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Antiquarian Notes, Historical, Genealogical and Social
(Second Series) Inverness-Shire, Parish by Parish
Addenda et Corrigenda


PAGE 163.

Mr Alexander Macdonald of Upper South River, Antigonish, Nova Scotia, has sent me the following interesting account of the respectable family of Bohuntin. My correspondent say, that the story that Angus Mor, third of Bohuntin, had only one son, both deaf and dumb, is incorrect—

THE MACDONALDS OF BOHUNTIN.

1. JOHN MACDONALD of Bohuntin, the son of Ranald Macdonald, VI. of Keppoch, was a renowned warrior. He is said to have been conspicuous by his stature, strength, and personal beauty, and in skill in the use of arms and in daring courage to have had few equals and no superior. At the feud of Boline, when Alastair the eldest son of Raonull Mor was wounded, Ian Dubh had to take his place.

JOHN MACDONALD, first of Bohuntin, married a daughter of Donald Glas Mackintosh, with issue-

1. Alexander, his heir, progenitor of the elder branch of Bohuntin.
2. Donald; 3. John; 4. Ranald. Those three brothers, Donald, John, and Ranald, were treacherously put to death by the unprincipled Alastair nan Cleas of Keppoch.
5. Angus, progenitor of the younger branch of Bohuntin; that is, the Macdonalds of Tulloch, Aberardair, Crenachan, Dailchoisnie, and others.

II. ALEXANDER MACDONALD, second of Bohuntin, who married a daughter of Macdonald of Glencoe, by whom he had one son,

III. ANGUS MACDONALD, known as "Aonghas mor Bhothuntainn," who married a daughter of Cameron of Strone, with issue—
1. John, his heir.
2. Angus, known in the Braes as "Aonghus Mor a Bhocain," and of whom hereafter.
3. Alexander, known as "Alastair na Rianaich."

Aonghus Mor, third of Bohuntin, was succeeded by his eldest son,

IV. JOHN MACDONALD, who married a daughter of Cameron of Glerimallie, with issue-
1. Alexander, his heir.
2. Donald, known as "Domhnull Donn Mac Fhir Bothuntajnn."
3. Donald" Gruamach."
They were men of good poetic talents.

John, fourth of Bohuntin, was succeeded by his eldest son,

V. ALEXANDER MACDONALD, who by his wife, had issuer. Angus; 2. Alexander; 3. Ranald; 4. "Ian Og," who succeeded his father; 5. Donald Glas.

Angus, Alexander, and Ranald died of pleurisy within a few weeks of one another, about 1720.

Alexander Macdonald, fifth of Bohuntin, was the author of several poems, but they have nearly all perished.

VI. JOHN OG MACDONALD, sixth of Bohuntin, and Donald Glas, his brother, were transported to South Carolina for taking part in the Rising of 1745. They were both married, and their descendant are still in the United States.

Angus Mor "a Bhocain," second son of "Aonghas Mor Bhothuntainn," married a daughter of Macgregor of Glencearnaig, with issue—

Alastair Mor, who for killing a number of the King's troops at the battle of Muiroy was transported to Holland, where he died of yellow fever in 1688. He married a daughter of "Fear Mhurlagan," with issue-

1. Angus, who married Nighean Mhic Aonghais Oig, the poetess.
2. Alastair Ban, who married "Nighean Ghilleasbuig Mhic Dhoinh- nuill Ghiiirm Chliathanaig," with issue—1. Angus, who married Catherine Mackintosh, with issue. 2. Alexander, who married Mary Campbell, with issue—three sons and five daughters. He emigrated to America with his family, in 1816. When his wife, who outlived him thirty years, died in 1860, she left descendants to the number of two hundred and fifty.

PARISH OF SLEAT.

PAGE 272.

The following curious incident, communicated by Sir W. A. Mackinnon, K.C.B., connected with the visit of Marshal Macdonald, Duke of Tarentum, to the Isles, is a reminiscence little known. Sir William says—

"When Marshal Macdonald visited the Highlands after the French War, he paid a visit to the Lord Macdonald of that day at Armadale Castle, Skye. My father, the Rev. John Mackinnon, was then minister of Sleat, and was staying with Lord Macdonald at Armadale. Lord Macdonald was much exercised in his mind as to how he could give the Marshal the salute he was entitled to, as there was only one old carronade available, and no one knew how to load and fire it properly. At the time there were extensive building and quarrying operations going on in the vicinity of the Castle, and the idea suggested itself to my father that the blasting of the rocks might be utilised for the purpose of saluting the distinguished Field Marshal with the number of guns his rank required. Accordingly the number of blasts equivalent to the number of guns for a Field Marshal's salute had been prepared and let off at intervals, with excellent effect, so much so that Marshal Macdonald, until informed next day, thought his salute was fired by artillery, and he was greatly amused when the method of saluting was explained to him. It will be remembered that the Marshal's father, Neil Mac Eachen from South Uist, went to France as an exile with Prince Charles."

PARISH OF PORTREE.

PAGE 285.

In a pamphlet of eleven pages, printed at Edinburgh in 1782, entitled "A letter concerning the state of arms in Scotland, addressed to the Earl of Haddinton (sic) occasioned by the remarks of a county gentleman on the proposed laws for establishing a militia in Scotland," lent to me by Sir W. Mackinnon, there is the following reference to an intended French landing at Portree in harvest, 1780:—

"In the year 1780, on the day of August, which is the day of the fair for black cattle in the Isle of Sky, there was at Port Rey a great show of cattle, and no small concourse of people. About the height of the market, a large vessel appeared standing in the bay. She hoisted out two boats, and having manned them with as many musketeers as they could hold, the seamen began to row towards the shore. The Highlanders seeing this immediately got together. There were about six or seven hundred men, old and young, but there was not one firelock or sword among them all however, they instantly pulled down a hut or two, and shouldering the poles made of the beams and rafters, marched down like a battalion to the shore. The Frenchmen, seeing this resolute body, never imagined that they had no arms but staves and stones, and not liking their countenance, rowed back again to their ship; and Captain Fall (for it was he) steered another course with his vessel."

PARISH OF SOUTH UIST.

PAGE 310.

The following corrections of the text are necessary :-

Line 35, for "Miss" read "Mrs." Allan Macdonald of Belfinlay had four sons and one daughter. The eldest, James, died in America without issue; Ranald, second son, also died without issue, in Prince Edward Island. The third son, Allan, entered the army in 1799, having received a commission in the 55th Foot, which regiment shortly afterwards embarked for the West Indies. In 1808 he was' sent with the flank company on an expedition to St. Domingo, and on the termination of hostilities there, was placed in command of the 2nd West India Regiment. In 1813, having rejoined the 55th, ordered to the Netherlands, Allan Macdonald, then Captain of Grenadiers, was second in command at the storming of Bergen-Op-Zoom,. where he was severely wounded. He served with the 55th. until he became Major, when he retired.

Major Macdonald sold his estate in Arisaig and purchased Waternish, which became the permanent residence of the Belfinlay family.

PARISH OF BARRA.

PAGE 332.

I am informed by my friend and intelligent correspondent, Mr Michael Buchanan at Borve, that the late General Macneill purchased the superiority of Barra.

PARISH OF ALVIE.

PAGE 399, LINE 15. For 1809 read 1801-1806.

SAME PAGE.

The following is a list of some of the evictions carried out by James Macpherson, the younger, in 1801, 1802, and 1806:-

1801.

1. John Macpherson, Tillysoul of Raitts.
2. Evan Macdonald, Easter Raitts.
3. Duncan Robertson, Midtown of do.
4. John Macpherson, Achacha.
5. Donald Davidson, Acharunach.
6. Jas. Mackintosh, Croftroy.
7. John Mackay, Croftduach of Benchar.
8. Alexander Gordon, Newtown.

1802.

Donald Gallovie, Torgarve of Phoness.
Alec. Macpherson, Etterish (2).

PHONESS 1803.

1. John Macpherson, Wester Phoness.
2. Alex. Macpherson, do.
3. Malcolm Macpherson, do. BENCHAR.
4. Duncan Macdonald, Tullichero of l3enchar.
5. Duncan Mackintosh, do.
6. Neil Macpherson, do.
7. Donald Macdonald, Croftdraulin of do.
8. Wm. Kennedy, Dalchirnrnor of do.
9. Elspet Anderson, do.
10. James Macintyre, do.
11. Duncan Macbean, Dalchirnbeg of do.
12. John Mackintosh, Millton of do.
13. John Mackintosh Mac Coil, do.
14. Wm. Mackintosh, Croftcoinack of do.
15. Wm. Davidson, Croftcoinack of do.
16. Alex. Warren, Coftduack of do.
17. Alex. MacEdward, do.
18. Jas. Davidson, Croftroy of do.
19. Alex, Maclean, Lurg of do.
20. Alexander Mackay, Lurg.
21. John Mackintosh, Lurg, Clune.
22. John Kennedy, Craggan of Clune
23. Duncan Cattanach, Clackeirnach of Clune
24. Wm. dhu Cattanach, Croft of Clune.
25. John Macpherson, Knock of Clune.
26, Jas. Cattanach, Shanval of Clune.
27. Donald Mackintosh, Mosshouse of Clune
28. John Mackenzie, Newton of Clune.
29. John Gordon, do.
30. Lachlan Mackintosh, do.
31. Donald Maclean, do.
32. Janet Macpherson, do.
33 Alexander Roy Cattanach, do.

RAITTS.

34. Duncan Macbean, Wester Raitts.
35. John Macpherson, do.
36. John Gordon, do.
37. Evan Macdonald, Midtown of do.
38. Patrick Macdonald, do.
39. Lachlan Macdonald, do.
40. Elspet Stewart, do.
41. Donald Davidson, do.
42. John Cattanach, do.
43. Wrn. Macbean, Easter Raitts.
44. Wm. Macpherson, Tigh-na-cairne.
45. Donald Stewart, Tullysoul House.

1806 - PHONESS.

1. Elspet Macpherson, Mains of Phoness
2. Evan Macgregor, Wester Phoness.
3. Malcolm Macpherson, do.
4. Elizabeth Macgregor, do.

ETTERISH.

5. John Macpherson, merchant,EasterEtterish.
6. James Macdonald, Torgarvebeg.
7. Anne Macintyre, Torgarvebeg.
8. Elizabeth Cameron, do.
9. Malcolm Macintyre, Easter Etterish.
10. Katharine Macpherson, Wester Etterish (warned in 1802).
11. Nelly Robertson, do.
12. James Macpherson, do. (warned in 1802).

BENCHAR.

13. Margt. Macintyre, Dalchirnmore.
14 Anne Cattanach, Militon of Benchar.
15. Winnie Macpherson, do.
16. Margt. Cattanach, do.

CLUNE.

17. Alex. Cattanach, Craggan of Clune.
18. Margt. Maclean, do.
19. Janet Cattanach, do.
20. Elizabeth Cameron, do.
21. Anne Warrand, do.
22. Katharine Macpherson, do.
23. Mary Macpherson, Clackernach.
24. John Mackay, Croftroy of Benchar.
25. Donald Maclean, Newtown of Clune.
26. Alexander Gordon, do.
27. Samuel Macpherson, do.
28. Lachlan Mackintosh, do.
29. John Mackenzie, do.
30. Anne Macpherson, do.

RAITTS.

31. John Macdonald, Upper Raitts.
32. Christian Cattanach, Baidhu of Raitts.
33. Duncan Robertson, do.
34. Marjory Macdonald do.
35, Isobel Gordon, Kerrow of Raitts.
36. Jean Cruikshank, Strathinlea of Raitts.
37. Christian Macbean, Tyravoan of Raitts.
38. Alexander Gordon, Achavourich of Raitts.

INVERNAHAVEN

1. Capt. Alex. Clark.

PHONESS.

2. John Macfarlane, Mains of Phoness, Tynallan.

WESTER PHONESS.

3. Alex. Macpherson, Wester Phoness.
4. John Macpherson, do.
5. Donald Kennedy, do.
6. John Kennedy, do.
7. Margt. Kennedy, Torgarve of Phoness (warned out 180 under name of Mary K. or Guthrie).
8. John Guthrie, do. (warned 1802).
9. Donald Mackinnon, do.
10. John Anderson, do.

ETTERISH.

11. Donald Macpherson, Easter do. (warned in 1802).
12. Evan Macpherson, Wester do.
13. Thomas Macpherson, Culreach.
14. John Macpherson, do.
15. James Macpherson, Drumree.
16. John Macpherson, Phoness.

CLUNE.

17. Duncan Macdonald, Tullichero.
18. Donald Macpherson. do.
19. Neil Macpherson, do.
20. Donald Macdonald, Croftdraulin.
21. James Macintyre, Dalchirnmor.
22. William Macdonald, do.
23. William Kennedy, do.
24. Duncan Macbean, Dalchirnbeg.
25. Evan Mackintosh, do.
26. John Mackintosh, Lurg.
27. Alexander Maclean, do.
28. Alexander Mackay, do.

BENCHAR.

29. John Mackintosh, miller, Milltown of Benchar.
30. John Mackintosh, Milltown of do.
31. William Mackintosh, do.
32. Alexander Mackintosh, do.
33. William Mackintosh, Croftcoinack.
34. William Davidson, do.
35. John Macpherson, Revack of Clune.
36. John Kennedy, Craggan of do
37. Angus Kennedy, do.
38. Wm. Cattanach, Croft of Clurie.
39. James Cattanach, Shanval of Clune.
40. Duncan Kennedy, Clachernach.
41. CharlesWarrand, Croftduack.
42. Alex. Kennedy, do.
43. Samuel Davidson, Croftroy.
44. Donald Mackintosh, Aluirhouse of Clune.
45. Donald Cattanach, Newton of Clune.
46. John Gordon, do.
47. William Gordon, do.
48. Alexander MacEdward, do.
49. Alexander Macpherson, Knock na Coileach.

RAITTS.

50. Alex. Macpherson, Upper Raitts.
51. Ewen Macpherson, do.
52. Donald Davidson, do.
53. Duncan Macbean do.
54. John Gordon, junior, do.
55. John Gordon, senior, do. G. Wm. Macpherson, Tynacairn of Raitts.
57. Lachlan Macdonald, Baidhu of Rains.
58. Donald Davidson, do.
59. Evan Macdonald, do.
60. Peter Macdonald, do.
61. Elizabeth Stewart, do.
62. Alex. Macpherson, do.
63. John Cattanach, do.
64. Robert Warrand, Kerrowdhu of Raitts.
65. Paul Macbean, Tillysoul of Raitts.

Total heads of families in 1806, 103, probably 500 souls.

PARISH OF DAVIOT AND DUNLICHITY.

PAGE 434, at the end.

There are two names connected with the parish in later times that should not be overlooked in these days when the Gaelic people, their language and literature, have come so well to the front, viz., those of the Rev. Duncan Mackenzie, the respected Episcopal clergyman at Tullich, and Mr John Rose, schoolmaster at Croachie, who, at a very depressed period of Celtic literature, earned by their labour and learning, a high name in their day, and are at present, looked upon with the respect, affection, and admiration of Highlanders. That I had the honour of the acquaintance of both is a matter of great satisfaction.


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