For centuries, the history of Clann Ghill’innein has at best been vague and confusing, resulting in an identity crisis of major proportions that has continued to confound MacLennans to this day. With respect to our early clan history, the Rev. John MacRae’s interpretation has been particularly damaging. The following re-evaluates his work.
John MacRae was born at Inverinate, Kintail (c.1630), the second son of Alexander. His grandfather was Farquhar, who had become very wealthy prior to succeeding his uncle as Minister of Kintail. Farquhar later became constable of Eilean Donnan castle and leader of the allied clans.
Graduating from Aberdeen University with a degree in Divinity, John was appointed minister of Kilmorack, in 1667. He was a favorite of ABCSeaforth and received a large wadsett (land lease or mortgage) around Dornie, Kintail. He later succeeded his uncle as the Minister of Dingwall in 1674.
John was a close friend and confidant of James Fraser, the minister of the neighboring parish of Wardlaw. Fraser was the author the “Wardlaw Manuscript" (1666), a history of the Frasers of Lovat and the Bysets, which was dedicated to John MacRae. He is known to have had access to documents and resources that now no longer exist. MacRae completed his clan history “The Genealogy of the MacRaes”, in 1674. He was “not regarded as a authority of any great weight” by subsequent historians, though he preserved many of the traditions of the MacRaes, which otherwise would have been lost.
The MacRaes of Clunes lived as tenants of Fraser of Lovat in the Aird, an area near Inverness. During an argument that erupted while on a hunting excursion, one of the sons of Fraser was killed by a MacRae. This MacRae changed his name to Ian Carrach in the hope of avoiding reprisals and fled to the West. Later, his brothers were implicated in this affair and compelled to leave their dutchas. One of the brothers settled in Kintail (c.1400). The first MacRae whose name is known was Finlay du MacGillichrist, c.1440. As such, John MacRae’s knowledge of the early history of his clan was superficial and heavily dependent on Frasers account of this era. Nonetheless, he had access to the histories of MacKenzie (1620), Gordon (1630), local traditions and the lore of Kintail. It is likely that the MacKenzies and MacRaes have a common gene pool.
There existed a lingering resentment and jealousy that fueled an aura of tension between the MacLennans and MacRaes. To a certain degree this arose over the constableship of Eilean Donnan castle. In 1539, this deteriorated into armed conflict after the aborted MacDonald attempt to capture the castle. Seaforth temporarily avoids dealing with this controversy by appointing the outsider Murchison, as constable. The basis for this hostility from a MacLennan perspective was the tradition that their ancestors (MacShealbhaichs) had held this position in the past.
A more serious issue concerned the involvement of the MacRaes at Blare na coi or Drumderfit (c.1340). MacRae now attempts to defuse this tension that had persisted between neighbors by disguising the true extent of his clans involvement. Fraser’s document is the earliest surviving account of this conflict. The Earl of Ross requested his nephew Hugh Fraser to oppose the MacDonald attempt to gain the Earldom. Though MacRae represents this as a Fraser/MacRae alliance, actually the MacRaes would have had no choice other than to comply with their feudal obligation. Their adversary, the allied clans (Kintail), would have been collectively known as “MacDonalds”.
As a native of Kintail, MacRae had personal knowledge of the recent acceptance of the surname MacLennan by his neighbors. He promoted the concept that there was no such race as MacLinnan in the 14th Century, though he failed to mention that some of the newly called MacLennans were known then as Clann t-Shealbhaich .This is confused further by wrongly identifying them as “Clan Tarlich”. The clan histories of the 17th Century further confused this issue by various spellings of Clann t-Shealbhaich, as well as misinterpreting the Gaelic MacShealbhaich for MacAmhlaiobh. Many reputable historians have relied on this misinformation that unfortunately has continued to perpetrate these errors. When considered in the context of the times, correct dates and spelling, there is no question that MacShealbhaich refers to some MacLennans, as Matheson has convincingly demonstrated.
Gilligorm was a traditional hero of the MacLennans that was still pervasive in the local lore as MacRae was growing up. He certainly was aware of the origins of the Ghill’fhinnein patronym and the traditional association with the Lobbans of this era. As a result, his account differs from that of Fraser by alleging that the perpetrators were Lobbans. However, he conveniently neglects to clarify their motives and associations. In so doing, the MacLennans were now no longer victims, as there was no such race as MacLennans then and the MacRaes were thus freed from this association.
Confusing Dhonnachaidh MacShealbhaich for MacAmhlaiobh, MacRaes problem was then, what race did Gilligorm, the leader of the MacDonald forces, belong to? Gilligorm conveniently would have to be the leader of the Lobbans, which could sort of fit in with the MacLennan origin. This creates significant evidential difficulties and questions for MacRae, such as: What alliance or feudal tenure did MacDonald have with the Lobbans? If as MacDonald forces they pillaged Tain and Chanonry, were they bivouacking in Drumderfit because it was a familiar area to them or rather that it provided a defensible position while threatening Inverness? If this was Gilligorms’ dutchas, then where was his kinsman or local support? Why would he expose his family to potential punitive repercussions? Local farmers are said to have provided essential knowledge of the topography that was used to sway the tide of battle in favor of the Frasers. If these farmers were Lobbans they certainly would not have done so if Gilligorm was their Chief? Since Drumderfit was in close proximity to the Aird and the dutchas of the Frasers, if the Lobbans had existed prior to the conflict wouldn’t they have been well known enough to them, not to confuse them with the MacLinnans?
To justify his premise, MacRae refers to an obscure heiress, Colan Logan or Lobban of Drumnamarg, who married Eachern Biorach, one of the illegitimate sons of Murdhach dubh nam Uamg. The problem was ABCan error in his timeline. This marriage could not have occurred prior to the return to Ross of Murchadh c.1360, 20 years after Drumderfit. Eachern was never able to occupy these lands as a result of the enmity of the Earl of Ross to the MacKenzies. As a result, he had no other choice other than to flee to the wilds of Edderachilis
There is a local saying referring to anything in the past as “old as the Lobbans of Drumderfit”. However, there is no time reference to what is meant by old, though Andrew and Robert Lovane are noted to be tenants of Armanoch in 1504. William Lobban is the first to be confirmed as holding the lands of Drumderfit in 1560. This re-enforces the fact that there were no Lobbans at the time of Drumderfit.
The traditional origin of the Lobbans as a descendent of a MacLennan who hid under a peat cart after Drumderfit, is first seen in print in "Lochiel, or the Field of Culloden", by David Carey, 1820. Rather than being the descendent of Lobban Chiefs, Colan likely was the daughter of a MacShealbhaich ancestor who survived the battle by hiding with local farmers. The Lovanes may well have been descendents of her brothers?
The only surviving manuscript of John MacRae’s original work is a copy made by Farquhar MacRae (c. 1720). He is also the originator of the tale of a statue (effigy) of Gilligorm being in possession of a Lobban family in Drumderfit that was destroyed by protestant forces in 1715. This has been used to suggest or support the pretense that Gilligorm was a Lobban. However, this could just as easily imply that they were descendents of a MacShealbhaich survivor of the conflict who was nicknamed “Lobban” and idolized Gilligorm as a great warrior and ancestor that he was.
It would seem that the traditional origin and association of MacLennan and Lobban in context is correct. A common or core gene pool maybe their only connection in this regards. However, it is apparent that other than the controversy over their origins at Drumderfit, the Lobbans are not mentioned in the accounts of the later MacDonald raids into Ross at Bellach nam Broig (1369) and Ardnagrask (1370), traditionally associated with the MacLennans. This may suggest that at this time, a new dutchas and gilfine Chieftain was evolving, independently of their ancestor’s feudal relationship to the MacDonalds. This may support claims of a Lobban Chief.
The MacLennans and Macraes were not only distinct initially in race and linguistic nuances of Gaelic, but also separated geographically by a stream. (Finlay R: Touring Scotland Wester Ross. Henley-on-Thames. Foulis & Co. 1971. 43, 77) Though they were frequently affected by clan rivalries, they would always support the other against any intrusion by an outsider. This commitment to each other has matured with time and intermarriage. Now one finds MacLennans, Frasers, MacRaes and MacKenzies all together at various Ceilidhs held by their clans.
John MacRae was born at Inverinate, Kintail (c.1630), the second son of Alexander. His grandfather was Farquhar, who had become very wealthy prior to succeeding his uncle as Minister of Kintail. Farquhar later became constable of Eilean Donnan castle and leader of the allied clans.
Graduating from Aberdeen University with a degree in Divinity, John was appointed minister of Kilmorack, in 1667. He was a favorite of ABCSeaforth and received a large wadsett (land lease or mortgage) around Dornie, Kintail. He later succeeded his uncle as the Minister of Dingwall in 1674.
John was a close friend and confidant of James Fraser, the minister of the neighboring parish of Wardlaw. Fraser was the author the “Wardlaw Manuscript" (1666), a history of the Frasers of Lovat and the Bysets, which was dedicated to John MacRae. He is known to have had access to documents and resources that now no longer exist. MacRae completed his clan history “The Genealogy of the MacRaes”, in 1674. He was “not regarded as a authority of any great weight” by subsequent historians, though he preserved many of the traditions of the MacRaes, which otherwise would have been lost.
The MacRaes of Clunes lived as tenants of Fraser of Lovat in the Aird, an area near Inverness. During an argument that erupted while on a hunting excursion, one of the sons of Fraser was killed by a MacRae. This MacRae changed his name to Ian Carrach in the hope of avoiding reprisals and fled to the West. Later, his brothers were implicated in this affair and compelled to leave their dutchas. One of the brothers settled in Kintail (c.1400). The first MacRae whose name is known was Finlay du MacGillichrist, c.1440. As such, John MacRae’s knowledge of the early history of his clan was superficial and heavily dependent on Frasers account of this era. Nonetheless, he had access to the histories of MacKenzie (1620), Gordon (1630), local traditions and the lore of Kintail. It is likely that the MacKenzies and MacRaes have a common gene pool.
There existed a lingering resentment and jealousy that fueled an aura of tension between the MacLennans and MacRaes. To a certain degree this arose over the constableship of Eilean Donnan castle. In 1539, this deteriorated into armed conflict after the aborted MacDonald attempt to capture the castle. Seaforth temporarily avoids dealing with this controversy by appointing the outsider Murchison, as constable. The basis for this hostility from a MacLennan perspective was the tradition that their ancestors (MacShealbhaichs) had held this position in the past.
A more serious issue concerned the involvement of the MacRaes at Blare na coi or Drumderfit (c.1340). MacRae now attempts to defuse this tension that had persisted between neighbors by disguising the true extent of his clans involvement. Fraser’s document is the earliest surviving account of this conflict. The Earl of Ross requested his nephew Hugh Fraser to oppose the MacDonald attempt to gain the Earldom. Though MacRae represents this as a Fraser/MacRae alliance, actually the MacRaes would have had no choice other than to comply with their feudal obligation. Their adversary, the allied clans (Kintail), would have been collectively known as “MacDonalds”.
As a native of Kintail, MacRae had personal knowledge of the recent acceptance of the surname MacLennan by his neighbors. He promoted the concept that there was no such race as MacLinnan in the 14th Century, though he failed to mention that some of the newly called MacLennans were known then as Clann t-Shealbhaich .This is confused further by wrongly identifying them as “Clan Tarlich”. The clan histories of the 17th Century further confused this issue by various spellings of Clann t-Shealbhaich, as well as misinterpreting the Gaelic MacShealbhaich for MacAmhlaiobh. Many reputable historians have relied on this misinformation that unfortunately has continued to perpetrate these errors. When considered in the context of the times, correct dates and spelling, there is no question that MacShealbhaich refers to some MacLennans, as Matheson has convincingly demonstrated.
Gilligorm was a traditional hero of the MacLennans that was still pervasive in the local lore as MacRae was growing up. He certainly was aware of the origins of the Ghill’fhinnein patronym and the traditional association with the Lobbans of this era. As a result, his account differs from that of Fraser by alleging that the perpetrators were Lobbans. However, he conveniently neglects to clarify their motives and associations. In so doing, the MacLennans were now no longer victims, as there was no such race as MacLennans then and the MacRaes were thus freed from this association.
Confusing Dhonnachaidh MacShealbhaich for MacAmhlaiobh, MacRaes problem was then, what race did Gilligorm, the leader of the MacDonald forces, belong to? Gilligorm conveniently would have to be the leader of the Lobbans, which could sort of fit in with the MacLennan origin. This creates significant evidential difficulties and questions for MacRae, such as: What alliance or feudal tenure did MacDonald have with the Lobbans? If as MacDonald forces they pillaged Tain and Chanonry, were they bivouacking in Drumderfit because it was a familiar area to them or rather that it provided a defensible position while threatening Inverness? If this was Gilligorms’ dutchas, then where was his kinsman or local support? Why would he expose his family to potential punitive repercussions? Local farmers are said to have provided essential knowledge of the topography that was used to sway the tide of battle in favor of the Frasers. If these farmers were Lobbans they certainly would not have done so if Gilligorm was their Chief? Since Drumderfit was in close proximity to the Aird and the dutchas of the Frasers, if the Lobbans had existed prior to the conflict wouldn’t they have been well known enough to them, not to confuse them with the MacLinnans?
To justify his premise, MacRae refers to an obscure heiress, Colan Logan or Lobban of Drumnamarg, who married Eachern Biorach, one of the illegitimate sons of Murdhach dubh nam Uamg. The problem was ABCan error in his timeline. This marriage could not have occurred prior to the return to Ross of Murchadh c.1360, 20 years after Drumderfit. Eachern was never able to occupy these lands as a result of the enmity of the Earl of Ross to the MacKenzies. As a result, he had no other choice other than to flee to the wilds of Edderachilis
There is a local saying referring to anything in the past as “old as the Lobbans of Drumderfit”. However, there is no time reference to what is meant by old, though Andrew and Robert Lovane are noted to be tenants of Armanoch in 1504. William Lobban is the first to be confirmed as holding the lands of Drumderfit in 1560. This re-enforces the fact that there were no Lobbans at the time of Drumderfit.
The traditional origin of the Lobbans as a descendent of a MacLennan who hid under a peat cart after Drumderfit, is first seen in print in "Lochiel, or the Field of Culloden", by David Carey, 1820. Rather than being the descendent of Lobban Chiefs, Colan likely was the daughter of a MacShealbhaich ancestor who survived the battle by hiding with local farmers. The Lovanes may well have been descendents of her brothers?
The only surviving manuscript of John MacRae’s original work is a copy made by Farquhar MacRae (c. 1720). He is also the originator of the tale of a statue (effigy) of Gilligorm being in possession of a Lobban family in Drumderfit that was destroyed by protestant forces in 1715. This has been used to suggest or support the pretense that Gilligorm was a Lobban. However, this could just as easily imply that they were descendents of a MacShealbhaich survivor of the conflict who was nicknamed “Lobban” and idolized Gilligorm as a great warrior and ancestor that he was.
It would seem that the traditional origin and association of MacLennan and Lobban in context is correct. A common or core gene pool maybe their only connection in this regards. However, it is apparent that other than the controversy over their origins at Drumderfit, the Lobbans are not mentioned in the accounts of the later MacDonald raids into Ross at Bellach nam Broig (1369) and Ardnagrask (1370), traditionally associated with the MacLennans. This may suggest that at this time, a new dutchas and gilfine Chieftain was evolving, independently of their ancestor’s feudal relationship to the MacDonalds. This may support claims of a Lobban Chief.
The MacLennans and Macraes were not only distinct initially in race and linguistic nuances of Gaelic, but also separated geographically by a stream. (Finlay R: Touring Scotland Wester Ross. Henley-on-Thames. Foulis & Co. 1971. 43, 77) Though they were frequently affected by clan rivalries, they would always support the other against any intrusion by an outsider. This commitment to each other has matured with time and intermarriage. Now one finds MacLennans, Frasers, MacRaes and MacKenzies all together at various Ceilidhs held by their clans.
