Clan MacDonald of Keppoch ( gd, Clann Dòmhnaill na Ceapaich ), also known as Clan Ranald of Lochaber or Clan MacDonell of Keppoch'','' is a Highland Scottish clan and a branch of

Clan Donald Clan Donald, also known as Clan MacDonald ( gd, Clann Dòmhnaill; Mac Dòmhnaill ), is a Highland Scottish clan and one of the largest Scottish clans. The Lord Lyon King of Arms, the Scottish official with responsibility for regulating heraldry i ...

. The progenitor of the clan is Alistair Carrach MacDonald, 4th great-grandson of the warrior Somerled and the

Lords of the Isles The Lord of the Isles or King of the Isles ( gd, Triath nan Eilean or ) is a title of Scottish nobility with historical roots that go back beyond the Kingdom of Scotland. It began with Somerled in the 12th century and thereafter the title w ...

. The MacDonalds of Keppoch occupied the territories of Keppoch and Lochaber between

Loch Linnhe Loch Linnhe () is a sea loch on the west coast of Scotland. The part upstream of Corran is known in Gaelic as (the black pool, originally known as Loch Abar), and downstream as (the salty pool). The name ''Linnhe'' is derived from the Gaelic w ...

and

Loch Leven Loch Leven may refer to: ;Bodies of water in Scotland * Loch Leven (Kinross), a freshwater loch in Perth and Kinross ** Loch Leven Castle, a fortress on the loch ** William Douglas of Lochleven, later the 6th Earl of Morton * Loch Leven (Highlands) ...

, which are located in Inverness-shire. The clan chief is traditionally designated as "son of Ranald's son" ( Scottish Gaelic: ''Mac Mhic Raonuill''). The clan was notorious for their reputation for lawlessness, frequent cattle raids and territory conflicts with neighboring clans, particularly with their rivals, Clan MacKintosh. The MacDonalds of Keppoch took part in various clan conflicts throughout the centuries to protect their lands from aggressive forces. The MacDonalds of Keppoch supported the Jacobite cause for the House of Stuart in the 17th and 18th centuries, playing a prominent and significant role during the Jacobite uprisings of

1689 Events January–March * January 22 (January 12, 1688 O.S.) – Glorious Revolution in England: The Convention Parliament is convened to determine if King James II of England, the last Roman Catholic British monarch, vacated th ...

1715 Events For dates within Great Britain and the British Empire, as well as in the Russian Empire, the "old style" Julian calendar was used in 1715, and can be converted to the "new style" Gregorian calendar (adopted in the British Empire i ...

, and later during the infamous Jacobite Uprising of 1745. Clan MacDonald of Keppoch has a chief that is recognized by the

Court of the Lord Lyon The Court of the Lord Lyon (the Lyon Court) is a standing court of law, based in New Register House in Edinburgh, which regulates heraldry in Scotland. The Lyon Court maintains the register of grants of arms, known as the Public Register of All A ...

, and the Lord Lyon King of Arms, who is the heraldic authority in Scotland.

History of the MacDonalds of Keppoch

Origins

Further information:

and

Lord of the Isles The Lord of the Isles or King of the Isles ( gd, Triath nan Eilean or ) is a title of Scottish nobility with historical roots that go back beyond the Kingdom of Scotland. It began with Somerled in the 12th century and thereafter the title w ...

The MacDonalds of Keppoch are one of the branch clans of

—one of the largest Scottish clans. The eponymous ancestor of Clan Donald is Donald, son of

Reginald Reginald is a masculine given name in the English language. Etymology and history The meaning of Reginald is “King". The name is derived from the Latin ''Reginaldus'', which has been influenced by the Latin word ''regina'', meaning "queen". Th ...

, son of Somerled. Somerled, son of Gillebride was a 12th century Norse–Gaelic leader and warrior who fancied himself as "King of the Isles" and "King of Argyll". Through marital alliance and ambitious military conquest, Somerled rose in prominence to create the Kingdom of Mann and the Isles. Traditional genealogies suggest Somerled is a descendent of various Irish legendary figures. Historians and scholars, however, are skeptical and dubious of Somerled's genealogical royal origins, nor the credibility of Somerled's eventual rise to power. Lochaber was one of the many territories that Robert the Bruce gifted to his friend,

Aonghus Óg of Islay Aonghus Óg Mac Domhnaill (died 1314 × 1318/ 1330), or Angus Og MacDonald, was a fourteenth-century Scottish magnate and chief of Clann Domhnaill. He was a younger son of Aonghus Mór mac Domhnaill, Lord of Islay. After the latter's apparent ...

, who fought alongside Bruce during the First War of Scottish Independence, including the successful

Battle of Bannockburn The Battle of Bannockburn ( gd, Blàr Allt nam Bànag or ) fought on June 23–24, 1314, was a victory of the army of King of Scots Robert the Bruce over the army of King Edward II of England in the First War of Scottish Independence. It was ...

in 1314. Aonghus Óg's loyalty to Bruce's claim for the Scottish crown and military services would signify a lasting legacy, in which his own clan became Lords of the Isles. MacDonald of the Isles (MacIan)

The MacDonalds of Keppoch are descended from Alistair Carrach MacDonald who was a younger son of ''Good'' John of Islay, Lord of the Isles, 6th chief of

and his second wife Margaret Stewart, daughter of King Robert II of Scotland. John of Islay, Lord of the Isles, apportioned his estates between the children of his two marriages in accordance with the marriage settlement of his father-in-law Robert II of Scotland and the Lordship of Lochaber was given to Alistair Carrach MacDonald who was the third and youngest son from his second marriage. Alistair Carrach MacDonald was the first MacDonald of Keppoch and Garragach. The MacDonalds of Keppoch retained an ancient Celtic tradition of electing their chiefs through the ''derbfine'', a system where patrilineal leaderships are defined through power structures within their clan and kinships. These chiefs would inherit property based on previous land owners in the Highlands.

15th century

Alistair Carrach MacDonald of Keppoch took an active part in supporting his brother,

Domhnall of Islay, Lord of the Isles Donald, Lord of the Isles ( gd, Dómhnall; died 1423), was the son and successor of John of Islay, Lord of the Isles and chief of Clan Donald. The Lordship of the Isles was based in and around the Scottish west-coast island of Islay, but under ...

, in claiming the

Earldom of Ross The Earl or Mormaer of Ross was the ruler of the province of Ross in northern Scotland. Origins and transfers In the early Middle Ages, Ross was part of the vast earldom of Moray. It seems to have been made a separate earldom in the mid 12 ...

. The result was that upon the death of Domhnall, Lord of the Isles in 1425 the Lordship of Lochaber was forfeited to the Crown and then the Crown bestowed it on the natural son of Stewart, Earl of Mar. This grant was later cancelled but the Lordship of Lochaber did not revert to Alistair Carrach MacDonald but instead was given to the Lord of the Isles who subsequently granted the lands of Lochaber to the chief of Clan Mackintosh and this was confirmed by the Crown. However, the superiority remained with the Lord of the Isles who did restore it to Alistair Carrach MacDonald of Keppoch. However, this arrangement was never confirmed by the Crown and upon the forfeiture of the Lord of the Isles in 1493, Angus MacDonald, 2nd of Keppoch had to maintain his position in Lochaber by force. It was defended for two and a half centuries and it was not until the downfall of the clan immediately after the

Battle of Culloden The Battle of Culloden (; gd, Blàr Chùil Lodair) was the final confrontation of the Jacobite rising of 1745. On 16 April 1746, the Jacobite army of Charles Edward Stuart was decisively defeated by a British government force under Prince Wi ...

in 1746 that Mackintosh become the real Lord of Lochaber. In 1480 or 1483, The third chief, Donald Angusson MacDonald, 3rd Laird of Keppoch led the MacDonalds of Keppoch to fight alongside Aonghas Óg MacDonald against his father, John of Islay, Earl of Ross at the

Battle of Bloody Bay The Battle of Bloody Bay, or Blàr Bàgh na Fala in Scottish Gaelic, was a naval battle fought near Tobermory, Scotland. It was fought on the coast of Mull north of Tobermory, between John MacDonald of Islay, the Lord of the Isles and chie ...

, after which, Aonhgas Óg emerged victorious. However, the Lordship of the Isles was forfeited in 1493. Donald Angusson of Keppoch, paid tribute to

James IV of Scotland James IV (17 March 1473 – 9 September 1513) was King of Scotland from 11 June 1488 until his death at the Battle of Flodden in 1513. He inherited the throne at the age of fifteen on the death of his father, James III, at the Battle of Sauchi ...

at Mingary Castle. Nevertheless, Donald continued to defy the royal Scottish crown and in 1497, his title and lands were forfeited. Donald was issued a royal summons, but never appeared — Donald Angusson MacDonald would be killed fighting the Stewarts of Appin. The fourth chief, Ian Aluinn, was deposed after a short time. He had surrendered a thief to the Macintoshes, who were considered blood enemies of the MacDonalds. The clan next elected the grandson of Alistair Carrach, Alexander who was soon killed in an ambush. His son, Donald Glass, fared better and built the original Castle Keppoch in Lochaber. In 1497 or 1498 the Clan MacDonald of Keppoch defeated the Clan Stewart of Appin and the Clan MacLaren at the

Battle of Black Mount The Battle of Black Mount, was a Scottish clan battle that took place in 1497 or 1498, in Black Mount which is between Glen Orchy and Glen Coe in the Scottish Highlands. The battle was fought between the Clan Stewart of Appin and their allies the ...

in which both the chiefs of Appin and Keppoch were killed.

16th century

The next chief, Ranald Mor, 7th chief of Keppoch, was a principle supporter of

John Moidartach of Clanranald John is a common English name and surname: * John (given name) * John (surname) John may also refer to: New Testament Works * Gospel of John, a title often shortened to John * First Epistle of John, often shortened to 1 John * Second ...

and was present at the Battle of the Shirts, supporting 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. Ranald Mor and Ewen Allanson of Lochiel were tried and imprisoned at

Elgin, Moray Elgin (; sco, Ailgin; gd, Eilginn, ) is a town (former cathedral city) and formerly a Royal Burgh in Moray, Scotland. It is the administrative and commercial centre for Moray. The town originated to the south of the River Lossie on the higher gr ...

for the slaughter of

Hugh Fraser, 3rd Lord Lovat Hugh Fraser, 3rd Lord Lovat (c. 1494 – 15 July 1544) was a Scottish peer and Chief of Clan Fraser of Lovat from 1524 until 1544. Biography Fraser was the eldest son of Thomas Fraser, 2nd Lord Lovat (died 1524) and Janet Gordon, daughter ...

eventually executed in 1547 for their part in the murder of Lord Lovat. It is said that Keppoch's wife, who was a sister of Mackintosh, implored a prayer of vengeance upon her brother, and prayed that for many generations to come a son should not succeed his father in the succession of the Mackintosh Chiefs. From Ranald Mor the line of chiefs would eventually adopt their later patronomyc of the Gaelic "Mac Mhic Raotiuill", meaning "son of Ranall's son". His son, Alistair Boloyne died of wounds gained during a clan raid against the Clan Cameron. Ranald Og (d. 1587) was an exception for his loyalty to the crown and to the regent Moray.

17th century

The 8th chief, Alexander nan Cleas of Keppoch, was reputed to be a sorcerer, which led to him be given the nickname, “Nan cleas”, meaning “the tricky”. Weather sources say that this claim was true or not, Alexander was guilty of many serious crimes including “slaughters” and “burnings”. He was granted a remission in 1608, but he was eventually forced to flee Scotland to Spain after he helped

Sir James MacDonald, 9th of Dunnyveg Sir James MacDonald, 9th of Dunnyveg ( gd, Séamus Mac Dòmhnuill) (died 1626), was the last chief of Clan MacDonald of Dunnyveg or Clan Donald South. He was most often known as James ''M'Connall'' from the Gaelic pronunciation of the name ''Mac ...

escape from Edinburg Castle. He only returned after he offered James VI secret information on an impending Spanish invasion. Alexander was even granted a pension and lived out the rest of his days in peace. Ranald MacDonald of Keppoch (d. 1640) was a supporter of Charles I in the Civil War. This led to a personal feud with the Earl of Argyll, a stout Presbyterian, who invaded Lochaber and razed Castle Keppoch. Over the next few years, Ranald’s younger brother, Donald Glass took revenge by plundering Argyll with the forces of the Marquess of Montrose. Alexander MacDonald, 12th of Keppoch, along with his brother was slain in 1663 in what is known as the

Keppoch murders The Keppoch Murders ( gd, Murt na Ceapaich) is the name given to the murders of Alexander MacDonald, 12th of Keppoch and his brother Ranald by rival claimants to the chieftainship of the MacDonalds of Keppoch. The murders took place on September ...

. The heads of the seven murderers were washed at ''Tobair-nan-ceann'' ( Scottish Gaelic for the "Well of Heads"), before presentation to the Lord MacDonell of Invergarry.

Jacobite Uprising of 1689

In 1688, the Mackintoshes, supported by Clan Chattan and the government of James II of England, made one final attempt to take Lochaber from the MacDonalds of Keppoch. This resulted in the Battle of Mulroy — considered the last private battle between Highland clans. The young chief,

Coll MacDonald, 16th of Keppoch Coll Macdonald, 16th of Keppoch (c.1664-1729), was a Scottish clan chief and prominent Jacobite, active in both the 1715 Jacobite rebellion and Dundee's rising of 1689. He was chief of the Macdonalds of Keppoch, holding land in Lochaber. He is ...

, led his men against a force of 1,000 men led by

Kenneth Mackenzie of Suddie Captain Kenneth Mackenzie, 2nd of Suddie was a Scottish soldier who was killed at the Battle of Mulroy in 1688 whilst commanding Government troops against rebel Scottish clans. Lineage He was the son of Alexander Mackenzie, 1st of Suddie and his ...

. Although the clan was outnumbered, the MacDonalds of Keppoch won the battle and MacKenzie of Suddie was killed. Coll went on to raid the Mackintosh lands. Later, Coll’s clansmen joined the Jacobite cause and fought for Viscount Dundee. During the Jacobite rising of 1689, the MacDonalds of Keppoch laid siege to the town of Inverness. Later on, the MacDonalds of Keppoch later fought at the Battle of Killiecrankie. Noted in the Black-book of Taymouth that in 1681 a bond of manrent was given by Gilleasba, chief of Keppoch, to John Glas, first

Earl of Breadalbane Earl of Breadalbane and Holland is a title in the Peerage of Scotland. It was created in 1681 for Sir John Campbell, 5th Baronet, of Glenorchy, who had previously been deprived of the title Earl of Caithness. Creation Sir John, as a princi ...

; ''"such as Ceppoch's predecessors gave to the Earl's predecessors."'' binding Keppoch ''"to restrain all the inhabitants of Brae-Lochaber, and all of the name of Macdonell, from committing robberies within the Earl's bounds."'' RR McIan -

18th century

Jacobite Uprising of 1715

During the Jacobite rising of 1715 the Clan MacDonald of Keppoch were indirectly involved in the siege of Inverness (1715). General Wade's report on the Highlands in 1724, estimated the clan strength at 220 men. Coll MacDonald and his clansmen would eventually fight for the Jacobites at the Battle of Sheriffmuir. After the Jacobite Rising of 1715 failed, Coll MacDonald suffered exile in France for a time, but retained his power after the Rising, eventually dying in 1729.

Jacobite Uprising of 1745

During the Jacobite rising of 1745, the

Chief Chief may refer to: Title or rank Military and law enforcement * Chief master sergeant, the ninth, and highest, enlisted rank in the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force * Chief of police, the head of a police department * Chief of the boa ...

Alexander Macdonald, 17th of Keppoch Alexander Macdonald, 17th of Keppoch (died 1746) was a Scottish clan chief, military officer, and prominent Jacobite who took part in both the 1715 and 1745 Jacobite risings. He was killed at the Battle of Culloden leading a regiment composed ...

, was among the men who attacked British Government soldiers who were preparing a surprise assault on the Glenfinnan gathering at what is now known as the

Highbridge Skirmish The Highbridge Skirmish was the first engagement of the Jacobite Rising of 1745 between government troops and Jacobites loyal to Prince Charles Edward Stuart. It took place at Highbridge, Lochaber, on the River Spean on 16 August 1745, and mar ...

. This was the first strike on the government during the 1745 rising. The MacDonalds of Keppoch were also involved in the siege of Fort William in March 1746. Alexander, 17th Chief of Keppoch, was later killed in action during the

in 1746. Among the Keppoch Jacobites to suffer the supreme penalty after the defeat of the Uprising was Major Donald MacDonald, the Tacksman of Tir na Dis near Spean Bridge, who was executed at

Carlisle Carlisle ( , ; from xcb, Caer Luel) is a city that lies within the Northern England, Northern English county of Cumbria, south of the Anglo-Scottish border, Scottish border at the confluence of the rivers River Eden, Cumbria, Eden, River C ...

in October 1746. Before his death, however, the Major stated, "I die a member of the Holy Roman Catholic Church in the Communion of which I have lived... And I here declare, upon the faith of a dying man, that it was with no view to establishing that church or religion in this nation that I joined the Prince, but purely out of duty and allegiance to our only rightful, lawful, and native sovereign, due to him had he been a heathen,

Mahomedan ''Mohammedan'' (also spelled ''Muhammadan'', ''Mahommedan'', ''Mahomedan'' or ''Mahometan'') is a term for a follower of Muhammad, the Islamic prophet. It is used as both a noun and an adjective, meaning belonging or relating to, either Muham ...

, or even a

Quaker Quakers are people who belong to a historically Protestant Christian set of Christian denomination, denominations known formally as the Religious Society of Friends. Members of these movements ("theFriends") are generally united by a belie ...

." Alexander was succeeded by his son, Ranald, the 18th Chief, followed by his son, Richard (19th Chief). The chiefship would become dormant in 1848 with the death of Chichester, the 21st Chief.

20th century

John de Lotbinière MacDonald (c. 1857 – 1935), paternal grandson of

John MacDonald of Garth John MacDonald of Garth (1771 – 25 January 1866) was a colourful character involved in the Canadian fur trade. He was an enthusiastic duellist and a shrewd businessman who became a partner in the North West Company and a member of the Beaver C ...

was the 22nd clan chief. Maternally, his grandfather was

Robert Unwin Harwood Robert Unwin Harwood (January 22, 1798 – April 12, 1863) was the last ''seigneur'' of Vaudreuil, commanding officer of the Vaudreuil Militia, and for thirty years a political figure in Lower Canada and Canada East. Arrival in Canada Har ...

, and

Michel-Eustache-Gaspard-Alain Chartier de Lotbinière Michel-Eustache-Gaspard-Alain Chartier de Lotbinière (August 31, 1748 – January 1, 1822), 2nd Marquis de Lotbinière, though to keep political favour with the British he never used the title. He was seigneur of Vaudreuil, Lotbinière and ...

was his great-grandfather. The next chief wasn't acknowledged until 13 September 2006 when Ranald Alasdair MacDonald of Keppoch was acknowledged as the lawful chief by the Lyon Court, following a 30-year fight for the right to use the ancient title of ''Mac Mhic Raonuill''. His descent from Donald Gorm, younger brother of Archibald 15th Chief (c. 1680) was accepted by the Court.

Clan Castle

The seat of the chief of the Clan MacDonald of Keppoch was originally at Keppoch Castle which was near to Spean Bridge in Lochaber. In 1690 it passed to the Mackintoshes. The lands were then disputed with the Mackintoshes, with the last clan battle being fought here. The castle itself had been demolished in 1663 after the

Crest

The crest badge is suitable for members of the Keppoch MacDonald clan to wear, which consists of the heraldic crest and

slogan A slogan is a memorable motto or phrase used in a clan, political slogan, political, Advertising slogan, commercial, religious, and other context as a repetitive expression of an idea or purpose, with the goal of persuading members of the publi ...

. The crest is: ''a golden eagle with outspread wings wearing a crown''. The slogan within the crest badge is ''AIR MUIR'S AIR TIR'', which translates from Scottish Gaelic as "''By Sea By Land''".

Tartan

The MacDonald of Keppoch tartan colours are red, dark green, navy and sky blue. The MacDonald of Keppoch tartan sett is said to have been copied from a plaid that was given to Prince Charles Edward Stuart. However, there is another tartan sett for which the same claim is made by the Clan Johnstone. MacDonaldKeppoch Tartan

List of clan chiefs

The following is a list of the historic chiefs of the Clan MacDonald of Keppoch: * Alexander ''Alisdair Carrach'' MacDonald, 1st of Keppoch (1369-1440) * Angus ''Aonghas na Fearste'' MacDonald, 2nd of Keppoch (1390-1484) * Donald MacDonald, 3rd of Keppoch (bef 1484-1497) * John ''Iain Aluinn'' Macdonald, 4th of Keppoch (bef 1497-15??) * Alexander ''Alastair nan Gleann'' Macdonald, 5th of Keppoch (bef 1484-1499) * Donald "Glass" MacDonald, 6th of Keppoch (bef 1499-~1513) * Ronald "Raonall MacDhonaill Ghlais" MacDonald, 7th of Keppoch (bef 1513-1547) * Alexander ''Alastair Boloine'' MacDonald BT, 8th of Keppoch (bef 1547-1554) * Ranald ''Og'' MacDonald BT, 9th of Keppoch (bef 1547-1587) * Alexander ''Alastair nan Cleas'' MacDonald, 10th of Keppoch (aft 1547- aft 1640) * Ranald ''Og'' Macdonald, 11th of Keppoch (bef 1593-1640) * Donald "Glass" MacDonald, 12th of Keppoch (bef 1593-bef 1650) * Alexander MacDonald, 13th of Keppoch (bef 1650-1663) * Alexander ''Alastair Buidhe'' MacDonald, 14th of Keppoch (bef 1593-1669) * Archibald MacDonald, 15th of Keppoch (aft 1663-1688) * Coll MacDonald, 16th of Keppoch (bef 1688-1729) *

(bef 1729-1746) (Killed at the

) * Angus MacDonald, (1725-1818) (ignored) * Sir Ranald MacDonell, 18th of Keppoch (1736-1788) * Sir Alexander MacDonell, 19th of Keppoch (1772-1808) * Sir Richard MacDonell, 20th of Keppoch (1780-1819) * Maj. Alexander MacDonell, (abt 1742-1820) (ignored) * Sir Chichester MacDonell, 21st of Keppoch (bef 1819-1848) * Angus MacDonell, 1st of Keppoch (1801-1855) The current chief is ''Ranald Alasdair MacDonald, 22nd Chief of the Honorable Clan Ranald of Lochaber'', who became chief in 2006 after the original line dead off with Angus MacDonell (1801-1855), who produced no heirs to the clan in the 19th century.

References

External links

The Honourable Clan Ranald of Lochaber
{{DEFAULTSORT:MacDonald of Keppoch Scottish clans Gaels