1500S

1500s: Charters granted to vassals of the Lord of the Isles are revoked [DMM; Gregory, pp. 94-5].

            1. MacAlasdairs in Scotland

During much of the 16th century, the MacAlasdairs “seem to have sheltered themselves under the protection of the Macdonalds of Dunnyveg and the Houses of Argyll and Hamilton. They [a]re not crown vassals, but h[o]ld their possessions from Dunnyveg and Argyll, especially Dunnyveg” [Castleton, p. 166].

—“After the forfeiture of the Lordship of the Isles, [the Clan Allaster] attache[s] itself, for about a century, to the more powerful Clan Ian Vor” (MacDonalds of Dunnyveg) [Gregory, p. 68].

—Other MacAlasdairs become “vassals of the Campbell earls of Argyll and surviv[e] Campbell hegemony in their homelands with more success than most”, among them the Tarbert family and the Stirlingshire Alexanders” [Grant, p. 148]; see 1330s, mid-1500s.

—MacAlasdairs are raiding in Bute, where some of them settle [Grant, p. 148]; “a considerable number” also settle in Arran [DMM; CMS, p. 27], where they give bonds of manrent to the Hamil-tons[1] [Grant, ibid.].

—It is probably in this century that the Macalisters of Ceannlochcaolisport remove one of five ancient chapels near the parish of South Knapdale, relics of the “primitive Christianity” once found in the area, “on account of its contiguity to their house” [Stat. Acct.: S. Knapdale,  pp. 313–14].

            2. Ulster

—After three generations of marriage between Macdonald South chiefs and Irish heiresses, and the settlement by that family of “several cadets of their own house as tenants in the territories of the Glens” [Gregory, p. 193],  “[b]y the beginning of the sixteenth century the MacDonalds of the Glens, Islay, and Kintyre rul[e] a formidable lordship in the north” of Ireland [Bardon, p. 68].[2]

—The Clan Alasdair is “recognised as one of the leading galloglas clans during the 16^th century” [“News”, no. 35, p. 2]; see mid-1500s. This no doubt results from their continued alliance with the House of Dunnyveg, whose interference in Ireland is almost continuous [Gregory, pp. 193-201].

1502:   1. Donald Dhù, grandson and nearest heir of the last Lord of the Isles, is sprung from Inchconnell Castle by his clansmen, who hope to reestablish the forfeited Lordship [Feud, p. 44; MacDougall, p. 104]; see 1543/5. Gregory puts this a bit differently, saying that the combination of “all the necessary steps [being] taken preparatory to the expulsion of many of the vassals of the old Lordship of the Isles from their possessions” with the appearance in their midst of Donald Dhù, who has escaped from his prison and “whom they regar[d] as their hereditary Lord” serves to unite them behind him; his “adherents . . . increas[e] daily” [Gregory, pp. 95-6].

2. “At the same time the commissioners ha[ve] strict injunctions to expel all broken men from these districts, which, in the state of affairs at that time, [i]s equivalent to an order to expel the whole population” [Gregory, p. 97].

1505:   1. (July) Macallasters listed as one of the principal Kintyre families

Earl of Argyll, now Crown Chamberlain of the forfeited Lordship, comes to Ceanlochport with the Bishop of Argyll and draws up a rental of the lands to settle accounts. “This is the earliest Kintyre rental in existence, and is of great historical value and interest, in that it gives in detail the names and extents of each holding, the names of their occupants, and the rents paid by each. From this rental we are enabled to obtain a clear picture of the principal Kintyre families in the fifteenth century.” Among those listed is MacAlasdair of Loup, occupying “the estate of that name on West Loch Tarbert, and also . . . tacks of other holdings in Kintyre. Branches [a]re the Macallasters of Tarbert, and the Clan Allaster Beg of Arran” [McKerral, p. 9]. The MacAlasdair chief at this time is named as Alexander Makalexander [Kintyre Rentals, p. 3], who is holding the lands granted to his grandfather in 1481 [Munro, pp. 218-9]. Roderick McAlester has a grant of Kilkevan in South Kintyre [ibid., p. 5]; this is probably Alasdair’s brother, who was (?later) Bishop of the Isles.

2. Thomas Alexander (of the Menstrie family) is named as an arbiter in a dispute between the Abbot of Cambuskenneth and Sir David Bruce of Clackmannan [“Fortiter”, June 1982, p. 2].

            3. See 1511

1506:   In this year, despite the government’s aims and a number of forfeitures, “the clans of the Isles and adjacent coasts continu[e] to occupy, many of them, perhaps, contrary to law, their ancient poss- essions” [Gregory, p. 102].

1508:   (16 June) A Donald Mole Makalester convicted of “the cruel slaughter of John Russell, Patrik Weddale, and sundry other persons” and various thefts; hanged [Pitcairn, vol. 1, p. 51].

1511:   first known charter relating to Tarbert Castle/keepership [CMS, p. 19], although Mitchell [pp. 36, 73] believes the castle was given into Argyll’s keeping in 1505.[3]

1513:   (9 Sept.) Battle of Flodden: death of James IV; few MacDonalds are present [Feud, p. 46]. At this point Alexander Macdonald of Dunnyveg and the Glens returns to Scotland from Antrim [McKerral, p. 14].

1515:   “John” McAlester of Loup is mentioned in a charter as a “servitor of Colin, Earl of Argyll . . . to receive special protection by Regent Albany”[4] [CMS, p. 2]. This “John” is Angus vic Ean Dhù M’Alester, the first to be styled ‘of Loup’ (see 1330-1500, note 15), whose own name appears in the Register of the Privy Seal [Mitchell, pp. 72–73].

                        1517/18: William Alexander holds the lands of Tullibody and Menstrie from the Earl of Argyll ["Fortiter",

                                   June 1982, p. 2; Castleton, p. 173].        

1519:   1. Name appears as “McAllestyr” [Black, p. 450].

2. Rebellion involving  the MacDonalds of Dunnyveg takes place this year [Feud, p. 54].

1521:   Bond of friendship is agreed between an Alexander MacIain MacAlister of Glengarry and Ewan

            Allanson of Lochiel, including a pledge “to lease land to each other if they [obtain] it” [Dodgshon, p. 36].

1524:   Name appears as “Makallestir” [Black, p. 450].

1526:   1. James V gives to the Earl of Argyll the lands of South Knapdale and the keeping of “the Castle of Tarbert when built” [DMM].

2. (8^th April) charter for the lands of Menstrie granted by the Earl of Argyll to Andrew Alexander and his wife, Catherine Graham, in liferent, and to their son Alexander in fee[5] [Castleton, p. 173]; see 1427.

1527:   Andrew Alexander of Menstrie succeeded by his son, Alexander[6] [Castleton, p. 173].

1528:   King James V, in his 17^th year, assumes personal control of the government. At this point “the policy of the Government seems to have undergone a considerable change”. Among other things, all grants made during his minority are declared void. This leads inevitably to more disorder in the Highlands [Gregory, pp. 128-9].

1529:    Alexander, 2^nd of Loup,  involved in Dunnyveg insurrection

 “The Clandonald of Isla, and their present chief, . . . were probably among the number of those rewarded by the Earl of Angus with grants of Crown lands. But the late Act of Council having declared all such grants null, the efforts of Argyle to enforce an act so favourable to himself, and a sense of the injustice with which they conceiv[e] themselves to have been treated, soon dr[i]ve Alexander [MacDonald] of Isla and his followers into insurrection” [Gregory, p. 132; Feud, p. 54]. Along with Macleans and the Dunnyveg MacDonalds, Alexander of Loup is involved in an invasion of Campbell lands (Roseneath, Lennox, and Craignish), “which they ravage with fire and sword, killing at the same time many of the inhabitants”, according to the Registry of the Privy Seal [Gregory, p. 132]. For this role they all come under the displeasure of the government (23 July) [“Fortiter”, Jan. 1982, p. 2; Castleton, p. 166].

1530:   On 24^th April, Parliament is summoned to Edinburgh to pass sentence of forfeiture on those insurgents who continue in disobedience. Preparations begin for a royal expedition to the West Highlands to bring the troubles under control [Gregory, pp. 135-6].

1531:   Alexander MacDonald of Islay and Hector MacLean of Duart travel to Stirling to submit to the king. By summer, the other principal chiefs, “finding that the King would gladly avoid measures of extreme severity, follo[w] the example of Alexander of Isla and Maclean of Dowart, and ma[k]e their personal submission to the Sovereign, by whom they [a]re pardoned, upon giving security for their obedience in future” [Gregory, pp. 137-8]. Unable to find security (hostages, see 500-1299, note 16) for his future behaviour, Alexander of Loup is put to the horn[7] along with his companions until James Macdonald, son of Alexander of Dunnyveg, is accepted by the Justice Clerk [“Fortiter”, Jan. 1982, p. 2; Castleton, p. 166].

1532:   1. “John” McAlester of Loup[8] signs bond of fealty to Earl of Argyll (document still pre- served at Inverary) [CMS, p. 1].

2. John Dous (Iain Dùbh) MacAlaster of Auchandarroch (10 miles north of Tarbert) and Sir Alex- ander MacAlaster are “principle witnesses to a [bond of manrent] signed at Ardcarradill (i.e., Car- radale in Kintyre)” [CMS, p. 19]. Note: This Iain Dùbh is not the chief, who would be “of Loup”; Iain is common, and common names are often followed by colour descriptions like dùbh (“black”) as a means of distinguishing one bearer of the name from another. It’s possible that the bond these men witnessed was in fact the bond of fealty made by McAlester of Loup to Argyll.

1539:   1. A new attempt is made “to restore the Lordship of the Isles and Earldom of Ross to one of the old family”, this time Donald Gorm[9] of Sleat. The “conspiracy . . . soon embrace[s] a majority of the Island chiefs” [Gregory, pp. 144-5].

2. Chief of the clan Alasdair is outlawed—along with his brother, nephew, and 300 men—for their involvement in an affray on Campbell lands in Knapdale [DMM]. Note: This was Alexander— not, as D. M. MacDonald claims, the second chief, but rather the second to be styled ‘of Loup’. (Is this in connexion with the Donald Gorm insurrection?)

1540:   1. Name appears as “McAlestare” [Black, p. 450]

2. (16 August) Alexander, Laird of Loup, granted remission for “treasonably abiding from the army at Sullaway”, i.e. Solway[10] [Pitcairn, vol. I., p. 255].

3. This year sees “the annexation of the Lordship of the Isles, with North and South Kintyre, in- alienably to the Crown” [Gregory, pp. 148-9].

1541:   (25 June) Exchequer Rolls of Scotland (vol. XVII) show Alexander McAllester of Loupe holding 4 merklands at Artardill; Renaldmoir (Ranald Mòr) McAllester rents the adjoining lands of Dewpin [Kintyre Rentals, p. 10]. Ranald is the youngest son of “John” [i.e., Angus vic Ean Dhù]; the lands of Dewpin will later be the Torrisdale family seat. Alexander has also Armot (Amod) in Barr Glen from the Crown [CMS, pp. 21, 30].

1542:   Scots are defeated by the English in the Battle of Solway Moss

1. James V dies after this battle. His successor, Mary Queen of Scots, is an infant, and control of the government falls to her mother, the Frenchwoman Mary of Guise, and her allies, most notably the Earl of Arran, who serves as regent. Under this regent, “[t]he leading party in Scotland [i]s that of the Catholic clergy”, led by Cardinal Beaton and guided by “a determined opposition to the pro- gress of the Reformation, and a devotion to the Papal see; friendship with France; hostility to Eng- land; and a resolution, which all must applaud, of preserving the ancient independence of their country”. Opposing them were “all the supporters of the Reformation; and at their head was the Earl of Arran”. This Protestant opposition supported closer ties with England, including a dynastic marriage proposed by King Henry; Argyll, though not among the men of influence at this time, re- alised this would mean Scotland’s absorption into England and spoke against it [Gregory, p. 154].

2. A Donald McAlester of Largie, Kintyre, along with his son John and 27 others, are granted re- mission for “treasonably abiding from the Raid of Sullway”, i.e., Solway, “and for all other crimes” [Pitcairn, vol. I, p. 258]; later, a precept of remission is recorded in the register of the privy seal of Scotland for John Makalester and 15 of his clansmen (v. 1-2 [1488– 1542] RSS., II, 4454), possibly for the same crime [Black, p. 450; “Fortiter”, Jan. 1982, p. 2].

1543/5: Donald Dhù rebellion

“[A] force of 1,800 MacDonald allies hit[s] the Campbell heartlands with considerable loss of life”; this is part of a rising designed to establish Donald Dhù as Lord of the Isles (see 1502); his death (possibly of measles) “end[s] the last serious attempt to restore the Lordship of the Isles” [Feud, pp. 49–50, 54; Gregory, p. 176]. This rebellion has the support of Henry of England, still trying to push through a marriage treaty, and it is interesting to note that James Macdonald of Islay (i.e., Dunnyveg and the Glens), almost alone among the Clan Donald, supported Argyll and the Scot- tish government against the Islanders (though he appears at the end to have been wavering) [Gregory, pp. 157, 171-7]. Note: Not sure where the Clan Alasdair stood, though in this period they generally followed the Dunnyveg family.

1544:   Invasion of Western Highlands & Isles by English troops under the Earl of Lennox, supported by most of those Islanders backing Donald Dhù, but opposed by Argyll and Dunyveg, both of whose lands are plundered and burnt by the invaders [Gregory, pp. 166-7].

1545:   1. Roderick, 3^rd son of [Angus] vic Ean Dhù, appointed Bishop of the Isles [CMS, p. 2]

2. James McConnell (Macdonald of Dunnyveg and the Glens) receives a “huge land grant which must have included all the Crown Lands in Kintyre . . . in the Barony of Barr”; evidentally, some of these are in turn granted by Macdonald to MacAlasdairs [“News”, no. 14, p. 2; McKerral, p. 14], perhaps indicating that the MacAlasdairs supported the Dunnyveg family against the rest of the MacDonald host during the Donald Dhù rebellion.

1548:   Name appears as “M’Alstar” [Black, p. 450]

mid-1500s: 1. Tarbert family established:  Donald, 2^nd son of (Angus) vic Ean Dhù, becomes first Laird and Constable of Tarbert, an official position under the Scottish Crown [CMS, p. 2; Mitchell, p. 73], and the MacAlasdairs hold Tarbert Castle as vassals of Argyll. The Tarbert Macalisters, a cadet branch of the Loup family, date from this time; see 1511.

2. After the failure of the Donald Dhù rising, “we find no trace in the records of any attempt on the part of the Islesmen to restore the ancient dynasty of the Isles. The different branches of the fam- ily of the Isles, and the other tribes inhabiting the Lordship, bec[o]me gradually more estranged from each other, and more desirous each to extend its own power at the expense of its neigh-bours” [Gregory, p. 180]. Nonetheless, we see Macalasdair chiefs acting in concert with the Dun- nyveg family for some time after this [qqv. 1580, 1598].

            3. MacAlasdairs serve as galloglaich in the North of Ireland

“In their endeavours to maintain and to extend their Irish possessions, the Clandonald [a]re not only involved in frequent feuds with the Irish of Ulster, but [a]re occasionally brought into hostile contact with the English forces” [Gregory, p. 193]. “Whether in making war themselves, or in aiding the Irish chiefs to make war, they kept Ulster in constant unrest”.[11]

—“During the period 1540–72 [the MacAlasdairs are] very active in the North of Ireland which [i]s in a state of constant warfare. . . . The Clan Alasdair g[i]ve Sorley [Buidhe[12], the brother of James of Dunnyveg, who acts as manager on the family’s Irish estates] their most strenuous support” [Castleton, p. 166; Gregory, pp. 194-201].

—Involvement of the Loup family “in Irish affairs is indicated by the deaths, in military action, of two men of the name – one of them described as ‘the Laird of Loup’ – in Antrim during the late 16^th century” [Martin, p. 94].

—Alexanders of Antrim also ally themselves with Dunnyveg Macdonalds in support of Sorley Buidhe’s attempts to drive the English from Ulster [CMS, p. 42]. Note: In fact, it was really more a matter of the English trying to drive them out; the presence of the MacDonalds stirred up trouble, contributing to the general unrest caused by Irish opposition to the English presence in Ulster. The English objected to “the inconvenience that had arisen from a powerful Scottish subject havi- ng influence in a province already sufficiently disinclined to the English yoke” [Gregory, pp. 197-8].

1554:   Mary of Guise succeeds Arran as Regent.

1555:   1. Mary of Guise renews efforts to pacify the Highlands. Among other things, Argyle and Athole are granted commissions over the Isles [Gregory, pp. 184-5]. “There can . . . be little doubt that the Regent would soon have made her authority felt, even by those Islanders most removed from the seat of justice, had not her attention been, after this time, exclusively occupied by the progress of the Reformation in Scotland” [Gregory, p. 186].

2. Religious state of the Highlands:  “Although the Reformation was undoubtedly one of the most important events in Scottish history, yet its progress is to be traced almost exclusively in the history of the Lowlands. . . . It is not to be supposed . . . that the great Highland barons were slow to follow the example of their Lowland neighbours in seizing the lands and revenues of the church. . . . But in such proceeding the bulk of the Highland population, if we except the vassals of the Earl of Argyle, seem to have taken little interest; and many of them long continued to adhere, as a portion still do, to the worship of their fathers” [Gregory, p. 187]. In other words, most of the High- landers at this time are still Catholic.[13]

c. 1558: Alistair Og mac Donald, captain of Sorley Buidhe’s galloglasses, from about this time known as Alistair of Kenbane and Inchcrane castles near Ballycastle (Antrim); he is the ancestor of the MacAllisters of Kenbane; from his grandson John descend the Moycraig MacAllisters, from John’s brother Patrick the MacAllisters of Clintagh [CMS, p. 48]. Note: These families are therefore properly Clan Donald and not Clan Alasdair.

1561–85: During this period “the general history of the Highlands and Isles possesses little interest. Re- peated failures seem to have made the western clans sensible of the impossibility of reestab-lishing, in any shape, the old Lordship of the Isles; and they gradually lear[n] to prefer holding their lands under the sovereign directly, to being vassals of any subject, however powerful” [Gregory, p. 189]. Ireland, as previously noted, is a different matter entirely.

1564:   Feud between the Macleans and the Macdonalds of Islay and Kintyre hots up; the Macleans are occupying land in the Rinns of Islay, which they claim to hold as crown tenants, but in this year the Privy Council supports the claim of Macdonald that he is, in fact the legal tenant, and “that the Macleans, if they continued to remain on the lands, must hold them of Macdonald, under the same conditions of personal and other services as the rest of Macdonald’s vassals in Isla held their lands” [Gregory, p. 191].

1565:   1. By this year the hostility between the Macleans and Macdonald of Islay is such that “they [a]re compelled to find sureties each to the amount of ten thousand pounds, for their abstinence from mutual hostilities” [Gregory, p. 192].[14]

2. At the request of Sorley Buidhe Macdonald, James of Isla comes from Scotland with a signi-ficant force to assist him. “Soon after landing, they [a]re surprised by a party of the O’Neills . . . and in the conflict which ensue[s], the Scots [a]re defeated with considerable slaughter. James Macdonald [i]s mortally wounded, and his brother Angus [i]s slain; while Sorley Buy f[alls] into the hands of the victor, with many of his followers”[15] [Gregory, pp. 289-90, 192]. (Interestingly, there is evidence that the Earl of Argyll attempted to intercede for the liberation of Sorley Buidhe Macdonald [Gregory, p. 290].) Though Sorley Buidhe is later released, “after the death of James Macdonald, this family never regain[s] its former power” [Gregory, p. 201].

1567:   birth of William (later Sir William) Alexander in Menstrie Castle [Grant, p. 148; Castleton, p. 173; Donaldson/Morpeth, p. 148; Keay, p. 24]; see 1621, 1625.

1568:  Sorley Buidhe, who after the death of his brother seized the Ulster estates for himself, “[i]s suc- cessful over the English government on all fronts, and succeed[s] in occupying almost all the garrisons on the coasts of Antrim” [Castleton, p. 166; Gregory, pp. 221-2]. His supporters include many MacAlasdairs (see 1500s, #2).

1569:  1. (19 Feb.) State papers record the deaths of “a number of the Clan Alasdair” including “Scottish Captains of the Clan Alasdair” (Randal, Donough, and Gilleasbuig are named) in a battle between Owen MacGilleasbuig (apparently commander of a detachment of Sorley Buidhe’s Scot- tish troops) and English forces.  “We are unable to give the battle a name or location, or to deter- mine exactly the result” [Castleton, p. 166], although presumably it took place somewhere in the north of Ireland.

            2. Name appears as “Mcillaistrie” [Black, p. 450]

1571:   Africk McQuhollastar mentioned in a charter of wadset[16] (Scrymgeour Family Docs., p. 71) [Black, p. 450].

1572:   (winter) “John”, 3^rd of Loup (“ ‘Owen McOwen Duffe McAlasterain [e.g., Iain mac Iain Dùbh], called the Lord of Loup’ ”) slain at the Battle of Knockfergus [“Fortiter”, Jan. 1982, p. 3; Martin, p. 94], in which “a body of Scottish Highlanders [a]re defeated by Cheston, Captain of the English forces” [Castleton, p. 166]; the MacAlasdair chief is “more esteemed than Sorley Buy,” according to the chronicler [“Fortiter”, ibid.; Castleton, ibid.; Gregory puts this battle in 1575 (pp. 221-2)]; see 1573. Note: This “John” is Hector.

1573:   Alexander mac Eachainn Macalester succeeds as 4^th of Loup [Castleton, p. 166; DMM (although he gets the names backwards)]; he obtains a charter from the Earl of Argyll.  Note: mac Eachainn means ‘son of Hector’; see 1572.

1576:   Name appears as “Makallastair” [Black, p. 450]

1577:   Campbells attack Clan Donald territories [Feud, p. xi]. (Are any MacAlasdair lands involved?)

1578:   1. James VI, aged 12, nominally assumes control of the Government; in fact, however, Captain James Stewart (later Earl of Arran) is the primary power in the state [Gregory, p. 215].

2. Assumption by Lauchlan Maclean of chieftainship of his clan. Maclean has already  proven himself a man not afraid of bloodshed and not overly troubled by the laws, and  “[u]nder a chief disposed to act in so violent and illegal a manner the Macleans could not long avoid a collision with the Macdonalds of Isla regarding the disputed district in that island” [Gregory, pp. 217-8].

1579:   King James and the Privy council command Lauchlan Maclean of Dowart and Angus Macdonald of Dunnyveg “to subscribe, within a certain limited period, assurances of indemnity to each other, under the penalty of treason. This le[ads] to a temporary suspension of hostilities between the two clans, and to the marriage of Macdonald with the sister of Maclean” [Gregory, p. 218].

1580:   1. the MacAlasdairs enter into a bond with Angus Macdonald of Dunnyveg, “which illus-trates the dependence of the family on that powerful branch of the Clan Donald” [Castleton, p. 166][17]

2. Charles, 2^nd laird & Constable of Tarbert, is granted charter of feu ferme[18] for lands of Bali- nakill from his cousin, Alexander MacAlister, the Vicar of Kilcalmonell [CMS, p. 2; Castleton, p. 166]; Hector (later 3^rd laird & Constable) is living in Tarbert Castle at this time [CMS, p. 3].

3. According to the “Origines Parochiales”, Charles M’Alister is the possessor of the Tarbert lands [Mitchell, p. 73].

4. Death of laird of Menstrie (father of William Alexander); William’s granduncle, James, is desig- nated guardian of the children and is hereafter known as the Tutor of Menstrie [Castleton, p. 173].

1581:   (20 April) Angus Macdonald of Islay "renew[s] his father's obligation by bond to John, Lord Hamil- ton.” This document "includes many names of the people inhabiting . . . the lands of Machrimore, Machribeg, and others on the west side of Arran, and Parish of Kilmorie", among them the leaders of the Clan Alasdair Beag ('Sliochd Iain Our vic Allister'), who “appear to have sought protection of Angus" [Fraser-Mackintosh, pp. 34-5].

1582:   Probable death date of Roderick, Bishop of the Isles (son of Angus vic Ean Dhù, 1^st of Loup)

1585:   1. Name appears as “Makeallyster” [Black, p. 450]

2. King James VI, now 19, assumes “more of the cares of Government than could have been expected at his age” [Gregory, p. 229].

3. Angus of Dunnyveg and his mother are engaged in negotiation with the Lord Deputy of Ireland in hopes of recovering the family lands from Sorley Buidhe. “Before, however, this treaty [i]s con- cluded, Macdonald and his mother [a]re summoned to the Scottish court; and the increasing dif- ficulties in which this chief [i]s soon after involved, thr[o]w his Irish estates entirely into the hands of Sorley Buy, from whom Angus never [i]s able to recover them” [Gregory, p. 225].

1585-7: Macdonald of Sleat and Maclean have a misunderstanding that leads to a flare-up in their feud. Angus of Dunnyveg, Maclean’s brother-in-law, attempts to mediate, but Maclean uses the situa- tion to renew his feud with Dunnyveg over the Rinns of Islay [Gregory, pp. 230-2].  “They alter-nately devastat[e] each other’s lands, pillaging, slaying, and burning. . . . Their adherents also t[ake] sides. Following the Macdonalds [a]re the Clanranald, Clanian of Ardnamurchan, Macleods of Lewis, Macneills of Gigha, Macallasters of Loup, and Macfies of Colonsay. . . . The whole of the West Highlands [i]s set aflame ” [McKerral, p. 15, emphasis mine; Gregory, pp. 234-6].

1587:   General Band [bond] of King James VI:

—“The records of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries reveal the inhabitants of [Kintyre] as a violent people. . . .  Many of the disorders [a]re caused by continuing rancours, resulting from clan feuds. . . . The Government d[oes] its best, Parliament passing in 1587, what was known as ‘The General Band’ or Bond” [Fraser, pp. 9, 16, 18]. This “very important Act of Parliament” is intended to “maintai[n] good order both on the Borders and in the Highlands and Isles. The plan on which this Act . . . chiefly proceed[s], [i]s, to make it imperative on all landlords, bailies, and chiefs of clans, to find sureties to a large amount, proportioned to their wealth and the number of their vas- sals or clansmen, for the peaceable and orderly behaviour of those under them” [Gregory, p. 237].

—Alexander MacAlester of Loup is one of the Highland landlords and bailies listed in this Act of Parliament, which requires those named to deliver hostages as a pledge against their good behaviour and the behaviour of their clansmen and other followers [MacKinnon, p. 162; “Fortiter”, Jan. 1982, p. 3; Castleton, p. 166; Fraser, p. 18].

1588:   first mention of Glenbarr family

John of Barr (“Johannes alias Ewyn Bane M’Ane M’Alexander”[19]) listed as one of those commis-sioned by James VI as judiciary against the chief of Clan Cameron “and others who had incurred the displeasure of the Government”; this is the first mention of the Glenbarr family [“Fortiter”, April 1982, p. 5; Castleton, p. 166], whose landholdings greatly increase in the late 1500s–mid-1600s [CMS, p. 21].

1589:   1. Sir James Campbell of Ardkinglas is required to sign a bond of caution for his kinsman Donald of Kilmore and Donald’s son Dougall, who “[a]re particularly aggressive and unruly, and g[i]ve much trouble to the family of Tarbert”; this is essentially a restraining order to keep them from bothering Archibald of Tarbert, his tenants, and his servants [Castleton, p. 167]. Note: Archibald is at this point the heir of Tarbert, not the laird (see 1599, #1; 1600, #1; 1602).  

2. Macdonald of Dunnyveg and Maclean are arrested in Edinburgh. They are “liberated on paying fines. . . . James Macdonald, son of Angus, [i]s retained as a hostage, and Campbell of Calder [i]s made surety for Angus Macdonald, and Campbell of Ardkinglas for Maclean.” However, less than five years later, Dunnyveg is back in rebellion [McKerral, p. 15].

1590s: Angus Macdonald of Kintyre (Dunnyveg), although chiefly residing at Lochhead, fortifies the castle of Dunaverty, “as it [i]s the principal channel of communication between him and Antrim” [New Stat. Acct.: Southend, p. 424].

1591:   1. Charter for Tarbert lands received by Godfrey, 5^th of Loup, from the Earl of Argyll [Clan, p. 204; Castleton, p. 167]. (This is the first record we have of Godfrey; he may have succeeded earlier.) He is a minor, and his inheritance thus comes under the authority of his uncle, Charles, thereafter known as the Tutor of Loup; see 1598.

2. (25 September) John dhu vic Allister vic Ranald "binds himself and them [his sons and foster son] as servants and obedient to John, Lord Hamilton" [Fraser-Mackintosh, p. 35; Castleton, p. 167]. The Kintyre MacAlasdairs have no need of this alliance, but those in Bute and Arran “occup[y] the position of a stranger sept, and such a bond [i]s expedient in a region where the heads of the House of Hamilton [a]re lords of the soil” [Castleton, p. 167]. The document tells us that Archibald Macdonald, one of the sons of Angus of Dunnyveg, is the foster son of John Mac- Alasdair of Arran [Fraser-Mackintosh, p. 35], which suggests that these MacAlasdairs [a]re close to the Dunnyveg family.

1594:   Summons of treason served on Angus Macdonald and he is forfeited [McKerral, p. 15; Gregory, p. 256]. Nonetheless, some years later he is still known as Lord of Kintyre, and in 1605 “he [i]s in actual possession of a good part of its lands . . . but probably only as a Crown tenant” [McKerral, p. 16].

1596:   Scottish government prepares a military expedition to handle the lawlessness in the Western Highlands. This leads to “the speedy subjection of all the chiefs except Angus Macdonald, so that the expedition bec[omes] one directed against him and his Kintyre vassals.” Angus’s son James is allowed to return to try to talk sense into his father, and Angus, “hoping to get better terms, . . . surrender[s] all his lands to his son” [McKerral, p. 16; Gregory, p. 265]. “This, as being the act of a man already deprived by forfeiture of all his former rights, [i]s of course not recognised by the Privy Council” [Gregory, p. 281]. Among those attesting to Angus’s letter of renunciation is Godfrey, 5^th of Loup [Castleton, p. 167].

1597:   1. "Gorrie [Godfrey] vic Allister of Lupe" and "Archibald McAllister of Crossage" are among those witnessing a Bond between Sir James MacDonald and Ronald McConnell macIain. "The witnesses [a]re all men of note" [Fraser-Mackintosh, p. 64].

2. (18 March) date of a precept of sasine[20] by which William of Menstrie is granted the Mains of Menstrie in feu by the Earl of Argyll; future grants will give him the lands and barony of Menstrie [Castleton, p. 173].

3. By this time, “Kintyre ha[s] been marked down as one of three rebellious areas of the Gaelic west requiring particular attention” [Martin, p. 1]. An Act of Parliament is passed in this year ap- proving the erection of three Royal burghs in the Highlands, though they are not in fact established at this point [Gregory, p. 277].

4. Angus of Dunnyveg is required to “find security for the arrears of the Crown rents, to remove his clan and followers from Kintyre and the Rinns of Islay, to confine himself to other parts of Islay, and to surrender the Castle of Dunnyveg to the King’s men before 20^th May” [McKerral, p. 17]. He is then allowed to return to the Isles, “in order to test his sincerity, by his performance of certain conditions. A considerable time having elapsed without the fulfilment of these conditions, his son, Sir James Macdonald, [i]s permitted to go from Court to visit him in Kintyre—it being supposed that the influence of Sir James w[ill] insure his father’s obedience.” James, however, has ideas of his own [Gregory, p. 280].

1598:   Askomil incident

            “[I]t is probable that Angus soon repented the facility with which he had stripped himself of his        

            possessions, when he found that this act was productive of no direct benefit to himself or his        

            tribe. The transaction, however, was not forgot by Sir James, who . . . now endeavour[s] to take

            the estate into his own hands, and deprive his father of all influence. A quarrel among the Macal-

            lasters of Loupe favour[s] his designs, and seems to have suggested to him the idea of procuring

            his father’s death, as if by accident. . . .” [Gregory, pp. 280-1; but see note 22, which puts a differ-

            ent light on James’s motivations]. Fraser-Mackintosh,  who puts the incident in January of 1597,

            reports that the Askomil incident began "by the desire of the Laird of Loupe, then at great enmity

            with the Tutor of Loupe who happened to be visiting Angus Macdonald at Askomell” [p. 54]; other

            sources report that Charles, the Tutor of Loup, has already been killed by Godfrey, and it is

            Charles’s sons who take refuge with MacDonald. In any case, Godfrey, along with James Mac-

Donald and several hundred armed retainers—“200–300 barbarous wikked and bludie Hieland

men”[21] according to records of the trial [Pitcairn, vol. III, p. 6]—besieges MacDonald’s house. “On refusal of Angus to surrender the Tutor or open the doors, [they] set fire to the house, to the imminent danger of those within" [Fraser-Mackintosh, p. 54; McKerral, pp. 17-18; Gregory pp. 280-1]. (The MacDonalds escape, though Angus is badly burned and is then held prisoner by his son; Castleton claims that “records are silent concerning the fate of the Tutor’s sons or their subsequent relations with their wrathful kinsman” [p. 167], but Pitcairn’s Criminal Trials suggest that nobody is actually killed in this raid [III, pp. 5-6].) James, who “now t[akes] the command of his clan, . . . conduct[s] himself with such violence in his new capacity” that in June another Royal expedition is planned to Kintyre. In the end, it does not appear to have been put into effect [Greg- ory, p. 282]; James is eventually sentenced to death for the incident (a sentence which is never carried out[22]), but Godfrey evidently escapes prosecution [Clan, p. 204; “Fortiter”, Jan. 1982, p. 3; McKerral, p. 20], despite his apparent role as instigator. . . suggesting that the object of the prosecution was more to bring down the house of Dunnyveg than simply to mete out justice.

1599:   1. Hector of Tarbert feuding with neighbours in Arran, which MacAlasdairs invade and plunder [Clan, p. 204; “Fortiter”, Feb. 1982, p. 2; Castleton, p. 167].

2. “The house and lands of Knockransay in Arran [a]re invaded and captured by the Clan Alasdair” while the laird, John Montgomery of Skelmorlie, is in the Lowlands; Montgomery’s wife and children are taken prisoner and his possessions are seized.  In redress, Alexander, son of the late Tutor of Loup, [i]s to be held by Angus of Dunnyveg in security for reparation.  “We have no information as to the punishment inflicted upon Alexander for his violence in the isle of Arran”, but he evidently never surrenders to Dunnyveg, and Montgomery—the victim!—is eventually charged with rebellion for not delivering him. Defending himself in court, Montgomery describes the Clan Alasdair as “sic unhappie people”[23] whose force was too great for him to resist [Castleton, pp. 167–8]. Note: Is this Alexander one of the Tutor’s sons involved in the Askomil fire, or is this another son?