Blair Collection > Celtic monthly > Volume 6, 1898

THE CELTIC MONTHLY.
•i'i
enemies at Lag-na-Cumeineach, are well known,
being a favourite ancient story among High-
landers. Alasdair Ciar's predece.s.sors held
Kothieniurchu.s without heritable right, and it
was not until 1+04 that Alexander obtained his
first written title from David Stuart, Bishop of
Moray. Ala.sdair, who married Miss Stuart of
Kincardine, is frequently mentioned betwixt
the years 1464-14S2, and left four sons, John,
his successor, Alasdair < )g, and James, of whom
tht^ Shaws of Dell and Dalnavert respectively,
after referred to, and Iver, of whom the Shaws
of Harris.
IV. — John, wlio married Euphemia, daughter
of Allan Mackintosh, and grand-daughter of
Malcolm, lOth of Mackintosh, with issue ;
V. — Allan, who married the fouith and youngest
daughter of Farquhai", 13th Mackintosh, by
Giles Eraser of Lovat. As early as 1530 Allan
is found in pecuniary difficulties, falling into
the dangerous hands of the Gordons. The
Gordons were unable or unwilling to keep the
lands, coveted by the Grants of Grant, and
much desired l)y the Mackintoshes as an impor-
tant and early possession of the family. The
Goi'dons were willing to deal with Lachlan
Mackintosh of Mackintosh, but Grant was too
much for him, and accpiired Rothiemurchus,
greatly to Mackintosh's chagrin, who even con-
descended to entreat Grant to let liim have his
family's ancient pos.session. Here is an excerpt
from Mackintosh's letter to Grant, dated '20th
February, 1508 : —
" And for all these causes above written, and
perpetuity of friendship, alliance, and blood, the
Laird of (irant wliom I esteem my greatest friend,
to let me have luy own native country of Kutliie-
niurchus for such sums of money as he gave for the
same, or as he and I may goodly agree, and that
because it is not unknown to the Laird and his wise
council that it is my most native country as said is "
Having, as might be expected from the
family's character, failed in an amicable arrange-
ment. Mackintosh struggled for years to retain
forcible posse.ssion, but finally, about 1580, had
to succumb. Allan's eldest son,
VI. — James, though occasionally found styled
of Rothiemurchus, had practically no interest in
the estate. His wife bore a name having always
unhappy consequences when connected with the
Mackintoshes, and her second marriage, with
the husband's after behaviour, exciting the iie
of her eldest son Angus Shaw, brought about
the downfall of the old house of Rothiemuichus.
The island, with its ruined castle, has attracted
the attention of the greatest painters of the age,
and though much of the grand native forest of
pine has disappear! d, Loch-an-Eilean is still an
attractive pilgrimage. There is a remaikable
echo from the shore opposite the castle ; and it
is understood the eagles iire now left in peace.
A reproduction of a painting in my possession is
here given, and I conclude this part of the paper
with an account from the Kinrara MS. History
of the punishment at Loch-an-Eilean in 1531 of
the murderer of Lachlan the 14th Mackintosh :
" In revenge of this barbarous murder, Donald
Glas Mackintosh (brother's son to the murderer) and
Donald Mackintosh MacAllan, his cousin, with the
assistance of the Laird of Macgregor (brother-in-law
to Mackintosh), did within a quarter of a year after
the slaughter apprehend the said John Malcolm's
son, and incarcerate him in the Isle of Rothie-
murchus, where he was kept for a long time in
cliains, until James. Earl of Moray, then Reyent of
the Realm, and brother-in-law to Mackintosli, came
to the North, in whose presence the said John wa.s
beheaded at the south side of the Loch of Rothie-
murchus, upon the 1st day of May, 1531."
{To he continued.)
The Clan MaoMillan have arranged to hold
their Social Gathering in the Queen's Rooms on
Thursday, 18th November. The learned chief, the
Rev. Hugh MacMillan, D.D., will preside, and his
addresses are always interesting to Highlanders.
We hope to see a large attendance.
The Clan Gregor Societv. — The Usual Autumn
Meeting of Council of the Clan Gregor Society was
held recently in the Religious Institution Rooms,
Glasgow, and was well attended by members from
Edinburgh, Glasgow, and the surrounding district.
Mr. Atholi MacGregor, President of the Society,
occupied the chair. The ordinary business was
transacted and a sum of £(;5 was alloted as bursaries
to young male and female students belonging to
the clan, and various grants made to necessitous
and deserving members of the clan. The reports
showed the Society to be in a healthy condition.
Clan MacKinnon Society — The Annual General
Meeting of this Society was held in the Waterloo
Rooms, Mr. L. MacKinnon, Sen., A'ice-President,
in the chair. The financial report showed that the
Society was in a flourishing condition. The
following have become members of the Society, and
handsomely subscribed to the charitable scheme :
Due de Grammont, Du de Lespan-e, Compte de
Grammont, Counfesse de Brigod, all of Paris ;
Colonel the Earl of Dundonald, Hon. Thomas
Cochrane, BI.P. — all the gentlemen named being
nephews of the chief of the clan, Mr. William
Alexander MacKinnon, M.A., D.L., ex-M.P.,
Folkestone, who was re-elected, together with the
following office-bearers : — President, Mr. William
K. MacKinnon, Pollokshields ; Hon. Treasurer,
Mr. Andrew MacKinnon, Commercial Bank ;
Assistant Treasurer, Mr. L. MacKinnon ; Secretary,
Mr. John MacKinnon, 12 Cliflbrd Street, Ibrox.
Death of a Distinovisheo Highlander. — Jutt
as we go to press we learn of the death of Captain
A. Macia Chisholm of Glassburn, one of the best
representatives of the Highland race. His death
will be regretted by all. A portrait and sketch of
the deceased appeared in our issue of February,
1893 (Volume I., No. o).