MacNaughton History

**SoulFyre777** · 13th May 09, 10:51 AM

Not sure if I'm posting this in the right place. Mods feel free to move if necessary...

In doing some research of my Scottish ancestry, I've come across some conflicting information. Originally, I read that the MacNaughtons opposed Robert the Bruce and supported the Baliol clan thus sealing their fate to exile to Ireland after the Bruce's win at Bannockburn. Exiled they were until King David(?) restored their lands many years later.

HOWEVER, I've just found recently that no no, the MacNaughtons stood by the Bruce and fought valiently. It was love and love of the drink that lost them their lands. Seems that the successor to the MacNaughton clan seat was to marry the daughter of the neighbouring clan Campbell's chief. On the wedding day, Campbell got MacNaughton quite drunk and switched daughters on him and tricked him into marrying the other (apparently 'less-pretty') daughter. Angered by Campbell's trickery, MacNaughton stole away in the night with the original Campbell daughter and they eloped to Ireland, leaving Dunderave and all the MacNaughton lands to be awards to Campbell for his 'loss'.

Obviously there could be some 'fluffing' of either story to allow them to both be true or perhaps there is some false information floating about... Anyone who can speak on this, I'm all ears... I'd love to think that my ancestors, though a fool for the girl (AND the drink), fought to win Scotland her freedom but I'm just not ready to swear that just yet... Any input is welcome! Thanks!

**SoulFyre777** · 13th May 09, 11:46 AM

Apparently, all I needed to do was post this to reveal the answer to MYSELF.... haha

Originally Posted by http://www.memphisscots.com/Clans/Macnachtan.html

Clan MacNachtan History

The Macnaghtens are one of the clans who claimed descent from the great Pictish rulers of Moray. The name Nechtan, which may mean "pure" or "clear," was popular in at least one branch of the Pictish royal line. In the thirteenth century there are records of three brothers, Gilchrist, Athe and Gilbert, the sons of Malcolm Macnachten. Gilchrist received from Alexander III a charter in 1267 granting him the keepership of a castle warding the narrow Pass of Brander, the gateway to the west.

By coming to Loch Awe, the Macnachtens became neighbours of the powerful and acquisitive Campbells. When Robert the Bruce set out to gain the throne, the Campbells were quick to come to his support while the Macnachtens, under the influence of Macdougalls, opposed him. Macnachtens formed part of the Macdougall host that fought against Bruce's army at the Pass of Brander in 1306, and later at Dalrigh near Tyndrum. The Macnachtens appear to have changed their allegiance and a Baron Macnachten, possibly Alexander of that Ilk, is recorded fighting at Bannockburn in 1314. The Macnachtens gained little from their late change of heart, and from that point on the Campbells dominated Loch Awe. Alexander, the chief who may have fought at Bannockburn, took for his second wife Christina Campbell. When she was widowed in 1361, Christina granted to her cousin, Sir Colin Campbell of Lochow, her marriage portion of one third of the Macnachten lands. Alexander's son, Duncan, succeeded to the remaining lands. He made his seat at Dunderave, which was thereafter the territorial designation of the chiefs. In 1478, Duncan's heir, Alexander, acknowledged the Campbell Earls of Argyll as feudal superiors and accepted a charter to his lands from the earl's hands. His grandson, yet another Alexander, was knighted by James IV and followed the king to Flodden in 1513, where he was one of the few survivors. He died two years later. He had married twice and had six sons, the eldest of whom succeeded his grandfather in 1527. The second son, Ian, acted as tutor to his nephew and was the father of Ian, or John, Dhu, who may be the "Shane Dhu" credited with founding the Irish branch of the family.

In 1548 Gilbert Macnachten succeeded as chief. When he died without issue, the succession devolved upon his younger brother, Alexander. He started the rebuilding of Dunderave Castle on Loch Fyne and it was completed by his son, lain, in 1596. In 1627 the Macnachten chiefs raised a force of bow-men to go to the siege of La Rochelle to assist the French Huguenot rebels in their fight against Cardinal Richelieu, effective ruler of France. The chief was in high favour at the court of Charles I, and served as a Gentleman of the Privy Chamber. However, the expense of the French expedition and the extravagance demanded by living at court forced Macnachten to mortgage his lands.

Alexander died in 1630, followed shortly afterwards by his childless heir, leaving Dunderave in the hands of Alexander's brother, Malcolm of Killearn. Malcolm's son, Alexander, was a fervent royalist, and when he succeeded to the chiefship he called out his clansmen, accompanied by Argyll's son, for the abortive rising against the Cromwellian occupation led by the EarI of Glencairn in 1653. The expedition was sheer folly, and earned Macnachten the enmity of Argyll. He was knighted after the Restoration in 1660, but through Argyll's influence he was later denounced as an outlaw. The lands were almost entirely lost through debt, and lain, the next chief, who succeeded in 1685, inherited little more than an empty title. He joined the forces of Graham of Claverhouse, the "Bonnie" Viscount Dundee, fighting for James VII at Killiecrankie in 1689. He was denounced as a Jacobite rebel, and his remaining lands were forfeited. His younger son, John, was the last chief of this line. He was forced to make a formal disposition of the remainder of the estate in 1710 to Sir James Campbell of Ardkinglas. He died leaving no legitimate heir.

John Macnaughten, known as "Shane Dhu," appeared in Ireland as secretary to his kinsman, the Earl of Antrim, in 1580. On the extinction of the Dunderave line his greatgrandson, Edmond, was pressed to become chief. He declined, but his son, Edmund Alexander, was recognised as chief in 1818. When he died in 1832 he was succeeded by his brother, Francis, who was a judge in Madras and Calcutta. He was created a baronet in 1836. Sir Edward, fourth Baronet, was a distinguished lawyer who became a Lord of Appeal in 1887 with the life peerage of "Baron Macnaghten of Runkerry." He was succeeded by his son, Sir Edward, whose sons both succeeded to the title, but were killed in the First World War. Sir Francis, eighth Baronet, succeeded his nephews, and is the father of the present chief.

So, indeed, both were possible....

**Alan H** · 13th May 09, 12:35 PM

Oh, but the story about the two Campbell daughters is SO much more fun than the more likely reality of debt, picking the wrong side of the battle lines, and so on!

**JolyStNicholas** · 13th May 09, 03:15 PM

I have read the tail about the Campbell daughters, I can't find it just now in my readings but I will come back to this post when I do.

**SoulFyre777** · 13th May 09, 06:18 PM

Yes, it would seem that both happened... *sits down by the fire and reclines into his chair with a far-off look in his eye, pipe smoke filling the air*

During the early part of the Bruce's campaign against the tyranny of England, the MacNaughtons sided with the manipulative MacDougalls and therefore against the Bruce, though certainly completely unaware of sinning against their beloved leader, Mr. Bruce. Suddenly, their eyes were opened and, having realised the folly of their actions and trying very hard to regain the trust of Robert the Bruce, they fought valiently next to him at Bannockburn... But as is always the case, the negative was seen first and remembered first and they were unfairly exiled by the Bruce...

...Until David II saw the grave mistake that took place all those years ago and did his BEST to restore the MacNaughtons to their former glory. They were on their way to winning the role of "Those Guy that the King always trusts" when the dastardly Campbell chief tried to pawn off his second rate daughter for MacNaughton's true love!! Insisting he was a lightweight and that his mother really doesn't like it when he drinks more than she can, MacNaughton was compelled to be cordial to his soon-to-be father-in-law and kept politely sipping the rather bitter whisky that Campbell continued to pour. (It was the Campbell's family label, aged at least 2 hours. Frankly, MacNaughton didn't see what Campbell saw in this stuff anyway.) Alas! The bitter brew did him in and with the name of his True Love on his lips, he succumbed to its poison and collapsed to the floor.
As he regained consciousness, he woke up to the rustle of clothing.
"Darling?"
"MmmAye...?" he replied groggily.
"Wasn't the wedding beautiful??"
"Errrmm..... Aye.... err.... what I remember of it..." he responded. All at once, he knew that Campbell had robbed him of the single most treasured day of his life. He had taken his wedding day from him by poisoning his mind with that draught. He was crushed. What man could do this?? Who could take....
"MOTHER OF..... PEARL!!!! Nessie's in mae barrow!!!" And ignoring the historical inaccuracy of his statement, he ran screaming from his bedroom leaving Hogette Campbell, mouth agape.
He ran straight to the window of his True Love and beckoned her join him on a "bit of a holiday" in Ireland. She agreed upon the condition of bringing her pet haggis named "Bruce". MacNaughton shuddered in wretched guilt at the mention of this name but humbly agreed. His True Love jumped from the highest balcony into MacNaughton's arms and they rode off into the sunset, MacNaughton murmuring something about his "slipped disc" the whole way.
Realising all he was leaving behind but choosing true love above all else, they stole away to live out their lives to the fullest, needing no land, no title, nothing but the love they both shared!!! They didn't need those riches or heraldry they left in Scotland, no! They had love.... and, as they say, "all you need is love"......

At least, that's how I read it....

'Researched' and presented by Adam "Paul Harvey he ain't" Ward

**gilmore** · 13th May 09, 07:07 PM

Originally Posted by SoulFyre777

...

Seems that the successor to the MacNaughton clan seat was to marry the daughter of the neighbouring clan Campbell's chief. On the wedding day, Campbell got MacNaughton quite drunk and switched daughters on him and tricked him into marrying the other (apparently 'less-pretty') daughter. Angered by Campbell's trickery, MacNaughton stole away in the night with the original Campbell daughter and they eloped to Ireland, leaving Dunderave and all the MacNaughton lands to be awards to Campbell for his 'loss'.

Obviously there could be some 'fluffing' of either story to allow them to both be true or perhaps there is some false information floating about... Anyone who can speak on this, I'm all ears... I'd love to think that my ancestors, though a fool for the girl (AND the drink), fought to win Scotland her freedom but I'm just not ready to swear that just yet... Any input is welcome! Thanks!

It sounds remarkably similar to Laban giving his daughter Leah to Jacob fraudulently, instead of Rachel, whom Jacob thought he was marrying. It's a story that would have been well-known in Scotland at the relevant times.