Blair Collection > Celtic monthly > Volume 2, 1894

244
THE CELTIC MOiSTTHLY.
REVIEWS.
A Trip i'kom Callander to Staffa and Iona,
WITH BRIEF DESCRIPTIVE SKETCHES OF THE ROUTE
Bi' SEA AND LAND, AND THE SACRED ROCK-BOUND
Isle of I-colm-kill, by Malcolm Ferguson (John
Leng & Co., Dundee). — This is undoubtedly the
liest of the many excellent volumes (vhich Mr.
Ferguson has contributed to our Highland literature.
In it the author takes his reader on a pleasure trip
from Callander to Iona, giving a most interesting
account of the historical and other associations of
the various places passed en route. Curiously,
the volume reached us just as we were leaving on a
visit to the Western Highlands and Islands, and
we followed the route so well described by Mr.
Ferguson. The volume proved a most useful and
interesting companion, and we heartily recommend
it to those of our readers who purpose making a
similar trip. It is nicely bound, and contains a
number of fine plates illustrative of places and
objects in Argyllshire and the Islands. Copies can
be had from Mr. Henry Whyte, Bookseller, 4
Bridge Street, Glasgow.
Transactions of the Gaelic Society of Inver-
ness, Volume XVIII., 1894. — This bulky Volume
embraces the work of the Society from Mid-summer
1891 till the Mid session of 1893, and is of more
than average interest. A glance at the contents
shows that the papers have been contributed by
well-known Celts whose names are a tower of
strength to the Society. " The Apparitions and
Ghosts of the Isle of Skye " form the subject of a
paper by Mr. Norman Matheson. Mr. Fraser-
Mackintosh contributes two valuable papers on
" Minor Highland Families" and we have "Some
Highland Fishermen's Fancies" by Mr. A. Poison,
Dunbeath. There is a paper from the pen of the
late Hector MacLcan on "The Ibernians" —
probably the last complete treatise peimed by this
gifted Son of Islay. Rev. John MacRury, Snizort
has a suggestive jjaper on some of the byepaths of
Gaelic Grthograiihy, while " General Monks Cam-
paign in the Highlands in l(ir)4," is successfully
dealt with by Mr. William Mackay. Mr. Alexander
MacBain, M.A. — the learned Rector of Kaining's
School — contributes two most valuable papers. To
the Student of Gaelic his article on " The Dialect
of Badenoch" cannot fail to be interesting, while
he has done a piece of excellent work in his paper
on " Ptolmey's Geography of Scotland." Mr.
William MacKenzie's article on "The Gaelic
Incantations and Charms of the Hebrides," is of
permanent value^and displays much learned
research. The indefatigable Celt — Mr. John
Mackay, J. P., Hereford — contributes two exhaus-
tive papers on "Sutherland Place Names," while
Mr. A. Mackintosh Shaw, London, deals with
*' Some Clan Chattan MS. Genealogies and
HistKjriea." "The Early History, Legends, and
Traditions of Strathardle" are treated in a jwpular
manner by Mr. Charles Fergiison, Fairburn, and
the well-known Gaelic Seniuivhic, Rev. A. Maclean
Sinclair, Nova Scotia, makes an interesting contri-
bution to Chin history by giving a sketch of " The
Maclntyres of Glenoe. Mr. Paul Camercm,
Blair Athole, contributes a second jiaper on " The
Gaelic Songs of Perthshii-e and their Composers."
We cordially reconmiend the Volume to all who
are interested in the Celt, his language and litera-
ture, confident that they will find much in it to
instruct and interest.
THE CHIEFTAINSHIP OF THE CLAN
MACKINNON.
Sir. — 1 hope you may allow me a small space in
the Celtic Monthly in reply to Mr. A. K. Mac-
Kinnon's letter in this month's issue. Mr. A. K.
MacKinnon on his own admission, cannot be Chief
of MacKinnon. His statement, without giving
instances, that sometimes Chiefs of Clans hold
the position through the female line, is absurd.
Supposing his paternal grandmother, Miss Mary
Emilia MacKinnon, through whom he claims the
Chieftainship, having married Michael O'Brien,
instead of Mr. Alexander MacKinnon, Mr. A. K.
MacKinnon's grandfather, their descendants (say
Bernard O'Brien, their grandson), according to this
arrangement, would still have claimed the Chief-
tainship of the ancient Clan Fingon. Mr. A. K.
MacKinnon states that I cannot be miaware of the
adverse feeling there exists in and out the Clan
MacKinnon Society regarding the Chieftainship.
I am not aware of such feeling existing, and I
cannot see any reason to introduce any ill feeling.
I am quite content to abide by the decision arrived
at by competent authority nearly a century ago,
when ^Ir. William Alcxaiulir Maokiiinon, head of
the Antigua lirauoh of MacKiunnii ,a direct male
descendant of Lachlan Mor of Strathaird became
Chief on the death <if John MacKinnon in 1808, a
brother of Mr. A. K. MacKinnon's grandmother,
and through whom he claims the Chieftainship.
The present Chief of MacKinnon, William A.
MacKinnon, of Acryse Place, Folkeston, is worthy
of the honour, and both himself and his relatives
have proved themselves an honour to the race, and
served their Queen and country as statesmen, and
gallantly as otticers in the British army. Mr. A.
K. MacKinnon wishes a conference to decide the
question, I have no objection, but I cannot see
Mr. A. K. MacKinnon's ground of argument in
favour of his claim through the female line, because
such claim is bad in theory, in custom, in practice
and usage, amongst the ancient Scottish Clans, and
all history bearing on the subject is against it.
The custom amongst the Clans in ancient times
was when a Chief died or was killed on the field of
battle, witliout male issue, to elect the nearest
direct male heir to the Chieftainship, and the
present Chief is the nearest male direct heir on the
death of John already alluded to, and all the
Scotch historians of any standing recognise him as
such. I have nothing to say against Mr. A. K.
MacKinnon's respectability, and am proud of
himself and his forefathers as worthy and honour-
able Clansmen, and I should be very sorry to
disturb the harmony amongst the Clan since the
formation of tlic Society. Should Mr. W. A. Mac-
Kinnon still persist with his claim, I shall be glad
to corrcsponcl with him by private letter.
Ghvsttow. Duncan MacKinnon. •
END OF VOLUME IL