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This family long held a
prominent position in Inverness-shire. It descended from Allan MacRuari, one
of the most famous of the distinguished chiefs of Clan Ranald, who was
executed for treasonable actions at Blair-Athole in 1509.
The first of the family was Dugald Macdonald, after whom the lairds had the
patronymic, and were in Gaelic styled “Mac Dhughail”—when in conjunction
with the territorial designation of Morar, “Mac vic Dhughail,” by and in
itself.
There is some doubt as to the connection betwixt Dugald and Allan MacRuari.
The historian of CJanranald, writing in 1819, describes him as son of “Angus
Reoch,” who was fourth son of Allan MacRuari; and as at that time the
unparalleled misfortunes which befel the main line (afterwards alluded to)
had occurred, the historian thus feelingly refers to Morar as “a family
which has supported the dignity of the name for ages, and whose worth will
be long remembered.” Mr Gregory, however, and Mr Alexander Mackenzie, in his
History of the Macdonalds and Lords of the Isles, state that Dugald was the
only son of Ranald, executed in 1513, eldest son of Allan MacRuari, and thus
the real heir, who, in consequence of his cruelties, was murdered shortly
after his accession, and his family excluded from the succession. It would
be out of place here to enter fully into the matter, and the descendants of
Dugald, though they accepted his name, relinquished all title to the
chiefship, which remained unchallenged in Ian Muidartach and his
descendants.
Before giving some account of the various heads of the Morar family, it may
be as well at this point to describe their lands. South Morar was their
chief residence, consisting of a 14 merk land of old extent. North Morar,
formerly part of Glengarry, was judicially sold in 1768, aud bought by
General Fraser of Lovat, who was anxious to add to his political influence.
In Gaelic, South Morar was “Morar-vic-Dhughail,” and North Morar, “Morar-vic-Shimmie.”
South Morar, in its entirety, was a fine property, extending from the sea to
the head waters of Glen Pean, which flow into Loch Arkaig, and to the
sources of the river Finnon, which runs into Loch Shiel. It contained all
the waters. which run into one side of the historic Loch Morar, including
also the whole of Loch Beoraid, in itself a grand sheet of water. There are
some pretty islets in Loch Morar, in one of which, it is alleged, Simon Lord
Lovat was taken in 1746, concealed in the hollow of an old tree. The
tradition is inaccurate; there are no appearances of old trees in the
islands, and trees which, I observe, by an account of seeds and labour, were
planted in 1802, have been cut down for estate purposes.
The place where Lord Lovat was taken, I am informed by MrAEneas Macdonell of
Morar, is called “Druim-a-Chuirn,” situated on the south-east side of Loch
Morar, part of the farm of Meople. Mr Macdonell saw the tree some forty
years ago, then much decayed, and he understood there are at present no
remains. He took it to have been a fir, but those with him made it hardwood.
The river Morar, with its rapids and falls, is most picturesque. In Eigg,
the Morar family had Gruillen, Galmistell, Sandiemore, Hollin, Knockeltaig,
and Cleadell. They also had the lands of Linaclete in Benbecula, and
Machermeanach in South Uist. One of the cadets of Morar founded the family
of Garryghoul, afterwards Gerrinish, whose desccniant in 1854 became heir to
Morar, and sold the estate When these lands in South Uist and Benbecula were
sold to Boisdale by Allan Roy of Morar, it was said he had been outwitted,
and I observe a curious statement made in the year 1854, by John Macdonald,
cottar in Arisaig, then aged 82, that the Gerrinish family "had money on
those lands which had been left to them as Thanishdearachd.” The family has
long been out of Fist, but has left some permanent memorials. Miss Mary
Macdonald, a member of the family, residing in Glasgow in 1854, aged 60,
says, “Ranald of Gerriuish's first wife was Isobel, daughter of Morar. She
was drowned in the ford. The rock has ever since been called ‘Isabella's
Rack.’ I have seen it myself.” Miss Macdonald’s sister, Mrs Anne Mackinnon,
says, “I have often stood in the burying-ground at Howmore, between the
graves of Rauald’s two wives. The burying ground is called the Morar family
buiring-ground—in Gaelic, Clach or Cille-vic-Coule.”
The Morar family had at times other lands, particularly seven merks of
Arisaig, but those I have mentioned were all included in the County Cess
Roll, made up in 1691.
I. Dugald Macdonald was succeeded by
II. Allan, designed in 1538 as “Allan Mac-Coull-MacRanald,” who, with his
younger brother Lachlan, receive a grant of the nonentry duties of 14 merks
of Morar, 9 merks in Eigg, 13 merks in Benbecula, and 7 merks of Arisaig.
From this period, at least, commences the distinct connection of the Mac-Coul
family with Morar. In a remission, dated 3rd March, 1566, in favour of Clan-ranald
and his friends and followers, the first name after that of John, the chief,
and Allan, John Og, Roderick, Angus, and Donald Gorme, all his sons, is that
of “Allan Mac Coul Vic Ranald de Morar.”
The Clanranald historian seems to make him the same person as Allan
MacRanald of Easter Leys, who is found in 1581. I infer that Allan of Easter
Leys was of the Keppoch family. His eldest son and apparent heir, named
John, appears in 1588, and he himself writes a long letter, dated at the
Chanonrie of Ross, as late as 1596. Allan the second was succeeded by
III. Alexander, found in 1610 as “Alexander Mac-Allan-Mac-Coul MacRanald” of
Morar. In his time, the Morar family was in the height of its prosperity. He
received a Crown Charter of all the lands above particularised, including
the seven merks in Arisaig, from James VI., dated Edinburgh, 15th March,
1610.
Alexander, with consent of his eldest son, Allan Mor, feued out ten pennies
of Cleadell, Knockiltaig, and Hollin, in Eigg, to his brother Ranald, in
life-rent, and the latter’s son Angus, in fee, in the year 1618. This family
of Knockiltaig ran on for a long time, and in 1818 its representative, Capt.
George Macdonald of the 68th Regiment, was a claimant for the Morar estate,
and tried to get himself appointed tutor-at-law to John, 12th of Morar, but
the attempt failed, there being some doubt as to the marriage of the
Captain’s parents.
IV. Allan Mor. In 1646 Allan styling himself “Allan vic Allister,” Laird of
Morar, enters into a Bond of Friendship with John and Donald, elder and
younger of Clanranald.
This would imply that the Mac-Couls were independent of Clan Ranald. Allan
Mor had three sons, Allan Oig, his successor, John, who died without issue,
and Alexander, ancestor of Garrygual and Gerinish, whose descendants, as I
have said, ultimately succeeded to the estate. Allan Mor had one daughter,
who married Alexander Macdonald of Kinlochmoidart, which Alexander died in
1644. Allan was succeeded by
V. Allan Oig, and he in turn was succeeded by his second son,
VI. Alexander, who had several sons, including Allan Roy, who succeeded, and
John, the fourth son, first of the Guidale family, whose grandson James, an
idiot, was for a time proprietor of Morar. Alexander, who was out with
Dundee, was succeeded by
VII. Allan Roy. He is found party to a deed in 1702; and he, described as
yr. of Morar, witnesses a deed in 1683. He died prior to 1759, having been
infeft in Morar in 1726. He married Marjory, youngest daughter of Sir Ewtn
Cameron of Lochiel, leaving five sons, who all died without issue, save
John, the eldest. One of Allan Roy's daughters married John 6th of
Glenalladale, and her son, Alexander, young Glenalladale, was one of the
first to join Prince Charlie, and proved a most devoted adherent.
Allan was somewhat facile, and in his time the family began to decay. In
1748 he sold his South Uist and Benbecula lands to Boisdale, and feued
lihettland, part of South Morar. An old faded document, being an agreement
’twixt Angus Macdonald of Rhett-land, and his son, Allan, is somewhat
curious, and may be given, as it relates to the great emigration movement
which had then begun :—
“Att Sunisleter, 7th June, 1772.
“It is agreed and contracted betwixt Angus MacDonald of Retland and Allan
MacDonald, his eldest son, whereas the said Angus and Allan MacDonald are to
sell and dispose of the whole lands, holding feu of John Macdonald of Morar,
do hereby bind and oblige us heirs and successors to perform the following
articles and conditions. That is to say, that the third part of the price of
the foresaid lands are to be employed in making a purchase in whatever part
they think most convenient in America, and that the foresaid Allan
MacDonald, being the eldest son and heir of the foresaid Angus MacDonald of
Retland, is to have the whole of these lands purchased with the foresaid
money, except five hundred acres for each of his other four sons, and one
thousand to be att the disposal of the foresaid Angus MacDonald of Retland,
and the other two parts of the price of foresaid lands to be equally divided
betwixt the foresaid Angus MacDonald of Retland, and the foresaid Allan
MacDonald his son. I, Angus MacDonald of Retland, and Allan MacDonald, my
son, do hereby bind and oblige ourselves to extend the above upon stamped
paper when convenient.
“In witness whereof we have signed these presents before these witnesses—Ranald
MacDonald, tacksman of Grulin, in Eigg, and Donald MacDonald, in Sunisleter.
(Signed) Angus MacDonald, Allan MacDonald, Ranald MacDonald, witness, Donald
MacDonald, witness.”
Rhettland was ultimately acquired by the sagacious John Macdonald of
Borrodale, who afterwards succeeded to Glenalladale.
By the advice of friends, Allan Roy interdicted himself from acting without
their consent, but mischief had already been done.
Both Allan Roy and his son John were out in the ’45, and an account of
interviews they had with Prince Charles when a fugitive in the neighbourhood
of Morar, is well known. From the account it seems that the old man was more
inclined than his son to run all risks for his Prince. One of Allan’s
daughters was the Janet before referred to as having been drowned in a ford
of Uist. Allan was succeeded by his son
VIII. John Macdonald, commonly termed “Lieutenant John.” He succeeded to an
embarrassed estate, and being tempted to enter into litigation, to set aside
his father’s sales to Macdonald of Boisdale, he got into great difficulties,
finally losing his case in the House of Lords in 1764. He married Mary,
thirteenth child of Ranald of Kinlochmoidart, by Margaret, only daughter of
John Cameron of Lochiel.
One of Mary’s brothers was the well-known Angus Macdonald, banker in Paris,
who disappeared during the French Revolution while Paris was in the hands of
the mob. Another was Ranald, who will ever be sympathetically remembered by
Highlanders, as that youth who, with hardly suppressed anger against his
relatives, Clanranald and Kinlochmoidart, impatiently stood on the deck of
the vessel while Prince Charles was vainly striving to get their assent to
the rising.—“Home’s History,” p.p. 39 and 40.
Sometime after his legal defeat in 1764, John entered the British Service,
and served for years in America. He had to part with his remaining lands in
Eigg, viz., Gruelliu and the Knockiltaig feus, to Ranald Macdonald of
Clanranald, in the year 1773, for the sum of £1070. There is a curious
limitation in the deed of conveyance, to the effect that, though Galmistell
and Sandimore were conveyed, it was without warrandice, because, though they
appeared in Morar’s charters, they had in fact been always possessed by
Clanranald. After his return from the American War John lived at
Kinlochmoidart, then at Glenancross, and thereafter at Bunacamb, where he
died in the autumn of 1809, at an advanced age.
The sales mentioned did not suffice to clear the encumbrances. General
Fraser of Lovat befriended him, and made advances, but the upper end of
Morar, now generally comprehended under the one possession of Meople, was
sold by John and his son to Ewen Cameron of Fassfern. John wTas a man of
considerable ability, as may be seen by the following instructions, which
are holograph, to prepare the marriage contract of his daughter :—
“Outlines of the contract of marriage betwixt Lt. Miles M‘Donald, of the
late 8th Regiment of Foot on the one part, and Isabella M‘Donald, daughter
to John McDonald of Morar, the said J. M‘D. and Lt. Simon M‘Donald, younger
of Morar, on the other part, that is to say, the said Lt. M. M‘D. having
married the said Isabella M‘D. on the — day of July last, with the consent
of her said father and brother. But no contract or mention of agreement
being hitherto extended, or mention in any manner except what passed
verbally, and the said John M‘D., with consent of Lt. Simon M‘Donald
foresaid, obliges them to pay to said Lt. Miles M‘D. the sum of £100 stg.,
as portion or dowry, with the annual rent thereof, from date of their
marriage till paid. In consideration of which, and on the other part, the
said Lieut. Miles M‘Donald obliges him and his heirs, &c., etc., &c., to
secure to the said Isabella M‘Donald, his spouse, in case she survives her
said husband, by good sufficient land security, or by lodging a capital sum
equal thereto, the sum of £20 stg. yearly, beginning the first payment
thereof the first term after her said husband’s decease, together with an
equal half of all the movable stock, household furniture, or silver plate of
whatever kind that may happen to belong to them at the dissolution of the
marriage, in case no child or children shall then live or be procreate
between them; but, in case there are children or child then living procreate
betwixt them, in that case she is only to have one-third of the movables, as
also of conquest from the time of their marriage, and she is entitled to the
best horse, together with thirty pounds stg. in name of a compliment and a
grant of mourning.”
The sum of £40 was expended in John Macdonald’s funeral expenses, including
half an anker of rum and four casks of whisky. He left two sons and two
daughters — Simon, who succeeded Colonel Coll Macdonald, 2nd Battalion of
the Royals, one daughter, Isabella, above referred to, and Margaret, wife of
that well-known litigant, Dr Donald Macdonald, of Fort-Augustus. John was
succeeded in the estate by his eldest son.
IX. Simon, afterwards Major in the army, who married, in 1784, Amelia, only
child of Captain James Macdonell of Glenraeddle, younger son of Glengarry,
and Jean Gordon, daughter of old Glenbuckett.
Miss Macdonell was highly accomplished, and an heiress, and the romantic
circumstances connected with Morar’s successful wooing I have mentioned in
another place, as these were related to me by my mother, who was personally
acquainted with Major and Mrs Macdonald. Old Morar, at the marriage of his
son in 1784, gave over the estates, reserving a liferent.
Simon Macdonald built the house of Tray, afterwards called Morar House,
where he and his wife happily resided for some years, he busying himself in
the pursuits of a country gentleman. They were both good musicians, and in
the small though varied library at Tray at his death, there were 11 volumes
of music, and amongst his effects, three violins and a piano. The old
mansion of the Mac-Couls was stone built, gabled, and thatched, situated at
Glenancross.
When Simon left Glen^ncross, and built Tray, his father John also left it,
and, as I have said, resided in a cottage at Bunacaimb, still standing,
where he died. No vestige of the Glenancross house remains.
Simon took great interest in urging the opening up of Lochiel, Arisaig, and
the two Morars, by good roads, finding then, as is now, the inconvenience of
the £20 lands of Lochiel being situated in Argyle.
I give one of his letters as a specimen : —
“Dear Sir,—The Roman Catholic gentlemen in this neighbourhood swore
allegiance to His Majesty last week, in compliance to the late Act in their
favour, which I here enclose, but wish to have returned by my servant.
You’ll find also enclosed a list of the gentlemen, to be delivered to the
Sheriff Clerk conformed to the Act; likewise £2 1s, out of which give the
clerk £1 7s, the balance to credit of my own account. There is enclosed a
paragraph, which please transmit to Edinburgh with all despatch, to be
published in three different Edinburgh papers, and in the Glasgow News.
Acquaint me of the expense with due convenience, and it will be remitted. I
hope, as the gentlemen left it with me to get these things done, you’ll be
so good as not neglect them. I always am, dear Sir, yours very sincerely,
(Signed) “ Simon M‘Donald.
“Arisaig, 18th Augt., 1793.”
His family increasing, and the old military spirit still glowing, he again
entered the army. His mother-in-law, Mrs Macdonell of Glenmeddle, writing
from Inverie, 9th June, 1794, says:—“Mr Macdonald has accepted of a
Commission from the Marquis of Huntly. Since it was to be so, I wish it had
been sooner. He has got some recruits. God grant all things may do well for
himself and family.” He became Major in the 92nd Regt., and after being
abroad for some time, retired in bad health. He died on the 12th March,
1800, and in one of his last letters, bearing date the 13th January, he
writes, alluding to a notorious quack medicine of the day termed “the Balm
of Gilead,” thus—“The Gilead cordial I have found benefit from, so I mean to
commission a whole case from Edinburgh. If the effects are so sensibly felt
in every complaint to which it is applied as a cure, it must be a blessing
to society.” The Major was buried with his fathers within the walls of the
ancient chapel at Kilmoire of Arisaig, one of the seven expiatory chapels of
“Allan-nan-Creach,” and a handsome tombstone, costing £14 sterling, is
ordered from Greenock.
This was the first blow to his widow, left with a young family of
five—Elizabeth, James, Mary, Simon, and John. Her next misfortune was in the
year 1803, when, having previously removed to Inverness for the sake of her
childrens’ education, she lost, in the mouth of July, her daughter Mary, and
in November, her clever mother, Mrs Macdonell of Glenmeddle. Both were
buried at Inverness. In these dayp, in towns, it was customary to have a
funeral dinner or “entertainment” as it was termed, and it needed, with
other liquors, the consumption of 28 bottles of port to pay proper respect
to the old lady’s memory, at Fraser’s hotel. I give a specimen of her
letters:—
“Sir,—I would have wrote you sooner, according to promise, but was detained
longer by the way here than I expected, by my relations and friends in
Perthshire. I only arrived here last week. I long much to know about your
Mrs M‘Donell and how all matters are. I sincerely wish and hope all is weel
to your and her comfort. I am very anxious to hear. What can I think not to
have had a letter or any accounts from my daughter or from Knoidart since I
left Inverness. You cannot imagine my uneasiness, God grant they may be all
weel. 1 am amongst my kindest and best friends, but in the midst of all, not
happy with my anxiety in not hearing from my daughter, the reason of which I
cannot comprehend. I have been at Lord Henderlands mostly since I came here.
They are at Murrayfield, about two miles from town. My Lord sets off the
15th for Inverness, from Mercer of Aldies. I dined at St Martins with
Remulin, and returned to Mr Mercer’s at night. I only saw Mr Fraser,
Gortuleg; he called upon me the day I came to town; he went north next day,
but says he returns soon. I beg to hear from you upon receipt of this. Let
me know all your news, how they are at Invergarry, what has become of Mrs
M‘Cay, but I beg to know when you heard from Knoidart. I shall conclude with
my kindest compts. to Mrs M. and you, and am, Dr. Sir, your assured friend,
and humble servt., (Signed) “Jean Macdonell.
“Edin., Carrubers Close, Sept. 10th, 1787.
“Direct to me at Mrs Laing’s, Carrubers Close, and care of Mr Angus
M'Donell, Merchant, Parliament Close.
“Compts. to Mr John McDonald and Mrs M‘Donald, and to good Miss Gordon.
Adieu, write me soon.”
In 1804, when in his 11th year, Mrs Macdonald’s youngest son, John, met with
an accident, and began to show signs of fatuousness.
I have placed Major Simon Macdonald as the 9th of Morar, because, though he
predeceased his father, he had been put in possession of the estate. He was
succeeded by his eldest son
X. James, who, in 1805, like his father and grandfather, betook himself to a
military life, entering his fathers regiment, as seen by the following
letter addressed to his uncle, Colonel Coll Macdonald :—
“Aberdeen, 28th September, 1805.
“Sir,—The Marquis of Huntly is extremely happy to acquaint you that he has
now procured an ensigncy in the 92nd for your nephew, James Macdonald.
(Signed) “Thos. Johnstone, Major of Brigade.”
James Macdonald was sent abroad immediately, saw much service, and went
through a deal of hardship. It was reported that he was killed at Corunna,
but, in a letter from a friend of the family in Edinburgh, dated 31st
January, 1809, it is said—“There has been word from James Morar, who it
seems has been lucky enough not to be at the Battle of Corunna. He says the
army have lost in all 10,000 men in battle, and left on the road in retreat
from fatigue; but it is said confidently that 4500 only have been lost.
James Morar was in the rear on the march, and was skirmishing and retreating
for three weeks.”
James Macdonald returned home a major, and his mother, writing from Morar
House, on 17th October, 1809, says her son Simon had a letter “from James.
He is, I thank God, well. His regiment is at Woodbridge, in Suffolk. He is
put into the Grenadiers as a mark of distinction.”
His own views are well expressed in a long letter, dated Woodbridge, 18th
October, 1809, from which I make an extract:—“I am now the representative of
an ancient and honourable family, with hardly a vestige of property, but the
name, with a family to support, and debts to be expunged. Providing for the
one, and supporting the other, as becomes them, are my objects, and, with
the assistance of God, I am determined to overcome all obstacles to effect
them. The task is difficult.”
Alas! that such high hopes should be frustrated. He shortly fell into ill
health, and died at Edinburgh, after a lingering illness, in the month of
October, 1811. On 30th October a youth at college writes to Inverness—“Poor
Morar was buried on Tuesday. They got a very bad day, for it incessantly
rained all the time of the burial.” The death of her eldest son, of whom she
was justly proud, wras a sad stroke to his mother, but she still had the
comfort of her second son Simon. James Macdonald was succeeded by his
brother.
XI. Simon, 11th of Morar. He was intended for the profession of the law, and
carefully educated, first by Mr Ewan Maclachlan, of Aberdeen, and afterwards
at the University of Edinburgh. He was the favourite of his mother and only
surviving sister. It may be imagined, therefore, what an overwhelming shock
it was to these loving ones to hear that in April, 1812, barely six months
after his accession, he was killed by the accidental discharge of his gun
while visiting a relative in Moidart. Upon his way to shoot at
Kinlochmoidart, Simon Macdonald stayed a night at the house of Irin.
Starting off after breakfast on 22nd April, in health and spirits, he took
up his gun, which had been placed over night against the wall behind a sofa.
In doing this the gun went off, the contents penetrating his head, and,
though he lived three hours, never spoke. Simon was succeeded by his only
surviving brother,
XII. John, 12th of Morar. He, as I have stated, showed signs of fatuousness
as early as 1804, and, by the time of his accession, had quite sunk into
idiotcy. He attained his majority in 1814.
These unparalleled misfortunes left Mrs Macdonald with only one real
comfort—her eldest daughter, Elizabeth. She, like her mother, was highly
accomplished and well up to business. I cannot better illustrate this than
bv giving a paper drawn out and holograph of herself, early in 1814, in
reference to certain accounts of cash and business, which had been laid
before her mother and herself—
“Memorandum as to the Accounts :—
“A. These two Accounts, the £60 is not included in which he was due Mrs M.
“B. The Interest of Glengarry’s Bond, which wbs due two years, he sent by Mr
J. M. in 1809, which he puts right in his account, but in making up the
Interest, he charged her Interest upon from 1807. And the Accounts he paid
in the same way at that time.
“C. These two accounts are the same, but that the agency is charged niore in
the last sent.
“D. This Account he has put John in place of Simon. In it he charges with an
Interview with our Lamented Simon when he was in Morar. It was the day after
his coming of age, the 14th of April, when every person knows that he was
not at Inverness. In John’s accounts he has charged the Postages much more
than they are. As to mine, if he sends the vouchers I shall be satisfied.”
Mrs Macdonald was destined to lose, and that very shortly, as I have said,
her last comfort. Borrodale writes on 4th July, 1814:—
“Dear Sir,—Mrs Macdonald, Morar, with her poor reduced family, arrived from
Edinburgh on the 23rd of last month. Miss Macdonald was much reduced indeed,
but she retained such spirits that I thought she might live a few weeks. The
poor mother never despaired of her recovery until Thursday night last, late
in the evening, and early on Friday morning she departed this life. The
interment is to be on Thursday. You will easily conceive the distress of
worthy Mrs Macdonald on losing her last hope and only comfort. I am happy to
be able to say she bears this severe trial with a great degree of Christian
fortitude, as much so as could be expected from any woman in her
situation.—I am, dear Sir, yours very truly,
(Signed) “John Macdonald.
“Morar House, 4th July, 1814.”
Barisdale, writing same day from Auchtertyre, says:—“I am just preparing to
set off for poor Betsy Morar’s interment. God help her distressed mother;
few women have suffered more in the world, or borne her fate with more
resignation and fortitude.”
In 1818, when certain formalities were to be gone through with regard to the
management of the estate, an old friend writing by a messenger-at-arms to Mr
John Macdonald, priest of Arisaig, and to Mr Macdonell of Rhue, says—“The
bearer goes to cite John Morar, the remaining stock of my most affectionate
friends, Major and Mrs Macdonald of Morar. That that family should have been
so reduced is truly distressing to me.”
Mrs Macdonald did not long survive. Glengarry, writing on 16th May, 1817,
states—“He expects setting out for the West to attend the funeral of my poor
cousin, Mrs Macdonald of Morar.” She left considerable means, Lord Medwyn,
Mr J. A. Murray, afterwards Lord Murray, Wm. Macdonald of St Martins, and
Alex. Macdonell of Rhue and Lochshiel, being her executors. Mrs Galbraith,
daughter of Ranald Macdonell of Scotos, speaking in 1854, aged over 70,
said—“ I lived for three years preceding Mrs Macdonald’s death with her at
Morar House.” Space prevents my giving one of her numerous letters. Lord
Murray, her maternal cousin, was appointed her residuary legatee, and though
a great part of it was laid out by him for the benefit of the people, it did
not prove a success. He erected a monumental tablet in one of the walls of
Kilmoir chapel, with the following inscription :—
“Sacred to the Memory of Amelia,
Widow of Simon Macdonald of Morar,
Of their Daughter Eliza, and Sons,
James, Simon, and John.
The sorrows of a mother, borne with patience truly Christian, and the sad
fate of her family, are here recorded.
RIP
J. A. M., Posuit, 1843.”
Colonel Coll Macdonald, only brother of Simon 9th of Morar, married Miss
Frances Cochrane, and left an only child Mary. The Colonel, who was in very
good circumstances, had to be placed under restraint in 1814, and died
towards the close of 1817. Mary Macdonald married Angus Macdonell, commonly
called “Angus Inch,” from his farm in the Brae of Lochaber. Mr Eneas
Macdonell, Morar, to whom I am much indebted for information in preparing
this paper, describes Mrs Macdonell of Inch in these words, in answer to my
specific enquiries, made in respect that she and her descendants became
heirs of line of “Mac Dhughail”— “Mrs Macdonell was regarded by every one
who saw her as a very handsome and beautiful woman. She retained her good
looks and graces to the last. She was little past middle life when she died.
The old Macdonalds of Morar were, I have always heard, a good looking race.
I am not sure whether Mrs Macdonell died before or after the family
emigrated. My impression is that her death took place in this country. Mrs
Macdonell was an elegant, agreeable, well-informed woman.” I observe that in
August of this present year, 1888, Archie, youngest son of Mr and Mrs
Macdonell of Inch, died at Melbourne.
John, 12th of Morar, who died about 1832, was succeeded by his second
cousin, of the Guidale family.
XIII. James, 13th of Morar, also fatuous. He died about 1853, and the estate
being destined to heirs male, he was succeeded by a very distant cousin of
the Gerinish family, which had emigrated to America,
XIV. Ranald, 14th of Morar, who claimed through Alexander, 3rd son of Allan
Mor, 4th of Morar. This Ranald’s proof of propinquity was difficult, but it
was assisted by a proof taken by an uncle Allan, in 1824-5. Some rather
interesting facts which cropped out, may be mentioned. Speaking in 1824,
Malcolm Gillies, in Cross of Morar, aged 75, says the Gillieses “had been
long in Morar, and, as far as he had learned, were older in the country than
even the family of Morar itself.” In the same year, Donald Macdonald of
Eignaig, in Moidart, aged 70 years, says— “He is well acquainted with the
genealogy of the family of Morar, and can give them from the Lords of the
Isles.” In 1825 Miss Margaret Macdonald, only sister of young Clanranald of
the ’45, was still alive, and residing at Ormiclate. Her father, Ranald
Macdonald, in his youth styled of Benbecula, was born in 1692. Same year,
1824, Donald Macdonald, tenant in Iochdar of South Uist, said that in 1746,
when Prince Charles Edward came to the country, after the battle of
Culloden, he, Donald, was 18 years of age. In 1854, Donald Thomson at
Druim-a-chaillich of Arisaig, aged 74, knew an old man, Donald Maceachin,
who resided at Drumindarroch, and who died 20 years ago a very old man.
Donald told him he was ten years old when Prince Charles was in hiding on
the West Coast. I may mention that I have myself seen a gentleman who was
six years old at the battle of Culloden.
Ranald, fourteenth of Morar, sold the estate to Mr Eneas Macdonell, grandson
of Ranald Macdonell of Scotas, whose trustees parted with it to an English
family which had previously acquired the adjoining estate of Arisaig.
Thus Morar, which had never been out of the race and name of Macdonald since
1120, and the time of Somerled, was lost to them, but it is to be hoped not
for ever. |
