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Clan MacDougall (Tartans, Crest) and The Story Behind

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MacDougall

Gaelic Name: MacDhùghaill

Clan Crest: (On a chapeau Gules furred Ermine) a dexter arm in armour embowed fessways couped Proper, holding a cross crosslet fitchée erect Gules

Clan Motto: Buaidh No Bàs (Victory or death)

Origin of Name: Gaelic, Dughall (Black Stranger)

Clan Badge: Bell heath

Lands: Lorn

Clan Chief: Morag MacDougall of MacDougall

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MacDougall Clan History

When describing the Viking invaders, a Gaelic generalisation was used: Finn Ghall for a fair stranger and Dubh Ghall for a dark stranger. The eldest son of King Somerled was given the descriptive name Dubh Ghall.

Olaf, King of Man, was Somerled's father-in-law, and when Somerled died in 1164, Dougall became senior King of Dalriada. Duncan MacDougall of Argyll was mentioned in 1244 records, indicating that the name had become a clan by this time.

Chiefs descended from Dougall built the two great castles on Loch Linnhe's shores in Lorne, Dunstaffnage, and Dunollie. They also built Duntrune on the mainland. They built Aros, Coeffin, Dunchonnel, and Cairnburgh on the islands.

They also constructed Ardchattan Priory, which served as the MacDougall chiefs' burial ground until 1737. Most of these structures were approved by Ewan.

Ewan had chosen to keep his island possessions hidden from his King in Norway, and his mainland properties hidden from the King of Scots. When King Haakon of Norway arrived with a massive fleet off the coast of Oban in 1263 to launch an invasion, Ewan refused to assist but surrendered his islands to him.

Then, knowing that remaining neutral would put him in a bad position regardless of how the battle ended, he chose to attack some of the Norse fleet. Following his defeat in the sea battle of Largs, Haakon's fleet was in disarray, and he died in Orkney while attempting to return home. Norway returned all of the Hebrides to Scotland three years later.

Alistair MacDougall married the sister of Scotland's most powerful man, John Comyn. After the Balliols, John's son, the Red Comyn, was the next in line to become King of Scotland.

But it was at this point that Bruce made his bid for the throne. Bruce killed the Red Comyn at the altar rails in Dumfries, and the MacDougalls joined the feud, which resulted in the Comyns' utter destruction and the loss of the MacDougalls' islands to Bruce.

MacDougall Places & People

The Gylan Castle

Clan MacDougall constructed the fort in 1582.[2] Gylen was only occupied for a short period of time.

People of Clan MacDougall

Lorne's John MacDougall

John, the son of Argyll's Alexander MacDougall, led the army that fought Robert I and his men at Dalry on August 11, 1306. The Brooch of Lorne was torn from Robert's plaid during the fight, which Alexander claimed. In 1308 John was the keeper of Innischonnel Castle for Edward II.

In 1309, Robert defeated John at the Pass of Brander, where the MacDougalls were defeated in their attempt to keep the pass for the English. There are stone piles south of the river that are said to mark graves.

Lord Lorne Duncan MacDougall

Duncan, Dugall's grandson, collaborated with his brother Ewen to construct Dunstaffnage Castle. The MacDougalls were on the wrong side of Robert the Bruce in 1309, and he took Dunstaffnage.

In 1230, Duncan had Ardchattan Priory and Church built. It was built of local granite for the Valliscaulian order and stands on the north shore of Loch Etive.

MacDougall Tartans

MacDougall the Elder

MacDougall Contemporary

MacDougall Crest & Coats of Arms

Clan MacDougall Crest:

(On a chapeau Gules furred Ermine) a dexter arm in armour embowed fessways couped Proper, holding an erect cross crosslet fitchée Gules.

Coats of Arms of MacDougall:

A word about Coats of Arms:

A coat of arms is granted to an individual under Scottish heraldic law (with the exception of civic or corporate arms). A 'family coat of arms' does not exist. With the exceptions noted above, the arms depicted below are personal arms. Only the person who has been granted these weapons has the right to use them.