum to me, you rascal! Don't ymi know that if I order you to go and cut a man's throat, you are to do it?* 'Yes. an't please your honour, and my own too. and hang myself too!' The poor fellow denied that be had refused to send the ruin. His making these professions was not merely a pretence in presence of his chief, for, after he and I were out of Sir Allans bearing, he told me. ' Had he sent his dog for the rum, I would have given it: I would cut my bones for him.' Sir Allan, by way of upbraiding the fellow, aaid, 'I believe you sre s Campbell!'"

Dying without male isMie in 178!!, Sir Allan was succreilod by his .kinsman. Sir Hector. 7th baronet; on whose dratli, Nov. 2. 1818, his brother. I jeut.-general Sir Fitxroy Jeflfry Grafton Maclean, became the 8th baronet He died July 6, 1847, leaving two sons. Sir Charles Fitarny Maclean of M»rvem, and Donald Maclean, of the chancery bar. at one period a member of parliament Sir Charles. 9th baronet, a colonel in the army. (1846) commanded the 81st foot for some time, ami was enlwquently military secretary at Gibraltar. He man ied a daughter of the Hon. and ReY. Jacob Marshara, uncle of the earl of Rnmney; issue, a son. Charles Donald, capt. 13th dragoons, and 4 d-uigi.icra; one, Fanny, mamed

The first of the Lochbuy branch of the Macleans was Hector Regan ach, hrother of Ijichlan Lnhanach above mentioned. He had a son named John, or Mnrchard, whose great-grandson, John <>g Macl**an of l-ochhuy, received from King James IV., several charters of confirmation under the great seal, of the lands and baronies which had been held by his progenitors. He was killed, with his two elder sons, in a family fend with the Macleans of Dowart. His only surviving son, Murdoch, was obliged, in consequence of the same feud, to retire to Ireland, where lie remained for several years, and married a daughter of the earl of Antrim. By the mediation of his father-in law, his differences with Dowart were satisfactorily adjusted, and he retnmed to the isles, where he spent his latter years in peace. His son, John Mor Maclean of I/>chbuy, was so expert a fencer that, according to a history of the family, he fought on a stage in Fdinburgh before the king and court, and killed a famous Italian swordsman, who had challenged nil Scotland. By his wife, a daughter of Mnrdonald of the Isles, he had two sons. Hector, who succeeded him, and Charles, progenitor of the Macleans of Tapull. Fmm the latter family descended Sir Alexander Maclean of Ottar, mentioned in the preceding ,>j<ge, who attached himself to the interest* of James VII. He accompanied the fallen monarch to France, and rose to -he rank of colonel in the French service.

The house of I^oehbuy has always maintained that of the two brothers, I-ichlan I.ubanach and Hector Reganach, the latter was the senior, and that, consequently, the chiefship of the Macleans is vested in its head; •* but this,** says Mr. Gregory, "is a point on which there is no certain evidence." The whole clan, at different pori'tds, have followed the head jf both families to the field, and f'«ught tinder their command. Of this house was Hector Maclean, elected bishop of Argyle in 16K0. He had in his younger years taken arms for the king in the civil wnrs, but Wing of a religious disposition be ultimately entered the church. The Lochbuy family now spella its name Maclaine.

The Coll branch of the Macleans. like that of Dowart, de*cended from Lachlan Lubanach, Mid to have been grandfather of the fourth laird of Dowart and the first laird of Coll, who were brothers. John Maclean, surnamed Garbh, ■ton of Lachlan of Dowart, obtained the isle of Coll and the lands of Quintan in Mull from Alexander, earl of Ross and l'<rd of the Islea, and afterwards, on the forfeiture of Cameron. the landa of Ixxrhiel. The latter grant engendered, as we hare seen, a deadly feud between the Camerons and the Macleans, which led to much contention and bloodshed between them. At one time the son and successor of John Garbh occupied Lochiel by force, but was killed in a conflict with the Camerons at Corpach, in the reign ot James III. His infant sun would also have been put to death, had the boy not been saved by the Macgillonies or Macalonidax a tribe af Lochaber that generally followed the clan Cameron. This youth, subsequently known as John Ahrach Maclean of Colt was the representative of the finily in 1493. and from him was adopted by his successors the patronymic appellation of Marlean Ahrach, by which the lairds of Coll were ever after di*tin£U -h< d.

The tradition concerning this heir of Coll is thus related hv Dr. Johnson, in his Tour to the Hel«rides: "Very near the house of Maclean stands the c.i«tle of Coll, which was the mansion of the laird nil the Wis* was bu"It. On the wall

was, not long ago, a stone with an inscription, importing, 'That if any man of the clan of Macalonioh shall appeu before this castle, though he come at midnight with a man'i head in his hand, be shall there find safety and protection against all but the king' This is an old Highland treaty made upon a memorable occasion. Maclean, the son of John Garbh. who recovered Coll, and conquered Barra, bad obtained, it is said, from James II.. a grant of the lands of Lochiel, forfeited, I suppose, by some offence against th« state. Forfeited estates were not in those days quietly resigned: Msclean, therefore, went with an armed force to seize his new possessions, and, I know not for what reason, tnok his wife with him. The Camerons rose in defence of their chief, and a battle was fought at the head of Locbneaa, near the place where Fort Augustus now stands, in which Lochiel obtained the victory, and Maclean, with his followers, was defeated and destroyed. The lady fell into the hands of the conquerors, and being found pregnant, was placed in the custody of Macalonkh, one of a tribe or family branched from Cameron, with orders, if she brought a boy, to destroy him, if a girl, to spare her. Macalonich'a wife, who was with child likewise, had a girt about the same time at which I-ady Maclean lirought a ooy; and Macalonich. with more generosity to his captive than 6delity to his trust, contrived that the children should be changed. Macleanbeing thus preserved from death, in time recovered his original patrimony, and in gratitude to his friend, made his castle a place of refuge to any of the clan that should think himself in danger, Miki, as a proof of reciprocal confidence, Maclean took npon himself and his posterity the care of educating the heir of Macalonich. This story, like all other traditions of the Highlands, is variously related; but, though some circumstances are uncertain, the principal fact is true. Maclean undoubtedly owed his preservation to Macalonich; forthetreaty between the two families has been strictly observed; it did not sink into disuse and oblivion, but continued m its full force while the chieftains retained their power. The power of protection subsists no longer; but what the law permits ia yet continued, and Maclean of Coll now educates the heir of Macalonich."

The account of the convention of the simple inlander* of Coll from popery to protestantism is curious. The laird had imbibed the principles of the Reformation, hut found has people reluctant to abandon the religion of their fathers. To compel them to do so, he did not trouble himself with arjjumeiit or reasoning of any sort, but took his station on* Sunday in the path which led to the Roman Catholic church. and as his clansmen approached, he drove them back with his cane. They at once made their way to the protectant place of worship, and from this persnasive mode of conver-i..n, his vassals ever after called it the religion of the ffo4dh**aded stick. I-achlan, the seventh proprietor of Coll, went over to Holland with some of his own men. in the re-ign of Charles II., and obtained the command of a compwmr rn General Markay's regiment, in the service of the prince of Orange. He ntterwiirds returned to Scotland, and was drowned in the water of l.ochy in I>ochsher in 16e7.

Dr. Johnson m-eins to have been especially gratified with hia reception at Coll. ** We were at Coll." he nays, "andrr the protection of the young laird, and wherever we rv*ve«i, we were pleaaed to see the reverence with which his awhjeeta regarded him. He did not endeavour to dazzle them trr atnv magnificence of dress; his only distinction was a fe»th*r nrt his bonnet, but. as soon as he appeared, thev forsook taett work *nd clustered ah nit him; he took them by the hami. ami thev seemed mutiuilly delighted. He ha* the propev

i of ■ chieftain, and seems desirous to continue the »*«f* "f hi* boo**. Th* bagpiper plated regularly when I'«mt wa* tarred, whose parson and dress made a good ap**^»«, and be bought Do disgrace upon the family nf aUstcna, which baa long sunr>li*d the laird* of Coll with here«jt*r» sawsic." Aa an instance of the eipenee which attend*4 the funeral of person* of distinction in the western isles, W ataia* that nineteen years before hut visit, thirty cows and sorest fifty aheep wen killed at the burial of the laird of Coll. •» frwa* «m the concourse of persons present at it. From Cast th*) teuwaUen were conducted by the young laird to Mull. ["Hw. and Sir AQaa Maclean's at Inch-Kenneth. The young i*rd mi CoiJ, soon afUr perished in the passage between Ulva *aj Inch-Kenneth, Col. Hugh Maclean. London, the Inst *rd o/ Coil, of that name, was the 16th in regular descent bass John Garbh, ton of Ijmchlan Lnbanach.

Taw Ardgour branch of the Macleans, which held its Ian.Is svwetry from tJie lord of the Isles, descended from Donald. ■aether aon of I^iichlan, 3d laird of Dowart. The estate of ArdgwoT, whidi ia in Argyleshire, had previously belonged to • &nVr*nt tnbe (Lb* Macmasten), but it was conferred w«* Donald, either by Alexander, earl of Boss, or by his son a»i monstnr, John. In 1463. Ewen or Eugene, aon of Donald, a**i to* office of seneschal of the household to the Istter earl; a^d m 1433. Lachlan Macewen Maclean was laird of Ardgour. 4«sjsed*r Maclean, Kaq.. the present laird of Ardgour, is the !«.. frwn fattier to son. His numerous brothers are colonels as taw araarr. Two of tl»*m are in the myal artillery.

of Mac (jturrie of Mac CJuarrie, chief of Ulva, after serving with distinction in India and the Peninsular war, was knighted for his defence of Fort Matagorda tor 55 days, with only 155 men againxt 8,000 men under .Marshal Soult.

	This work is in the public domain in its country of origin and other countries and areas where the copyright term is the author's life plus 70 years or fewer. This work is in the public domain in the United States because it was published (or registered with the U.S. Copyright Office) before January 1, 1929.
This file has been identified as being free of known restrictions under copyright law, including all related and neighboring rights.

https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/PDMCreative Commons Public Domain Mark 1.0falsefalse