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Clan Chief: Andrew Francis Stewart of Lorn,
Appin and Ardsheal, 17th of Appin & 12th of Ardsheal
Main Branches: Ardsheal, Achnacone, Fasnacloich, Invernahyle
Clan Badge: A unicorn's head, crined and armed, or.
Plant Badge: Darag (Oak)
Motto: Quhidder Well Zie (Whiter will ye)
War Cry: Creag an Sgairbh ("The Cormant's Rock")
Designation of the Chief: MacIain Stiubhairt na h-Appunn
Tartans: Stewart of Appin Red, Stewart of Appin Dress, Stewart of Appin
Hunting, Stewart of Ardsheal, Stewart of Achnacone, Stewart Old (although not of Appin it
is worn by the Chief)
Primary Septs: MacColl, MacLeay, MacClay, Livingstone,
MacGillemichael, McIlmichael, Carmichael, MacCombich, Combich, MacInnes, MacRobb, MacMichael
The Appin Stewarts, the West Highland branch of the royal surname Stewart,
descend from Sir James Stewart of Perston, 4th son of Sir John Stewart of Bonkyl, second
son of Alexander, the 4th High Steward of Scotland. Sir James was the grandfather of John
Stewart of Innermeath, who, through marriage to Isabell NicDougall (MacDougall) of Lorn,
became the first Stewart Lord of Lorn. The Lordship of Lorn passed down for 2 more
generations to Sir John Stewart, the third Stewart Lord of Lorn.
Tradition tell us that in 1445, while returning to his seat at Dunstaffnage castle from
the great cattle tryst at Crieff, Sir John met and fell in love with the daughter of
MacLaren of Ardvech. Although married, he began an affaire with his new love which one
year later produced a son. He was christened Dugald and was to be the first Chief of the
Stewarts of Appin.
After the death of his first wife, Sir John waited, for reasons we are unaware of today,
for 5 years until setting up the marriage between himself and Dugald's mother, but
it may have had something to do with the politics of the day. In 1463, Sir John set a
wedding date and sent for Dugald and his mother to come to Dunstaffnage. Unknown to Sir
John, there was a plot to kill the Lord of Lorn. It is not fully known, but it is thought
to have been set up by the Lord of the Isles who was in a power struggle with the King of
Scots, and who saw it as being in his best interest to neutralize this powerful and loyal
representative of the King in the west highlands. The other plotters, which some feel
included Colin Campbell, Lord Argyll, Sir John's son-in-law, were primarily represented by
Alan MacCoul, the
illegitimate grandson of an earlier MacDougall Chief. As the lightly armed wedding party
made it's way from Dunstaffnage to the small chapel located approximately 180 yards from
the castle walls, they were attacked by a superior force lead by Alan MacCoul. Although
better armed, MacCoul's force was defeated, but not before mortally wounding Lord of Lorn.
Sir John was rushed into the chapel and MacCoul and his henchmen ran into and occupied the
deserted Dunstaffnage. With his last breath Sir John married Dugald's mother, legitimizing
him and making him the de jure Lord of Lorn. After receiving the last rites, Sir John
expired and a new chapter in west highland history was opened.
Castle Stalker
Photograph by Scottish Panoramic
Dugald gathered all the adherents of the Lord of
Lorn and with the assistance of the MacLarens laid siege to Dunstaffnage, but to no avail.
Unbeknownst to Dugald, Colin Campbell, Lord Argyll who seemed to have been involved in the
plot, raised a group of MacFarlanes to aid MacCoul in his struggle against the de jure
Lord of Lorn. MacCoul's men with the MacFarlanes met the men of Lorn and MacLaren in what
was to be known as the battle of Leac a dotha. It was a fierce battle with both sides
leaving the field with very heavy losses.
For the next few years Dugald, who had lost the tile of Lord of Lorn through the treachery
of his uncle Walter Stewart and Lord Argyll, but had retained Appin and Lismore,
consolidated his power and fortified the hunting lodge of castle Stalker on the Cormant's
Rock in Loch Laich. He also ensured that the Campbells were in no doubt about his
displeasure over the loss of the Lordship of Lorn by having the Campbell territory
surrounding Appin regularly raided by our clan. Finally in 1468 in a bid to finally
destroy the power of Appin, Colin Campbell and Walter Stewart, now recognized as the Lord
of Lorn (but with no authority in Lorn) organized a massive raid against Dugald and our
clan. Alan MacCoul was again involved and they met at what was to be know as the battle of
Stalc. Though loosing many men, Dugald virtually destroyed the military strength of the
MacFarlands (a destruction
they were never to recover from) and personally killed Alan MacCoul, his father's
murderer. The battle solidified Dugald's claim to Appin and the surrounding area which was
formally granted to him by King James III on the 14th of April 1470. Our clan was born.
The major branches or "tacks" of Appin stem from the sons of Alan Stewart, 3rd
of Appin. Originally they comprised John, 1st of Strathgarry, Dugald, 1st of Achnacone,
James, 1st of Fasnacloich and Alexander, 1st of Invernahyle. Ardsheal, the branch our
Chief hails from, was given to John, 1st of Ardsheal by his father, John Stewart, 5th of
Appin.
The Adherents or "septs" of Appin stem from families that lived in Lorn prior to
the Stewarts gaining the Lordship. These were/are the MacColls, who descended from Black
Solomon, son of Coll, son of the Lord of the Isles, The MacLeays or Livingstones
(anglicized from MacLeay), who were reported to be on Lismore in 1130, but who's heritage
is so old that know one really knows their beginnings, The MacGillemichaels, or their
anglicized form "Carmichael", are also so old that we can only guess. It is know
that they were present in Appin prior to the 13th century. The Combichs decended from a
family nickname from north Appin and the MacRobbs were/are actually Stewarts, descending
from Robert, son of Dugald, 1st of Appin. The MacInnes, originally from the area of
Morvern, settled in the area in the early 15th century.
The clan fought in many major engagements including the Civil Wars of the 17th century and
all the Jacobite Risings, ending, of course, with the battle of Culloden, where 92 of our
clan were killed and 65 wounded out of a fighting force of approximately 300.
Today we are dispersed all round the globe, but nobely represented by our Chief, Andrew
Francis Stewart of Lorn, Appin and Ardsheal. The clan comes together though a number of
activities, including The Appin Stewarts, The Stewart Society, The Friends of Appin
(Australia) and the Appin Historical Society. With the passing of Achnacone several years
ago, the mantle of keeper of our clan's history was passed the Lady Sibyl Stewart of
Appin, wife of our former Chief and mother of Andrew. She still resides on traditional
Stewart land in Appin.
The Stewarts of Appin are represented by
organizations the world round. These fall into two basic categories, historical and
ethnic. Each ethnic organization is supported by our Chief's family, and in being so, can
be considered "official".
For further information regarding our clan please contact..
The Stewart Society
The Honorary Secretary
53 George Street, Edinburgh. EH2 2HT
Tel & FAX: (Intl 0044) 0131-557-6824
email: info@stewartsociety.org
Friends of Appin Society (Australia)
Ms. Heather MacCole Butler
email:
ghbutler@tassie.net.au
For further information regarding Appin and the surrounding area please contact...
The Appin Historical Society
Marilyn Kristiansen
Ardveich Cottage
Appin PA38 4BA
Tel: 01631 730253
email: moorland@netcomuk.co.uk
If further information is required regarding our clan and Appin contacts please contact...
Eņin `Og MacIain Stewart
email: eoinog@aol.com
For more information regarding The Appin Stewarts, please contact:
Eņin `Og MacIain Stewart
email: appinsoc@aol.com
Here is a recent copy of a letter about the Appin Stewart Society
(8th Sep '99):-
My fellow clansmen and clanswomen,
As you are all aware, a few months ago I stepped down as the Vice President to the Stewart
of Appin Society, International. This was for a variety of reasons, not the smallest being
that I saw the focus of the Society heading down a road not authorized by our Chief's
family and in many ways contrary to the originally stated goals and objectives discussed
with our Chief and his mother, lady Stewart of Appin. Since that time I have received
correspondence from the Chief's family which, in so many words, told me to
reestablish myself as the directing force behind "our Appin Society", as lady
Stewart put it, and to place it back on track. I was also instructed to simplify the scope
and focus of the organization to ensure that is stays on track with what the Chief's
family wishes. Although my natural instincts would tell me to stay out of the picture and
to avoid any potential conflict, I, as a clansman of our Chief, am honor bound to abide by
his and his mother's wishes, as should we all be.
This will not be a popular move with a small number of members, some of
which are currently termed "commissioners". This is noted and has already been
communicated to the Chief's family, but in the latest letter from Lady
Stewart, a very strong one at that, I have once more been directed to take
back the reigns of the Society and to simplify it. The Chiefs family would
like it to be no more contact group for the many dispersed Appin clansmen
and clanswomen around the world so that we may all stay in closer contact
with one another and so that we can all share in our clan's heritage and
traditions.
With this email, how has the Society changed? Here is how...
1. I will be, and as of this email am, the only primary point of contact for
our clan within the bounds of this Society as sanctioned by our Chief
2. There will be, and as of now, they are no, regional commissioners or any
other offices, other than our Chief and the cadet Branches of Appin,
associated with the Society
3. There will be no representation at festivals or events, as our primary
source for membership will be word of mouth, advertisements and the Internet (with a
Website to come)
4. There will be no funds collected from any clansman or clanswomen in the
name of the Society or our Chief
5. There will be no incorporation of the Society, as it is, and will
continue to be, a contact group of Appin clansmen and clanswomen, and a
society in name only; primarily as a point of organizational reference
I realize fully that this will not set well with some individual clansmen
and that is OK. This direction comes from the Chief's family and as I see
it, and as I'm sure any loyal clansman or clanswoman would see it, that
overrules personalities and personal wishes.
I am requesting for the Society and our Chief, the names of ALL clansmen and clanswomen
who have signed up since my departure. If that is not forthcoming I need to know so that I
can communicate this to our Chief's family. I am also requesting the cooperation of the
clansmen and clanswomen who currently make up the Society. I know that this will not be
the case with everyone, but feel that all honorable and loyal clansmen and clanswomen will
place any differences with me and this decision by the Chief's family, aside and follow
the wishes of our Chief and his mother, as I have done.
I have already began the process of contacting the various associations and
persons outside the Society who may be interested in this news in order to
let them know what direction I have been told to take. If anyone is interested in specific
text from Lady Stewart's final letter on the subject, as it pertains to the Society,
please let me know and I will forward it to you.
Mņran taing in advance for your support for our Chief, the Society and
myself as we cross these waters, and please contact me with any questions
you might have.
Mar sin leat an-drąsda.
`S mise,
Eņin `Og MacIain Stewart
Other Appin Clan Societies are listed below:
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