Clan MacKinnon
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| Clan MacKinnon | |
|---|---|
 |
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| Motto | Audentes Fortuna Juvet (Fortune Favours the Brave) |
| Origins | |
| Gaelic name(s) | MacFhionghuin "Son of the Fair Born" |
| Branches | |
| Sept(s) | MacKinney, MacKinning, MacKinven, Love, MacMorran |
| Arms |  |
| Tartan(s) | The Clan MacKinnon has two Tartans; a red sett known as the clan Tartan, and a green sett known as the hunting Tartan. |
| Plant badge | Bog Myrtle |
| Clan chieftain | Ann Gunheild MacKinnon |
| Clan seat(s) | |
| Website | |
Clan MacKinnon is one of the most ancient Highland Scottish clans and a branch of the Siol Alpin.
Contents |
[edit] Battles and history
[edit] Origins of the Clan
The Clan MacKinnon is a branch of the House of Alpin. It descends from Alpin’s third son Prince Gregor, younger brother of Kenneth MacAlpin, first king of united Scotland.
It was Alpin’s great-grandson Findanus, the 4th MacKinnon chief, who gave the clan its name. He was seized of the estate of the Tobermory in the Isle of Mull and Findanus Castle (Dunakin) in the Isle of Skye; this castle was the residence of the Lairds of MacKinnon till the 14th century, when Strathardill, also in Skye, became their seat. Findanus and his bride, the Norse princess nicknamed ‘Saucy Mary,’ ran a heavy chain from Skye to Lochalsh and levied a toll on all shipping passing up and down. It is from him that the MacKinnon chiefs obtained their Gaelic Patronymic.
[edit] Wars of Scottish Independence
During the Wars of Scottish Independence the MacKinnons assistance to the King Robert I of Scotland were rewarded with the grant of their Skye estate. And their eclasitical associations are still very evident on Iona; they are kin to Saint Columba and the last abbot on Iona was a notably worldly priest named John MacKinnon, known as the “Green Abbot.”
The MacKinnon associations have always been Heberdian and historically in Skye, Iona, Arran, and Mull. It is in the Isle of Skye however that the majority of the clan estates came to be. In 1380 the Clan MacKinnon along with Clan MacLean and Clan MacLeod were defeated in battle by Donald MacConald, Lord of the Isles, who vindicated his right as Lord of the Isles.
[edit] 15th Century & Clan Conflicts
1400, The MacLeans had become powerful associates of Macdonald Lord of the Isles. As a result tensions had increased between the MacLeans and MacKinnons. The climax came on a day in the year 1400, when the Lord of the Isles, who had been hunting in Mull, set out to return to Ardtornish Castle, his stronghold on the opposite shore of the Sound of Mull. As Mackinnon was stepping into his galley to follow, Lachlan and Hector Maclean fell upon him and slew him. They then disarmed his men, and hastening after the Lord of the Isles, seized his galley and forced him to grant them an indemnity for the deed. A long feud continued between the MacLeans and MacKinnons.
Battle of Doire Shuaig, In a desperate battle between the Clan MacKinnon and Clan MacLean at Doire Shaig the battle was going in the MacKinnons favour. However a MacKinnon who had married a MacLean deserted with all his followers. The MacKinnons fled to a cavern but the MacLeans found it and smoked the place. Some of the MacKinnons managed to get in a boat and row to the Isle of Staffa where they hid the deserter Mackinnon in a great cave which is still known today as MacKinnons' Cave. He later escaped to Skye. Unfortunately as a result the MacKinnons lost all of their lands.
Of the feud with the Macleans which followed many incidents are related. On one occasion the young Chief of the Mackinnons was forced to seek refuge in Ireland. There the Earl of Antrim gave him forty men to support him. The party landed at Camus na fola, the Bloody Bay a couple of miles north-west of Tobermory in Mull, and to discover the whereabouts of his enemies Mackinnon paid a visit to an old woman of his clan who lived in a certain lonely glen. He told her he had forty men to carry out an attack. She replied, " Do as I tell you, and you will have possession of your lands by sunrise." Following her counsel he took to the woods with his party, where each man cut and stripped a caber. Surrounding Ledaig House, where MacLean of Duart and MacLean of Lochbuie lay asleep, they planted their cabers in the ground, the Chief placing his before the door with his naked sword hung on it. In the morning the astonished Macleans, realising who had been their visitor, and that he could easily have taken their lives if he had wished, sent for Mackinnon and restored his lands.
[edit] 17th Century & Civil War
Chief Lauchlin MacKinnion of Strathairdle enterd a bond of friendship with his cousin Finlay the 7th laird of Clan MacNab on the 12th July 1606 during the reign of King James IV of Scotland.
During the Civil War the Clan MacKinnon fought at the Battle of Inverlochy (1645) where they were victorious in support of the Royalist James James Graham, 1st Marquess of Montrose.
Later during the Civil War Chief Lauchlen MacKinnon raised a regiment in support of King Charles I which fought at the Battle of Worcester in 1650.
[edit] 18th Century & Jacobite Risings
The MacKinnons have been throughout the majority of their history a small clan with a strong sense of honor, even to a fault as as evidenced with their conviction to the Jacobite cause in 1715 and 1745 after which they were dispossed of their lands. The Clan MacKinnon fought at the Battle of Sheriffmuir in 1715. Later men from the clan also fought at the Battle of Glen Shiel in 1719.
The MacKinnons supported in force Bonnie Prince Charlie during the 1745 rising and accompanied him throughout his campaigns. Part of the Clan MacKinnon army was at the Battle of Culloden another part instead stationed near Inverness. They were among the last to remain at arms. The MacKinnons also sheltered Bonnie Prince Charlie after the Battle of Culloden.
After being out in 1745, the fortunes of the MacKinnons declined markedly until the mid 19th century, when all things Scottish came into vogue. Subsequently, they became successful in politics (with the MacKinnon chief becoming a Member of Parliament), the military, and business. However, this latter success is due to individual efforts since the historical family lands have been lost.
[edit] Clan Septs
Whilst MacKinnon, McKinnon & Mac/McKinning are "sons of the fair born", MacKinvens & Loves are 'Sons of the Loved One' both owing prominence to Alpin. The McKinven and Love septs translate their name to the Gaelic as MacIonmhuinn.
[edit] Castle
The seat of the chief of the Clan MacKinnon was at Caisteal Maol on the Isle of Skye.
[edit] Clan Chiefs
| Date | Chief | Notes (Estimated dates are shown as |
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| I | 821 | Alpin | 68th Fabulous, 28th authentic, King of Scotland, slain in Galloway, a.d. 841 by Brudus, King of the Picts, from whom he had wrested the scepter. |
| II | 837 | Prince Gregor | Third son of King Alpin. He never succeeded to the throne. |
| III | 900 | Doungallus | His eldest son; he married Spontana, daughter of a King of Ireland. |
| IV | FINDANUS | Second son of Doungallus, was seized of the estate of the Tobermory in the Isle of Mull and Findanus Castle (Dunakin) in the Isle of Skye, known by the name of MacKinnon Castle in the present day; this castle was the residence of the Lairds of MacKinnon till the 14th century, when Strathardill, also in Skye, became their seat. Findanus and his bride, the Norse princess nicknamed ‘Saucy Mary,’ ran a heavy chain from Skye to Lochalsh and levied a toll on all shipping passing up and down. It is from him that the MacKinnon chiefs obtained their Gaelic Patronymic. | |
| V | 976 | MacFindanus MacAlpin | Son of Findanus, called MacFingon MacAlpin, acquired further property in the Western Isles and in the shires of Perth and Ross. For some period after this the descendants of Alpin frequently assumed the patronymic of MacAlpin in addition to their other appellations. |
| VI | 1020 | Donald MacFingon MacAlpin | |
| VII | 1033 | Cormac MacFingon MacAlpin | |
| VIII | Lachlan | ||
| IX | Lachlan | ||
| X | Kenneth | ||
| XI | Donald | ||
| XII | Lachlan | ||
| XIII | Eowin or John | ||
| XIV | Alpin | ||
| XV | Lachlan | ||
| XVI | Donald | ||
| XVII | 1342 | Eobhan or Ewen | After the death of John, Lord of the Isles, circa 1350, MacKinnon took part in the rebellion against the heir to the Lordship, and was hanged for his trouble. |
| XVIII | 1350 | Lachlan | Called Sa’gartach, or Fogarach-Supposed to be the same who was concealed in MacKinnon’s Cave in Mull when pursued by the MacLeans. |
| XIX | 1409 | Lachlan na Thiomlaidh | “vir nobilis.” The Barterer; so called for having exchanged more valuable lands in Mull for the Isle of Scalpa, with MacLean of Duart. Witnessed MacLean Charter 1409. |
| XX | Nial Buidh | ||
| XXI | Lachlan Bhan | ||
| XXII | 1513 (1517) | Nial Bhan | MacLean of Dowart petitioned the Regent for free remission for all of their offences, which was granted on 12th March 1517 |
| XXIII | 1545 | Ewen Ruadh nan Cath | A celebrated warrior, who fought many battles against the MacLeans, aided by MacDonalds, in defence of his lands in Mull. Charged with rebellion by the Acts dated 1531 and 1545. Late in life he lived on good terms with the MacLeans. Carta Eugenii MacFigone 1542. |
| XXIV | 1557 | Lachlan Dubh or Fynnoun | Took the part of the MacLeans against the MacDonalds |
| XXV | 1590 | Lachlan Og. | |
| XXVI | 1601 | Sir Lachlan | d. 1634. 1606 Charter with Finlay MacNab of Bowaine. |
| XXVII | Ian Balbhan | The Dummy. Died in suspicious circumstances and was buried at Castle Dunara. | |
| XXVIII | Sir Lachlan Mor | d. 1700. (His 2nd son Donald emigrated to Antigua after a disagreement with his father). 1671 Bond with MacGregor. Knight Banneret at Worcester 1651. | |
| XXVIX | 1700 | John Dubh | b. 1682 d. 1756. Out in ‘15 and ‘45. |
| XXX | 1755 | Charles | d. 1796. |
| XXXI | 1796 | John | d. unmarried in 1808 (last of the direct line). |
| XXXII | 1808 | William | d. 1809 aged 77. (descendant of Donald of Antigua). He never knew he was chief. |
| XXXIII | 1809 | William Alexander | b. 1782 d. 1870, FRS, MP. |
| XXXIV | 1870 | William Alexander | b. 1812, MP. |
| XXXV | Frances Alexander | b. 1848. d. 1947 | |
| XXXVI | 1947 | Aurthur Avalon | d. 1964, Commander R.N. |
| XXXVII | 1964 | Alasdair Neil Hood | b. 1926, d. 1980 |
| XXXVIII | 1980 | Anne Gunheild | First Woman MacKinnon of MacKinnon |
