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The MacDonalds of Ardnamurchan also known as MacIain of Ardnamurchan, or Clan MacIan,[1] were a Scottish family and a branch of the larger Clan Donald.
Origins of the Clan
The founder of the Macdonalds of Ardnamurchan was Iain Sprangach MacDonald (d.1340), the third son of Angus Mor MacDonald (d.1292), 4th chief of Clan Donald.[1][2] Iain is the Scottish Gaelic for the Christian name John.[3] The surname MacIain therefore means son of John.[1]
Iain Sprangach MacDonald was also known as John the Bold. His brother, Angus Og Macdonald, Lord of the Isles, was a great ally of King Robert the Bruce. Ian's early affiliations, like those of his family, were serving Edward I (until Robert Bruce became King of Scots). His grant of Ardnamurchan likely came from his brother, Angus Og, as it was one of the lands granted to Angus Og by Robert I. The MacDonalds of Ardnamurchan became known as the MacIains.
15th Century
Alexander MacDonald, the third chief of the MacIains is believed to have been killed during the Battle of Harlaw in 1411. Alexander's son John led the clan at the Battle of Inverlochy (1431). After this he was awarded lands on the isles of Islay and Jura by Alexander Macdonald, Lord of the Isles.
The MacIains supported the MacDonald Lordship of the Isles until, in 1493, the fourth and last Lord of the Isles forfeited his title to King James IV. By 1494 the King had garrisoned and provisioned Dunaverty Castle. It is said that the MacDonalds led by Sir John MacDonald, who the king had recently knighted, retook the castle before the King had even departed to Stirling and that the dead body of the King's castle governor was hung over the castle walls in sight of the King and his departing entourage. Sir John Macdonald however was later captured by MacDonald (or MacIain) of Ardnamurchan. He was tried and hung on the Burgh Muir.
In 1497 Sir Alexander MacDonald of Lochalsh rebelled against the King and invaded the lands of Ross-shire where he was defeated at the Battle of Drumchatt by the Clan Mackenzie.[4] Alexander MacDonald of Localsh escaped southwards amongst the Isles until he was caught on the Isle of Oronsay and put to death by MacIain of Ardnamurchan.[4]
16th Century
In 1515 MacIain of Ardnamurchan's Mingarry Castle was besieged by the Clan MacDonald of Lochalsh and again two years later when they finally took the castle.
Other treacherous deeds against MacDonald of Lochalsh and treachery which led to the execution of the chief of the Clan MacDonald of Dunnyveg and his son eventually led to the death of John MacIain at the hands of his avenging kinsmen in 1518.
The 8th chief of the MacDonalds or MacIains of Ardnamurchan led his clan in support of the Clan Macdonald of Clanranald against the Clan Fraser of Lovat in the Battle of the Shirts in 1544. It is said that only eight MacDonalds and five Frasers survived.
17th Century to Present
By 1618 the MacDonalds or MacIains of Ardnamurchan had lost their lands through duplicity of the Clan Campbell. The fortunes of the clan declined and they were forced to go elsewhere. Many settled in Moidart under the Clan Macdonald of Clanranald whilst others migrated east to Badenoch, and others found new homes in the Scottish Lowlands. Many MacIains settled in Northern Ireland during the Ulster Plantations, with many of these travelling to the Americas. Later on in the 1800s, MacIains commonly settled in Australia and New Zealand. Many MacIain derivatives like "McKain" and "McKean", can also be plentifully found all over Scotland in Birth and Marriage records from the 1600's to the present. In recent years, there has been renewed interest in clan MacIain identity, especially in the diaspora residing in the United States. Although scattered, clan MacIain still has many thousands of descendants worldwide.[5]
- Mingary Castle, is located to the east of Kilchoan, on the Ardnamurchan peninsula, dates from the thirteenth century and was probably originally built by the clan MacDougall. The land of Ardnamurchan was given to the MacDonald's for their service in the armies of Robert the Bruce. Mingary was the residence of the MacIain chiefs and stronghold of the clan. Legend says that a remnant of the Spanish Armada helped the rival Clan MacLean to siege the castle of their old enemies in 1588. The MacLeans saw an opportunity and agreed to help the Spanish captain if he would help them attack their old enemies, the MacIains of Mingary. The Spanish captain had little choice but to agree, and together the Spanish and the MacLeans sailed across the Sound of Mull and attacked Mingary. The attack failed, but even today the small inlet below the castle is known as Port nan Spainteach, or Port of the Spaniard.[6]
- Dunyvaig Castle, on the Isle of Islay, Argyll was originally held by the MacDonalds but was given to the MacIans of Ardnamurchan at the end of the fifteenth century.[1] The property was later leased back to the MacDonalds and then passed to the Campbells.[1]
Septs of Clan MacDonald of Ardnamurchan include the following. Other branches of the Clan MacDonald have different septs. These surnames are all anglicized forms of the gaelic "MacIain", meaning "Son of John".
- Johnston (Isle of Coll)
- Johnson
- Kean
- Keene
- MacKean
- MacEan
- MacKain
- MacIan
- MacIain
- MacKane
- MacKeand
- MacCain [7]
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