TH E CLAN MACNAB

A S H O RT SK E T C H

J O H N M C N A B C A L L A N DE I?

of tbe C lan

PU B L ISH E D B " T H E C L A N M A C N A B A SSOC IA T I ON

1 SOUT H C H A RL OT T E ST RE E T E DIN B R H 3 , U G

P RE FA C E .

IN these days when so mu ch interest is taken in the revival of all

f e e e and n e emen of the matters o a C ltic charact r, a cl ar co cis stat t

n nn n ut history of the Clan M ac ab ca ot b e co sidere d o of place . T his v olume is the outcome of the decision of the Clan M acnab

‘ A n one of mee n M r. n M N ab of ssociatio at its ti gs , to ask Joh

n Callander to undertake the task of writi g a history of the Clan . A complete and exhau stive history is n ot possible until the re organisation of the Clan by the A ssociation has made the collection of mate rials for that purpose easier than at pre sent. A ny attempt at compiling a more complete an d exhaustive history

n e uen een e e e e me en the mem e has co s q tly b d f rr d to a lat r ti , wh b rs

the n can m e e un e u the me um of the of Cla or asily it , thro gh di

A n in n n u e . M e n e u ssociatio , attai i g that p rpos a whil , sho ld this

b e me n en d m n e m e work a a s to that , its issio is larg ly acco plish d .

If due n e n b e ven the e en n of ff co sid ratio gi to pr s t positio a airs, the m the l m e e b e en wisdo of i it d scop of this work will appar t.

S n e th e em n e F n n and the u m i c igratio of Chi f ra cis to Ca ada, lti ate

u e m e ue the n n ot n n m fail r of his al iss , Cla has k ow who to look

to the e e e and m one u e an d n e as h r ditary Chi f, fro ca s a oth r, par

’ ticularly through the Clan s activ e participation in the dynastic and other trouble s which hav e from time to time disturbe d the peace

the S t n n its mem e ve n me n of cot ish atio , b rs ha for a lo g ti bee

e e and e n i n e e an d the ex en v scatt r d far wid , its orga isat o d stroy d , t si e

n n e e e the e t its e ve e la ds, which o c w r prop r y of Chi fs, ha pass d — n the n n e n ee e e n ot the ex e n e i to ha ds of stra g rs i d d, w r it for ist c

the n en u un I nchb uie an n on the ve of a ci t b rial gro d at , isla d ri r

Dochart the e n the on e ime exte n ve , g ographical positio of at t si territory of the M acnab s would probably b e u nkn own to a large

n - nu mber of the Cla smen of to day . P F RE ACE .

A m n e e the n A n m the v o gst oth r obj cts, Cla ssociatio ai s at re ival of the u of the of the n and e n st dy history Cla , alr ady, tha ks to the n ne of the M u of B e ne f e are ff e ki d ss arq is r adalba , aciliti s a ord d

me m e the A nnu G e n v e and e to its b rs at al ath ri gs , to isit plac s obj cts m of interest to the .

T e e n o em m e e his book, as alr ady stat d, is att pt at a co pl t history, b ut it is hoped that it may assist in furthe ring the aims of the

n and e n in the e the e e n men A ssociatio , awak h arts of scatt r d Cla s the feeling that th ey are de scende d from those who in their day

i e the n me of M n and e worth ly bor a ac ab , as warriors had a shar in the making of the history of Scotlan d .

R . A . A B H IST O R" O F T H E C L A N M A C N .

T H E Clan Macnab is acknowledged by all H ighland historians and genealogists to be of very great antiquity , b u t unfortunately , its origin , like that of many others B of our Scottish aronial Houses , is lost in the mists of the by gone centuries . There are several reasons to explain why this unsatisfactory state of affairs should exist . The Public Records of the country through stress of time

- and war have not been over well preserved , and many valuable documents were destroyed when the monas te rie s were overthrown at the time of the Reformation . To give in detail the various accounts of the early genealogy of the M acnab s would be entirely beyond the scope of this epitome of the history of the Clan . In the 8th century St . Fillan founded the

Strathfillan . monastery of , and became its first abbot From this centre he preached Christianity to sur

rounding tribes , and founded other ecclesiastical houses Gle ndo chart in and Strathearn . In course of time the ancestor of the M acnab s ’ became Abbot of St . Fillan s Church . U nder the f was s o Celtic system the o fice of abbot hereditary,

there may have been several abbots in the family, but e ev ntually there came one abbot in particular, who founded the Clan and who se descendants became lay

abbots . This abbot "ourished in the reign of King

William the Lion , and held extensive possessions in

Breadalbane and Strathearn , and was joined with the 2

Earl of Athole in the management of Argyllshire . The Act entrusting him with the rule over the rebellious f C lare mathane amilies of that district is named , and is to be found among the Scots Acts of Parliament in the time of King William . H e was succeeded by his son who was known as

M ac- c u - aéa h or son and eir of the abbot , the a designation common to all Macnab chiefs . H is descendants had become a strong and numerous

clan before the time of Alexander I I I . I n 1 2 9 7 the Western Clans (of Perthshire and

Argyllshire) , under the leadership of Wallace , defeated

‘ and exterminated the Anglo I rish Army of M Fadye an whilst advancing to seize Argyllshire for Edward I . of

England . 1 06 M acnab s I n 3 the and their followers , along with M acnau hto ns the g , joined the Macdougalls of Lorn in

their attack on the Bruce . The two parties met Dalri h " at g , near Tyndrum , and in the con ict which M acnab s ensued , the , under their stalwart chief, Angus

Mor, are said to have displayed great prowess and

ferocity . I t was in this battle that the celebrated

brooch of Lorn was lost by the Bruce . Barbour ’ " M ak n speaks of Bruce s assailants as y Dorsers ,

and , if such they were , then they were followers of

- Macnab , as they were the hereditary door keepers ’ ill n a s . of St . F Church The Lorn tradition varies ’ somewhat from Barbour s account ; but , strange to

say , there was also a Macnab tradition which agreed ’ with Barbour s version , and there was a Macnab brooch which was said to have been won from the d Bruce . The tradition that is generally accepte as

correct is , that Bruce was suddenly attacked by three

powerful followers of Macnab . The King despatched t wo of his Opponents , and hurled the third backward ; but the man in falling seized the King ’ s mantle or

e plaid , and to save hims lf the King was obliged to abandon his garment , and with it the brooch which secured it . I t was a moment for haste , too , for

u Angus Mor was coming up in hot purs it, and had he and the Bruce met in mortal combat , it is probable that Scottish history would have been changed . For e Angus was hercul an in stature and strength , and in swordsmanship he ranked with Wallace . The Macnab brooch remained in the possession of the family of the Chief until the time of the Common it wealth , when passed into the hands of the Campbells of Glenlyon , whose descendants retained it until a a o e few years g , wh n it was purchased for the British

Museum . Many o f the place names in the neighbourhood of

Dalrigh o we their origin to this battle . About this time Barbour ascribes to a Macnab the credit of seizing

e - in - and d livering Christopher Seton , brother law of

Bruce , into the hands of the English .

1 0 8 u was I n 3 the ca se of Bruce prospering, and he resolved to wipe off all old scores against the Lord of the Isles and his allies . Collecting a strong force , he marched into Argyllshire in quest of his enemy . o f J ohn , the son of Alexander Macdougall Lorn , had ’ timely notice of the King s intentions, and accordingly prepared to give him a warm reception . H e posted his men and their allies in ambush in the Pass of was Brander, where the road so narrow that only one w person could pass at a time . I t as the scene of

‘ ’ M Fady e an s defeat ; but Bruce was acquainted with

u the co ntry , and he was , moreover, an abler and a craftier soldier than the I rish adventurer. H e divided 4 his force into two portions one of these he sent under Douglas to scale the heights which commanded the ’ H ighlanders position , and the other he led in person was into the Pass . The King, on entering the defile , who at once attacked by Lorn and his men , hurled rocks and arrows upon his force . I t seemed a critical moment , but Douglas , having reached his appointed place, in turn attacked the H ighlanders , and threw them into confusion . The fighting was sternly con the tested , but eventually allies had to seek safety in

"ight . They attempted to secure their retreat by breaking down a bridge over which they passed ; but in this endeavour they were foiled as the victors were

i too close upon their steps . Th s defeat , sharp and was f decisive though it , did not su fice to overthrow the M acnab s power of the Macdougalls and , nor did it 1 1 subdue their martial ardour . For, in 3 4 , we find them once more along with the Comyns arrayed under the English Standard at B annockburn . This latter defeat placed the M acnab s in a rather delicate position ; but concentrating their strength round a portion of their once great possessions, they were able to maintain themselves by their swords until the arrival of better and more tranquil times .

Bruce , after his triumph , granted the greater part of the Macnab lands to many of his loyal supporters , and ad also to certain ecclesiastical houses . The Dewars h s e ce e de d from the M ac nab s after the battle of the B Pass of rander, and were in active opposition to them at Bannockburn . So, in the division of the

Macnab lands , Bruce remembered their services , and granted them certain lands and privileges . I t is

Gle ndo ch re interesting to note, that Charters for y and Finlar is g were granted to Alexander Menzies . Although we find the Macdougalls and M acnab s

u we th s harassing, or in turn harassed by Bruce , must not regard them as utter traitors to their King and

u co ntry . On the contrary, they are to be looked upon

B alio ls as loyal partisans , first of the ; and secondly , of

the Comyns , whose claims to the Crown (through their

Baliol blood) were prior to those of Bruce . Much of this opposition to Bruce mu st be set down to their horror of his sacrilegiou s slaughter of the Red Comyn

in u m D fries . I t may be interesting at this stage to quote the genealogy of the M acn ab s as given in the o ld Gaelic

1 - " M S . of 400 1 46 7. I t is as follows — Do Ge n ealach mhic a n ab a e gre Gillamure mac E o gain mhic A e ngusa mhic b e athe d mhic A e ngusa mhic Gillamure loganaig mhic Fe rchair mhic Finlac e mhic Do nn c haich mhic Firtire ad mhic Gillafaelan mhic Gillamart an mhic Firtiread mhic L oairn mhic Fe rchair mhic C crmac A irb e art aigh mhic E re mhic Do nnaill d ui n mhic Fe rc hair A b raruadh mhic Fe radaig.

1 1 1 6 s From 3 4 until 3 3 , there is a blank in the hi tory o f of the Clan . That it was a period great stress and M ac nab s trouble is well known . To what straits the were redu ced at that time is shown by o n e tradition m which asserts that at one time they , or the ajority

Inchb u i of them , were forced to take refuge in , the

u n Do chart picturesq e isla d situated on the , near Killin ,

M ac nab s and which is known to the present day to the , “ scattered as they are all over the world , as The ” B u rialplace . From that position they were able to

u beat off all attacks , and event ally they emerged from

a . those trials with a cert in amount of success For, in 1 6 3 3 , we find Gilbert Macnab of Macnab making

is I h . peace with K ing David I , and obtaining from that monarch a Charter under the Great Sea"for the

Barony of Bovain . 6

e we e e H eretofor , as hav seen , there has been littl o f continuity in the annals the Clan . That we are

u of old descent is ab ndantly proved . I t is common t o o knowledge , , that we claim to have navigated , during w o n . the Deluge , an opposition boat of our The boast “ o f of one our Chiefs , that where Macnab sits is the ” head of the table , is now an old tale . But , as it is from the time o f Gilbert that we have to deal with a

u e continuo s history , supported by w ll authenticated documents , it is to him that is generally conceded the style and honou r of being the first chief of the Clan

hdac nab .

B R B I . . Of GIL E T MACNA , Chief, very little is known

is o Gilla mu re H e without d ubt identical with , whose name is the first on the Macnab genealogy of 1 400

1 6 . 4 7 H e would thus be grandson to Angus Mor, who had s o ably aided the Comyn interests in the wars

B a n d o ne of the ruce , who is and the same with

A e n us a e o n the . g , whose nam is the third genealogy That Gilbert had some ability is proved by his being u in a position to acq ire a Charter, and that he had som e foresight is shewn by his securing a Charter for

. the . Bovain H e died in reign of Robert I I , and was

" I. succeeded by his son , FINLA I , who was designed of Macnab and Bovain . Of Finlay we know little , save that he flourished in the reign of Robert I I . and “ L . Robert , and died in the reign of james I Some historians assert that he was a famous bard , and com posed one o f the poems which M ac Phe rs o n attribu te d to

u M acna b s u Ossian . Abo t this time the had a fe d with no the Macgregors ; it was occasioned , doubt , by the

f e loss of their lands during the War o I ndep ndence . The final battle took place in the vicinity of Crianlarich

1 2 6 . in 4 The battle was fiercely contested , and victory fell to neither side . So much reduced were

Gle nu r h the combatants by this encounter that g y ,

- considering himself capable of over powering them , actually obtained letters of fire and sword against the

rival clans . I n this instance , however, he had over

s M acnab s estimated his trength , for the successfully resisted all his attempts to dis pos e s s them of their

e lands . Often in the years that follow d did the s uccessive lairds of Gle nu rghy renew their efforts to dis o s e s s M ac nab s p the of their lands , but during the good old fighting days , those attempts ended in failure

w s u i and disaster . Finlay a s cceeded in the C h e ft ia n w R K . as ship by his son , PAT IC I I I , who confirmed in

1 6 in e Fe rb alo s ci A u chl ne 4 7 the Offic of p of y , by the

- s Prior of the Charter House in Perth . Ten year later

the n a A u chl ne Prior gra ted him new Charter for y , as t he form e r one had b e en lost . I n 1 48 7 Patrick

s a nd C hie ftians hi resigned his land p to his son , F i N L A v who is said to have been a celebrated

s bard , and who is upposed to be identical with Finlay

a a n d re d - e s M cnab , Finlay , the hair d bard, whose name and some of whose works are mentioned in T lze book

’ Ike D ea n L zs m r h w of of o e . I t is strange o those three

m u na es sho ld be considered as representing o ne person .

the - e For Finlay , red hair d , was clearly a member of

the Clan Gregor, and is stated to have been the family

a f b rd of Macgregor . The Macnab o that time could sca rcely bring himself to play the role of bard to a

rival chief. At this time the M acnab s seem to have set about the recovery of those of their possessions which had

been lost in their struggle with the Bruce . They became involved in a feud with the Dewars concerning

e n s . c rtai relic of St Fillan ; and , at the same time , 8 they commenced that struggle with the N e is he s which culminated , many years afterwards , in the defeat of the N Gle nb ou ltachan o Clan eish at the battle of , ab ut two o f miles north the lower end of Loch Earn . The

Dewars were neither numerous nor warlike , and in their extremity they applied to the Crown for pro 1 8 t e ction . I n 4 7 they obtained a Charter confirming them in their possessions , and from that date they had

u u n was a no f rther tro ble with the M ac ab s . I t prob bly due to those clan feuds and his own advanced age , that

Patrick resigned his honours to his son . Be that as it A uchl ne may , Patrick died at y , in the year following his resignation in favour of his son . I n 1 486 Finlay Macnab obtained a Charter from

King James I I I . , under the Great Seal , of the lands

ish le nd A rdch le Du rn G ocha rt . of y and Wester , in

1 0 2 . r Again , in 5 , he received from J ames I V a Cha ter

L ira a n l nd e G e o chart . of the lands of Ewer and g , in At the same time he obtained from the Prior of the Carthusian Monastery at Perth a grant of a croft in “ " Killin , paying, therefor, early to the parish of Killin

u o f three po nds wax in honour of the Blessed Virgin , and St . Fillan , and All Saints , for the increase of St . ’ Fillan s light before his image , one pound whereof at the Feast of St . Fillan in Summer, and another at the ” Feast of St . Fillan in Winter .

Soon after that date , Finlay died , in the reign of " J ames I V . , and was succeeded by his son , FINLA V f who ( . , Chie ) , seems to have been satisfied with merely safeguarding the property which had been recovered by his father. H e appears as a witness to a Charter under the Great Seal to D u ncan Campbell

Gle nu r h 1 8th 1 1 1 of g y , which is dated September , 5 , and wherein he is designated Finlaus M ac N ab f K i n la s s ie F i fe M C B E s . o , J OHN A NA , q , g , m v r B a t h a t e Gle n a s , g , Firs t P re s ide n t o f t h e S o c re tyg

9

u e m s domin s de ode . I t was in the time of thi Chief N e is he s that the were at last defeated , and reduced to

f . o . a small band reckless outlaws M r Christie , in one of his articles , quotes the following notice from “ the chronicle of Fothergill " Finlay M ac N ab of B o wa ne y , died at Illa Rayne , and he was buried at

1 1 2 . Killin , 3 th April , 5 5

was s u " I . f H e cceeded by his son , F NLA (V I Chie ) , e e o f e who was vid ntly a man anoth r stamp , and who lacked the ability and energy of his father and grand

M a i - . r o t father H is mother, Campbell , was life rented o f L e ira a n o n in the lands Ewer and g , and her death , 1 2 6 in 5 , these lands passed to her second son , J ohn ,

v in terms of a Charter in his fa our. Finlay mortgaged the greater part o f his estate to

Gle nu r h u Colin Campbell of g y , nder a Charter dated

2 th 1 2 4 November, 5 5 , and this Charter is confirmed by a Charter under the Great Seal from Mary , dated

2 th 1 . 7 J une, 5 5 3 I t was from this transaction that Gle nu rghy claimed to have c o nque s s it the superiority ‘ ” a h i of M N b b his a ll landis . But that claim was M ab never acknowledged by the acn s . o f I n the records of the Privy Council Scotland , 1 2 we 5 5 , find mention is made of a member of the

Clan , a certain Allister Macnab . I n that year the Council gave orde rs for the raising of a body of Scottish soldiers to assist the King of France in his wars . Two regiments of H ighland foot soldiers were included in the composition of this force , and among who those were enrolled was Allister Macnab. Who this Allister was , and what was his ultimate fate , we are not informed ; but in all probability he was some near connection of the Chief. 1 0

a th 1 8 On August 7 , 5 7 , at Stirling Castle , Colin A rdb aith Campbell of , became caution for Allister B arra th y Macnab , son of Allister Macnab , that he would appear upon the third day of the next Justice f Air of the Sherif dom of Perth , or sooner elsewhere ’ u pon fifteen days warning to underlye the law for all crimes that may be imput to him . About this time M acnab s e the had , apparently , be n bringing them selves within the reach of the law . I n the Roll C la nnis of the (in the H ielands and I sles) , that her

C he ffi s C hie ftaine s u ho me Capitaines , , and , q on they landislordis depend oft tymes agains the Willis of their , and

b ranchis C lannis of sum special persons of of the saidis ,

‘ ”

1 8 we M N ab b is . 5 7, find mention is made of the

‘ M N ab A rdna ald Patrick Dow , Wester g , is one of the witnesses to a Bond of M anrent between the Fletchers of A u challade r and Duncan Campbell of “ Gle n u r h Finlari 8th g y , dated at g, November, A rdna ald of o f g is now a portion the farm Bovain , in Gle ndochart.

‘ The M N ab b is are also named in the Roll of the 1 broken Clans in the H ighlands and I sles , 5 94 , in an “ act for the punishment of theft , reiff, oppression , and s oirn ing.

Finlay , the Mortgager, was succeeded by his son ,

I " . F NLA (V I I Chief) , who entered into a bond of friendship and manrent with his kinsman L au chlan h rd ll 1 6 Strat o e 2 1 60 . Mackinnon of , on July th , This U ir bond is dated at , and is witnessed by James M ac N ab b M ac N ab b M ac N ab b , Robert , Duncan Dow , M ac N ab b M ac N ab b Archibald , Gibbie , J ohn Mac Dho nn e ll re u ich M ackin no ns u the rs , and E wan , with , and is signed L au chland Mise myself) Mac F n ingo .

I 2

wa shoulders across the hills to Loch Earn , by y of Gle ntarke n . H aving reached the loch , they launched their boat and rowed to the island , where the robbers were holding their carou sal with the stolen s upplies . On their arrival at the island the grim avengers sunk all the boats in the little harbour, and then proceeded N to the habitation of the e ishe s . I n the keep was

n a scene of revelry and confusio , for holding all the

in N e is he s boats on the loch their own keeping , the deemed their hold to be impregnable . Strange , therefore , must have been the thoughts which passed through their minds , when loud above the din of their noisy mirth they heard a sharp and sudden m knocking at the outer door. I m ediately their noisy merriment ceased , all became silent , and then in a quavering voice the terrified N eish demanded the n ame and mission of the one who had thus disturbed “ their orgy . Swiftly came the answer, Whom would ” ? l a in M in ye least desire The speaker was , or

o f Smooth J ohn , the heir Macnab, and the strongest and fiercest man in all B ra idalb in . With that stern voice sounding in his ears, and with a foreboding of his “ ”

e l a m M in . doom rising before him , the Neish r plied , Sharp through the midnight air came again that grim ’ b e voice Then I am he , but rough enough I ll this night . Trusting in the strength of the stout door the

u robbers attempted to treat for terms . But sp rning

l a in M n o ne all thought of parleying, , with swift blow sent the door reeling off its hinges ; and next instant he and his brothers were dealing death to the hereditary

N e is he s foes of their H ouse . The , surprised and demoralised by the rapidity and ferocity o f their f the assailants , of ered but little resistance . When can fighting , if such it be called, was over, there I 3

remained of the N e is he s but two survivors . One was a young lad who had succeeded in concealing himself in time to avoid the vengeance which overtook his family . The other was a femal e child who escaped the notice

u of the M ac n ab s by being under an overt rned cradle .

n m Their task having bee acco plished , the young M ac nab s secured the gory head of the Neish as a

‘ trophy of their victory , They then recovered their n f boat and retraced their jour ey o the previous night . Ere they left Gle ntarke n they abandoned their boat as it retarde d the news of their triumph . The boat was never re moved from the place where it was left by the M ac nab s and men born within the past centu ry have talked Wi th men who have viewed its well - bleached s fragments . Some time early in la t century a portion of the keel was dug out of the moss in which it was

M a embedded . Part of it was given to Mrs . c N aughto n w ho . lived near St Fillans , and she had it made into a bicke r and a walking stick . She was Margaret M ilmore Macnab , daughter of James Macnab , , near “ " Innis he we n . Killin , and was known as Margaret The bicker and certain Macnab heirlooms which belonged to her father are still preserved by her

. o u r descendants But this is a digression from narrative . I n the morning the chief was delighted to find that the n mission of vengea ce had been successful . The proof ’ was convincing when I a in M in cast N e is h s head at ’ ’ ' e e N a é zoa lz a mfi ozrM his f t and said in Gaelic , fi , or

n dread nought . And Macnab ack owledged as he received the gruesome trophy that the night had be en the night and the lads were the lads . From this deed are derived the modern arms of the

M a c nab s e e f . Th re is a local tradition to the fect that b u t s e three of the ons took part in the ent rprise, and I 4 that the chief in giving the signal for the attack on the N e is he s only acted at the instigation of his wife who had some real o r fancied cause of grievance against the three eldest sons . I t is said that she hoped that they wou ld be slain s o that her favourite son should be heir to the estates . And according to the same tradition , the three sons were by an earlier marriage . H istory , o f however, makes no mention a second wife . I n 1 63 3 there is an act in favour of the Laird of Gle nu rghy granting him ce rtain lands in the Lordship

d hart u 1 6 of Gle n o c and elsewhere . Abo t 40 a battle o n was fought the hills above Killin , between the

u O o f . o followers of Ang s g XV I , Keppoch , and a b dy

B raidalb in o f M ac nab s of men consisting Campbells , ,

u and Menzies . There appears to be some do bt as to the cause of the contest . One version is that Angus was on his homeward way from a foray in Stirlingshire “ ” Gle nu r h a and intended to lift the g y c ttle in passing . Another version states that the foray was one in retal ation for a raid made into Keppoch in the pre v io ns ye ar by the B raidalb in men . Whatever may have been the cam s delli F inlarig was the scene o f marriage

u festivities when Ang s was first descried , but chief and clansman promptly forsook the groaning board to try

b ut their fortunes in the field . The fight was brief,

wo n B raidalb in sanguinary , and was by the men , who ,

u n by their superior knowledge of the gro d, had their

T he foes at a disadvantage . Keppoch men managed

s o to save their booty, but closely were they persued by the victors that they were obliged to leave Angus O g, sorely wounded , in a shealing where he was after m wards discovered and slain by a Ca pbell . There is a tradition that Finlay Macnab outlived his stalwart son , and died at an advanced age after the I S

— battle of Worcester 1 6 5 3 is given as the date of his death . But as J ohn certainly acted as o f chief, and as he is styled the Laird Macnab in several state papers, we are therefore entitled to regard him as the V I I I . chief. J ohn Macnab ( Iain M in) who married Mary o f Campbell , daughter Duncan Campbell , Laird of

a n d Glenlyon , by her he had a son Alexander, and a daughter Agnes who married Captain Alexander

u Campbell , of the H o se of Achallader.

During the civil war the chief, with the majority of

fo r . his clansmen , fought the royal cause J oining

o f Montrose after the battle Alford , Macnab remained

o f with him until after the battle Kilsyth , when he was commissioned by his leader to defend the Castle of

u t u 1 4 Kincardi n e . The castle held o ntil the th day of 1 6 6 March , 4 , and was then abandoned by its defenders

through lack of food and water. Macnab and his

u o f servant were capt red , but the rest the garrison

escaped in the sally . 1 6 I n December, 4 5 , whilst many of the clansmen

A rdkin las s were holding Kincardine , Campbell of g collected a strong body of Argy llshire men and raided

l a G e ndo cha rt . There he w s joined by the Glenorchy

e Campb lls and the disaffected Menzies and Stewarts .

U e nabl to stem the force of this motley host , a small party o f Macgregors and M acnab s captured the Castle E dinam le of p from its owner, Colin Campbell , and

e therein they fortified themselv s . Whilst the coven

u anting force lay aro nd the castle , Montrose, who was o f ff then in Strathspey, was notified the state of a airs

around Lochearn , and he promptly gave orders to his kinsman Graeme of Inchb rakie to raise a body of

Athole men and advance against the besiegers . H is 1 6

s In chb ra kie e command were carried out by , whos sudden appearance alarmed the whigs and forced them to seek safety in flight . Reinforced by the small party Inchb rakie in the castle , moved in pursuit of the

Campbells and overtook them at Callander. Having cross ed the T e ith at that place the fugitives rallied unde r the belief that they could hold the fords of the river against their pursuers . But Graeme speedily undeceived them , for splitting up his force and sending a small party to attack the enemy in front while a stronger body crossed by a ford higher up the river, he attacked the whigs in front and Hank and rooted them from their position . The defeated force scattered in almost all directions and fled by devious ways s o towards Stirling , and hotly were they pursued by Graeme that the pursuit ceased only when they were

within a mile of that town . About this time the names o f several M ac nab s occur in the Scots Acts of Parliament I n an Act of 1 6 exemption , in 4 9, is the name of a certain J ohn

‘ ‘ M N ab 1 6 0 Baine . I n 5 there is a supplication from

‘ M N ab the J onat Campbell , relict of J ohn , anent ’ u m hil u adjustment of her p e h sband s compts . I n the

u o f same vol me (vi . ) there are the names Capt . J ohn ‘ ‘

N . M N b M . a . ab , keeper of Garth , and Capt Wm Macnab and his servant after being captured in the

sally from Kincardine were conveyed to Edinburgh ,

a nd e ther they were thrown into the castle . After a

brief trial Macnab was condemned to death , but on the night previous to the day fixed for his e xecution he escaped from the castle and made his way back to

l nd char G e o t .

6 e 1 0 . I n 5 Charles I I was rec ived by the Scots , and amongst those who joined his standard was J ohn o m m an d e r J M B Ro al a v a l Re s e rv e C OHN ACNA , y N ,

’ ‘ h F i rs t V i ce F re S Ide n t o t e Soc i et y .

1 8 in the series of battles which culminated in the total o f defeat the Caithness men at Altimarloch , three

o f miles from the town Wick . D u ring the time o f this Chief a robber on his way home from a creach in Strathearn was met at the south end of the Bridge o f Do chart by M acnab who refus e d

n to allow him to pass through the Macnab La ds . The robber drew his sword and so furious was his attack that Macnab was obliged to give way before him but Donald Mandach Mac n ab in the Slio chd o f Kinnell taking his chief’ s place forced the robber to surrender

u u his sword and give p his booty . The creach th s recovered was restored to the plundered victims in

a Strathe rn . Among the Government documents o f 1 6 78 is “ a list of the names o f the H eads and branches of families that are to come to Inv e rlo chy and give bond to the Commissioners of Council betwixt ” x o n and on the twenty day of November ne t , and first the list is Archibald M ac N ab o f A u charn 3 rd o n the

' ‘ Finla M N ab o f th list is y I nnis Ewen , and 4 last on

‘ M N f t rathfillan the list is James ab in the Kirkton o S . I t was probably about that time that a robber who l u rked among the rocks at the head o f Gle n ogle and preyed upon u nwary travellers was met and slain by a member Of the Clan . I n 1 7 1 4 (March 1 3 - 2 2 ) James M ac N ab was pro s e cu te d for the slaughter of o ne M ac H o mis h by the sword . During the brief Campaign of the Fifteen the Earl o f Breadalbane and his brother- in - law Macnab of

Macnab remained at home , but their respective clans are reported to have been o u t for the H ouse of

Stewart . At that time the Jacobites had a large I 9 permanent Camp in Strathfilla n ; and in 1 7 1 9 a body of H ighlanders from that Camp marched north to Glenshiel Where they joined a party o f Spanish troops and fought against the Government forces under

General Whightman . The H ighlanders claimed to have beaten the Government forces ; but shortly after

n wards the Spa iards , disheartened by their wild surroundings , were glad to surrender. I n 1 72 4 General Wade moved through the H ighlands making his roads and collecting the arms o f the Clans . Next year he called upon the M acnab s to surrender their arms , but in this instance he had to content him self with a refusal . Throughout the troubles o f the Forty - fi v e the Chi e f and his own immediate family were staunch

u s pporters of the Government . J ohn Macnab his eldest r s o n fou ght as a Captain of the 4 2 nd Regiment at Prestonpans where he was taken prisoner by the J acobites and committed to Doune Castle fo r safe keeping . The Clan at large u nder Alexander Macnab of

In n ishe we n Of , Archibald Macnab Acharn and Alan

f u n u n Macnab o D d rn fought for the Stewarts . Do ald

M a c N ab , Brae Leing (sic) , is the only Macnab whose name is given in the Lists o f Rebels supplied to the e o f Governm nt by the Supervisors Excise . H e was

u o f n o f In n is he we n a yo nger brother Mac ab . That other M ac n ab s were n ot named in the Lists is due t o the fact that in those days Gle ndochart was beyond the reach Of the Law and Excise . After Culloden some o f the Soldiers stationed at Finlarig set ou t t o bu rn the house o f C o rry chao ro ch f on the north side o Benmore . As they reached their destination they were observ ed by a member o f the 20

Innise we n family who divining their object placed himself under cover and opened fire on them and so unerring was his aim that seven (or as some reports s ay nine) soldiers fell ere the others abandoned their task as impossible . When the government troops were scouring the B raes of Balquhidder in search o f Jacobites the daughter of Finlay Macnab in C ra igru ie is said to have saved the o f Gle nb u ckie who life Of Stewart was then an infant, by carrying him to a place of concealment in the hills . I n the Appendix to Chambers H istory Of the Rebellion there are several references to Alexander o f Innishe we n Macnab , in the papers of Murray of

B roughton Secretary to Charles . ‘ ’ “ M L a s Ro b Ro According to y y , the Grants M ackinnons M ac nab s who , and Mackays and others

‘ had departed from the M Gre gors held several co n fe re nce s with them in 1 74 8 (during a meeting which lasted for fourteen days in Athole) fo r the purpose of petitioning Parliament to repeal the attainder that hung O e v r them , but some disagreement having taken place among their chiefs as to the general name under which o f t all hem should again be rallied, their meetings and resolu tions were broken off and no fu rther notice taken ” of the proposal . Robert M ac N ab had a numerous family but only two

e e sons survived him . Th y were J ohn who becam

v to who ele enth Chief (after referred ) , and Archibald died at Edinburgh 2 nd January 1 790 and was buried

u f at Inchb i. Archibald followed the profession o arms

rd and his Commissions date , as ensign in the 4 3 ’ Regiment raised in M ay 1 740 ; as C aptaIn In L ondo n s H ighlanders 1 74 5 ; as Major in J ohn Campbell o f

- 1 L t . 1 Duntroons H ighlanders 75 7 and Colonel in 777. E . H O L L A N D M O N A B E s J P . . S S . C . d in b u r h , q , , , E g ,

Firs t S c r t a r o f t h e So c i t e e y e y .

2 1

H e served in the Wars in Europe and America , and o f was at the taking of "uebec . At the time his

- death he was a Lieutenant General .

Of the Kinnell ladies of this time one , Anne, married J ohn Stewart 7th of Fas naclo ich ; another named Christian married Alan Stewart of I nnerhadden 2 nd o f son of Rev . Duncan Stewart I nnerhadden and

arr Strathg y . Another daughter is said to have married a member of the Dundurn family . Patrick Campbell s o n of Duncan the disinherited , and Patrick Campbell XX I o f the House of Craignish are also said to have f of taken their wives from the family o Kinnell . One the 1 5 1 Witnesses called by the Crown in the Trial o f James Stewart of the Glens in 1 75 2 fo r the murder o f of Gle n u re M ac N ab Colin Campbell , was Anne Roy , to M ac N ab who daughter the deceased Alexander , f was o . brother to J ohn Macnab , Bovain B J OHN MACNA X I . Chief married J ean Buchanan only sister o f Francis Buchanan laird o f Arnprior who 1 6 was executed at Carlisle in 74 . Anne Campbell widow o f Robert M ac N ab of L chd chart 6 h Macnab died at o o t September 1 765 . “ Pennant in his Tou r o f 1 769 mentions that in

‘ Gle nu rghy dwells M N ab a smith Whose family have lived in that humble station since the year 1 440 being f always o the same profession . The first of the line was employed by the lady o f Sir Duncan Campbell who built the Castle o f Kilchu rn f when her lord was absent . Some o their tombs are in the Churchyard of Gle nu rghie ; the oldest has a hammer ” o f n and other implements his trade cut o it . These Smiths were famed for the manufacture of

' s zan du M s— swords , H ighland dirks and g the temper and style of blade being unrivalled . 2 2

J ohn Macnab died at Kinnell 1 9th February 1 778

80 u aged years and was s rvived by his widow , two sons and two daughters . His sons were Francis who succeeded him , and Robert who was a Doctor and

u married Anne Ma le . H is daughters were Elizabe th an d o f o ne — Marjory , whom married Dick M iller , Esq . , l and the other married Colonel Campbell o f B aly v e o an . F RANCI S MAC NAB X I I Chief was quite a celebrity in

u his day . I n stat re and appearance he was a man cast ’ in u nature s largest mo ld , and his strength was

u enormo s . H e was strong in will , and was witty and

n o ne m origi al in his ideas . At time he was a far er on

v a large scale , and his extensi e holdings stretched from “ ” the Varied realms o f fair M enteith to his o wn

u o f Gle nd chart L chta s id r gged scenery o and o y e . H u morous and eccentric he might be ; but he was m s o beloved by his clans en , and well might it be , for he o f was a typical Macnab , and the ideal what a

u o f H ighland chief sho ld be . H e was a humane o f disposition , and many his kindly deeds as well as his witty sayings are still treasu red in the memories o f those whose forefathers claimed kinship o r aqu aintan ce with f r . o him As a J ustice of the Peace Perthshire , he was ever sympathetic with the poor, and remarkably subtle in his decisions . I t was to his foresight in the early years of last ce n tury that Callander owes its famous Dread

u no ght H otel . H is many business ventures kept him in a s tate o f pe rpetu al worry ; and t o the cares of bu siness he added the excitement Of several good going law pleas . ’ m o n rd 1 8 1 1 At Fuentes d Onora (Al eida) May 3 , ,

u M ac N ab o f Lie tenant Allan , died his wounds , and to his memory a small tablet was inserted in the wall of

u In chb u i u the enclos re at by his co sin , Archibald

2 4

Robert Macnab of Bovain . I n early life Archibald o n had studied law, and succeeding to the estates , he combined the profession o f a private banker with his duties as a chief and landed proprietor. H e married a M iss Robertson whose father was a Writer to the

Signet , and one of the Clerks in the Register H ouse , B Edinburgh . y her he had eight children of Whom but one Sarah Ann survived him the others all died

. out in infancy H is speculations turned disastrously, and in order to make ends meet he was obliged to dis

of o f . pose some his lands But his troubles increased , and o wn nd owing to his folly a extravagance his creditors, o f whom Lord Breadalbane was the principal one , were forced to take strong measures against him in o wn order to protect their interests . They Obtained a o f o decree from the Court Sessi n , and for some time the Chief was a fugitive from J ustice . I n 1 8 2 1 he and many of his clans pe Ople emigrated to Canada where he had obtained a land grant . H is changed condition carried no lesson to the Chief, and in Canada he proceeded to live over again his Old life of foolish extravagance . I n 1 8 2 8 the old estate o f the M acnab s passed from the family in virtue Of a Decreet from the Court of

Session . I n Canada his tenants imbibed the Western air of freedom and soon began to Object to his control

l n . u 1 8 over their a d Troubles m ltiplied and by 3 7, the

o f year the Rebellion , they were in open revolt against his authority , and refused to enlist in the regiment he

to was commissioned raise H is kinsman , Allan

‘ M N ab o f u N apier D ndurn , H amilton , Ontario , was more fortunate, and prompt suppression of the Rebellion was due mainly to his energetic measures . M rs OGIL V" R D E I .

2 5

I n recent years there have been several articles written on Macnab ; but they showed in most instances a decided bias against the Chief. Faults he certainly had, but at the same time it ought to be remembered that he had also many good qualities , and that his opponents were not wholly free from blame . I n 1 85 3 Macnab returned to Europe and after revisiting his native land retired to the Continent ,

o - du - Where he died at Lannion , C tes Nord, Bretagne, 1 2 1 860 8 France , th August , , aged 3 . Like all his

was predecessors he stately in appearance, and courtly and affable in his manner ; he was strong willed and of a proud passionate disposition . H e lacked the great stature and strength of his uncle ’ Francis , and he lacked that uncle s grim regard f w for the lands and honour o Macnab . Whilst he as a bitter and relentless foe he was kindly disposed to the needy and hospitable to all who entered his house . With him passed away the last acknowledged

Chief of the Clan . H is widow died at Florence in 1 868 and his daughter Sarah A nn who styled herself of Macnab and wore the triple plumes denoting the headship of the Clan , died at the same place in 1 8 January , 94 .

M acnab s Sprung from the , and of collateral descent with them , are the Macnairs , a family well known in certain parts of Perthshire . Their ancestor simply dropped the Macnab from the old designation of ” Oi hre Macnab g , and retained the latter portion of

Oighre or Eyre (H eir) as his surname . The Macnairs are mentioned on the records in the 1 4th century . 4&

I n the various accounts of the M acnab s of Macnab we find that they intermarried with the families of Lord 2 6

o f In chb rakie Gray of Kinfauns, Graeme , Drummond o f Balloch , Robertson of Struan , and Haldane of

Gleneagles .

C L A N N S E PTS OF AN A BA .

M ac N ab s M ac N ab b s M ac nab s M ac N airs , , , , Mac

‘ ‘ ‘ M N M N ab b s M N nairs , abs , , airs , Abbots , Abbotsons ,

S Gilfillans Abbotts, certain Dewars , DOW , Gows , Baines , ,

‘ ‘ M C la an s M In M ac o wans t re s & C . g , g , y ,

S G IO OF F DE I NAT N CHIE .

Oi hre s o n o f Mac an Aba, g , or and heir the Abbot ,

‘ ‘ ‘ M ac N ab M N ab M N ab o f M N ab M ac N ab , The , , of

Bovain .

D CA ETS .

A u charn In n ishe we n Strathfillan , Dundurn , , , Suie,

& c . N ewton , Cowie , J amaica,

M " FA IL SEAT.

Do chart Anciently Eilean Ran , at the junction of the and Loch Tay , modern residence dating from the

o f . time the Commonwealth , Kinnell

R BANNE .

The Green one common to the Clans o f the

Siol Alpin Confederacy .

RM A S.

S a . on a Chev . Ar. 3 Crescents vert . in base an open boat in a Sea ppr.

R C EST.

’ A Savage s head affrontee ppr. 2 7

hd rT o o .

“ “ N a b itheadh fiamh o irb h or B ithe adh e a al , g ” T ime r Omn is fada bho gach duine , Dreadnought , t a ées o.

S UA IC H E A N T A S OR BADGE .

' ' Ru ite a t éu s saxa tztzs g, Roebuck berry ( , Stone bramble) .

- GH A I RM R R R" CATH O WA C .

PI P E M U SIC .

’ “ a M acnab s u C . o F ilte Mhic an Aba, or Sal te thio nal C hlo inn T he an Aba, Gathering of the Clan f . o Macnab The March the Clan Macnab . The

Retreat of the Clan Macnab .