MacDonnell of Keppoch / MacDonald of Keppoch

Gaelic Name: MacDhomhnuill

Clan Crest: A golden eagle spread, wearing a crown

Clan Motto: Air Muir ‘S Air Tir (By land and by sea)

Origin of Name: Gaelic, Domhnull (World ruler)

Clan Badge: Heath

Lands: Keppoch, Lochaber

Clan Chief: Ranald Macdonald of Keppoch

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MacDonnell of Keppoch Clan History

NOTE: WE HAVE BEEN INFORMED THAT THIS CLAN HISTORY MAY BE OUT OF DATE; WE ARE WAITING FOR A REVISED CLAN HISTORY.

A branch from very early in the MacDonald line became the Clanranalds, and a branch from them settled near Inverness on the mainland, built Invergarry Castle, and chose to spell their name MacDonnell, which is closer to the Gaelic original MacDhomhnuill.

Clan MacDonnell of Keppoch as depicted in the nineteenth century The name MacDonnell is found in two distinct families: MacDonnell of Keppoch and MacDonnell of Glengarry.

Ranald, the 1st Lord of the Isles' younger son, had five sons. Alan, one of the sons, would be the Clanranald's progenitor. Another son, Donald, would have a son, Alexander, who could be considered Glengarry's first chief.

Glengarry is located in Lochaber, which was once part of the ancient Pict Kingdom of Moray. Uncle Godfrey had denied Donald, Alan, and the other brothers their lands.

The lands passed to the Crown when Godfrey's son Alexander was executed in 1427. The MacDonnells were made Crown tenants on what should have been their own land.

In 1491, James V received the submission of the majority of Clan Chiefs regarding the new feudal relationships and recognition of Royal superiority. Alexander of Glengarry, on the other hand, resisted submission for another forty years with his rebellious attitude. On March 6, 1539, he was granted a Crown charter to Glengarry, Morar, half of Lochalsh, Lochcarron, Lochbroom, and Strome Castle.

Despite this, he joined a rebellious attempt to assist Donald Gorm of Sleat in reclaiming the Lordship of the Isles.

Donald was killed in battle, and Alexander, who had been duped into accompanying James V, was imprisoned in Edinburgh until 1542. He passed away in 1560.

The MacDonnells are descended from Alistair Carrach on the Keppoch side. Alistair had a large portion of his lands removed and transferred to MacKintosh, chief of Clan Chattan, for his involvement in Donald Balloch's 1431 insurgency.

This sparked a lengthy feud between the two clans. Alexander, the 12th chief of Keppoch, and his brother were both killed in 1663 in what is known as Tobair-nan-ceann, the Well of Heads, near Invergarry. The heads of seven murderers were washed here before being presented to Lord MacDonnell of Invergarry.

The 15th chief's son was among those who attacked government soldiers preparing a surprise attack on the Glenfinnan gathering. This was the first strike against the government during the 1745 uprising. He was later defeated at Culloden.

MacDonnell of Keppoch Places & People

People of Clan MacDonnell of Keppoch

Alasdair Ruadh (c.1725–61).

When the Jacobites rose in 1745, Alasdair Ruath, the 13th Chief of Keppoch, abandoned France and the Royal French Scots to lead his clan out for Bonnie Prince Charlie. However, a British man of war prevented his seaward return, and he was imprisoned in the Tower of London until the Rising was over.

When he was eventually released, he assisted in the planning of another rising, frequently transporting information between Scotland and France. European operations were carried out under the codename 'Pickle'.

Sileas MacDonnell of Keppoch (circa 1660–1729).

Sileas MacDonnell's work includes twenty-three poems, several hymns, and a song, and she commented on politics, religion, and the morals of the populace.

After the 1715 Battle of Sheriffmuir devolved from a potential Jacobite victory into indecision and then defeat, followed by more indecisive strategy in the weeks that followed, MacDonnell expressed her dissatisfaction with the Jacobite leaders responsible.

In addition to her criticisms, MacDonnell wrote heartfelt laments for the deaths of some of those she admired.

MacDonnell of Keppoch Tartans

MacDonell of Keppoch Modern

MacDonnell of Keppoch Crest & Coats of Arms

Clan MacDonnell of Keppoch Crest:

A golden eagle spread and wearing a crown is depicted on the crest.

Coats of Arms for MacDonnell of Keppoch:

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.