Series 1 > Loyall dissuasive

Ixxviii
THE LOYALL DISSUASIVE
MacAlpin by name. His father was a Scot, and his mother a
Piet. The date of this revolution is 843. The kingdom of
Moray, too, had been making claims upon Scone, and was
represented on its throne from time to time during the one
hundred and nine years which had elapsed from the arrival of
Murdach in its borders.1
From this general history let us return to Clan Chattan.
Murdach was chief of Lome, as well as King of Dalriada, at
the time of his flight. The sacred place of Lome was an
ancient I’eligious house at Ardchattan, on Loch Etive, where
early Celtic remains attest the fact, and where the later Lords
of Lome built the now ruined priory, and where they were
1 As we are professing only to look for missing links in these ancient histories,
the following note on the suggested origin of the name Moray may be allowed.
The Cinel Loam originated from Loam, brother of Fergus Mac Ere. Ireland
was his home, and the Milesian Scots his race. His son was called Murdach.
The name Murdach, in its several variants, was widespread, and of great im¬
portance, in Ireland. It had also a Cruthnigh form. It was not unlikely that the
combined Scots and Piets of the great central district, afterwards called Moravia
or Moray, should adopt this name from their chief, prince, or king. The name
was very distinguished in Ireland, whence they came. It was eminent in Scotland,
and had royalty, and the Church, to say nothing of sanctity, in its favour. If
Murdach was really building up influence in the district, there was nothing in his
name to impede his progress, but much to accelerate it. Looking at the Index of
the Annals of Ireland, by the Four Masters, ed. O’Dono von, Dublin, 1851,1 find
3 Murdachs Monarchs of all Ireland.
2 ,, Heirs to the Sovereignty of Ireland.
8 ,, Kings of sub-kingdoms, such as Meath, Leinster, etc.
1 ,, Half King.
3 ,, Archbishops of Armagh.
2 ,, Bishops.
22 ,, Abbots and Priors.
20 ,, Lords of Provinces.
3 ,, Chiefs of Clans.
This is a very respectable list of eminent persons from Ireland. The dates
run from 326 to 1164. Then Scotland can show several saints of the name.
St. Murdach, bishop. In the Bute Breviary his day is 23rd December. On
2nd September a St. Murdach, bishop and confessor, is commemorated. A St.
Mordouch (showing Pictish touch in the spelling) appears in the Dunkeld Liturgy
as a martyr. On 2nd October is commemorated ‘ St. Murdach, a hermit who had
a poor habitation, near a lake in Argyllshire, which is called Kilmurdah. A life
of him in nine lections is preserved, and the events of it are painted on the walls
of his cell. He was the last of the bards, and was said to be very devout to the
Virgin, who distinguished him with great favours.’ Again, in Bishop Forbes’s