Alastair Ruadh MacDonnell
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Alastair Roy MacDonell of Glengarry (ca 1725–1761; Scottish Gaelic: Alasdair Ruadh MacDomhnaill, was the 13th chief of Clan MacDonell of Glengarry. Brought up as a Catholic and largely educated in France, he was arrested in November 1745 on his way to join the 1745 Jacobite Rising. In 1747, MacDonell became a spy for the British government.
Quick Facts Tenure, Predecessor ...
Alastair Roy MacDonell | |
---|---|
13th Chief, Clan MacDonell of Glengarry | |
Tenure | 1754–1761 |
Predecessor | John MacDonell, 12th Chief of Glengarry (1754) |
Successor | Duncan MacDonell, 14th Chief of Glengarry (1761) |
Other titles | soi disant Jacobite Lord MacDonald |
Born | (1725-01-05)5 January 1725 Invergarry Castle, Scottish Highlands |
Died | 23 December 1761(1761-12-23) (aged 36) Invergarry Castle, Scottish Highlands |
Nationality | Scottish |
Parents | John MacDonell of Glengarry (died 1754) Margaret Mackenzie |
Close
After his release from the Tower of London in 1747, he continued to be active in Jacobite plotting until he betrayed the cause to become a British government agent. This remained secret until 1897 when Scottish historian Andrew Lang confirmed his identity as "Pickle the Spy".
He became 13th chief of Glengarry in 1754 and died unmarried in 1761, when he was succeeded by his nephew Duncan.