Clan MacDougall
Encyclopedia
Clan MacDougall is a Highland Scottish clan
consisting of the descendants of Dubgall mac Somairle
, son of Somerled
, who ruled Lorne and the Isle of Mull
in Argyll
in the 13th century. During the Wars of Scottish Independence
the MacDougalls were supporters of William Wallace
but later fought in civil war in support of the powerful Clan Comyn
, who were rivals to the throne of Scotland, against Robert the Bruce
.
traditionally associated with the lands of Argyll
and Lorne in Scotland
. Like the Clan Donald
or MacDonald and all of its MacDonald branches, the MacDougalls are also descended from Somerled
("Summer Wanderer"), also known as Lord of the Isles. Together they are referred to as the Clann Somhairle
. Furthermore they are descended maternally from both the House of Godred Crovan
and the Earls of Orkney, through Somerled's wife Ragnhildis Ólafsdóttir, daughter of Olaf I Godredsson, King of Mann and the Isles and Ingeborg Haakonsdottir daughter of Haakon Paulsson
, Earl of Orkney
. It remains uncertain if the Clann Somhairle are also descendants in some manner of the House of Ivar, but this is commonly argued.
The Clan MacDougall takes its name from Dubgall mac Somairle
, the eldest son of Somerled by Ragnhild, who, after his father's death in 1164, held most of Argyll and also islands such as the Isle of Mull
, Lismore
, Jura
, Tiree
, Coll
, Iona and many others. Likewise the Clan MacDonald of Clan Ranald
branch take their name from another of King Somerled's sons called Ranald and the head Clan Donald
take their name from Somerled's grandson and Ranald's son who was called Donald.
The Celtic Christian name Dougall, or Dugald, is derived from the Gaelic "dubh-gall", meaning "dark stranger", as distinct from the 'fionn-gall', to which the Dòmhnullaich of the Rìoghach Innse Gall were associated. Dougall's
royal descent was acknowledged by the king of Norway, and he styled himself "King of the South Isles and Lord of Lorne". His son, Duncan, and his grandson, Ewan, built castles to defend their dominions, including Dunstaffnage
, Dunollie and Duntrune on the mainland, and Aros, Cairnburgh, Dunchonnel and Coeffin
on the islands. Dunollie, a craig rising up over seventy feet, was most likely fortified as early as the sixth century and was to become the chief seat. Duncan also built Ardchattan Priory
, where the MacDougall chiefs were buried until 1737.
After Haakon IV of Norway
had been defeated by the Scottish army at the Battle of Largs
in 1263 the Clan MacDougall attacked his fleet. The Norsemen were defeated by the MacDougalls in the sea battle.
The MacDougalls were mortal enemies of the Clan Campbell
and defeated them at the Battle of Red Ford
in 1296, led by their chief Alexander MacDougall of Argyll.
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The MacDougalls were supporters of William Wallace
and King John I of Scotland but were later driven out by supporters of King Robert I of Scotland during the civil wars in Scotland which formed part of the Wars of Scottish Independence
. Two years later and Bruce led an army of three thousand men against the MacDougalls. John MacDougall of Lorne set an ambush for them but after a savage engagement the MacDougalls were broken and forced to flee. The MacDougalls lost most of their lands in Argyll
which were then passed to the Clan Campbell
for their loyalty to the King. However Clan MacDougall fought against Robert the Bruce and the Earl of Atholl
at the Battle of Dalry
in 1306 where the MacDougalls were victorious. It is said that Bruce came so close to death that he escaped only by ripping off his cloak, which had been grabbed by a MacDougall clansman. The brooch from the cloak is still in the possession of the clan. According to legend, Bruce then made his way to Rathlin, an island lying between Scotland and North East Ireland, where he hid in a cave. While there, he saw a spider repeatedly attempting to build its web, leading him to say "If at first you don't succeed, try try again." VIsitors to Rathlin can still see "Bruce's cave" and visit the remains of Bruce's castle. He returned to Scotland and the MacDougalls were defeated when they fought against him at the Battle of Pass of Brander
in 1308.
Alasdair MacDougall
married the sister of John Comyn of the Comyn
, Scotland's most powerful man. John's son, the "Red Comyn", was next in line as King of Scotland after the Balliols. However this was the time when Bruce made his bid for the Crown. Bruce slew the Red Comyn at the altar rails in Dumfries and the MacDougalls entered into the feud that ended in the utter destruction of the Clan Comyn and the loss of the MacDougalls' islands to Bruce.
and Clan MacLaren
together defeated the Clan MacDougall at the Battle of Stalc, which took place opposite Castle Stalker
.
and in 1645 chief Alexander MacDougall led five hundred of his men into battle. After the defeat of James Graham, 1st Marquess of Montrose
a Covenanting army under David Leslie was sent to Argyll to deal with the royalist sympathisers. When the Stuart
monarchy was restored so were the MacDougall lands.
cause in 1715 and fought at the Battle of Sheriffmuir
which the Jacobites lost. The MacDougall chief was forced into exile but later returned to Scotland
to live as a fugitive
. He was pardoned in 1727.
His son and next chief, Alexander MacDougall did not take part in the Jacobite Uprisings of 1745 to 1746. Although his brother and some of the clansmen did indeed fight as Jacobites at the Battle of Culloden
in 1746. The fighting force of the clan at this time is given as 200 men.
The principle collateral branches of the MacDougalls of Dunollie (also spelt, Dunolly), are those of Gallanach and Soraba (now spelt, Soroba). Of the former, MacDougall of Gallanach, was established as a Cadet of the Clan in 1641 when John MacDougall of Torsay was granted the Estate by Alexander MacDougall, 18th of Dunollie. Ownership has remained in the same family since but has passed only male firstly in 1888 and again in 1935 due to the rules of the Macdougall. However, a lineal male descendant of Allan MacDougall (6th Laird of Gallanach from 1793 to 1799), Malcolm Peters MacDougall, currently lives in SW France and has 2 sons and 1 daughter. The Estate of Gallanach passed from Allan MacDougall to his younger brother Patrick in 1799 from whom the current owner, Simon MacDougall, is descended. Jane Patten (née MacDougall), 11th of Gallanach and granddaughter of Patrick, requested that all future family members who became owners of the property should adopt the surname of MacDougall, this being first done by her eldest son, Sir James Patten MacDougall KCB in the late 19th century and again in the mid 20th century by her great-grandson, Major James Williamson MacDougall MC., both with the permission of the Lord Lyon.
The principle cadet branch of the Clan was MacDougall of Raray and Ardmaddie (spelt variously as, Raera, Reray and Rara), or Craigenicht, Ardnahoy and Lunga. The male line of the MacDougalls of Lunga became extinct with the deaths of Lt.-Col. Stewart MacDougall (1915) and his son, Iain MacDougall of Lunga Adj. 2nd Batt. Grenadier Guards, the previous year. (The Lunga estate was inherited by Lt. Col. MacDougall's eldest daughter Helen Margaret MacDougall, who married Major Francis Howard Lindsay and whose son, John Stewart Lindsay adopted the surname Lindsay-MacDougall). Lt. Col. MacDougall had four male first cousins, however.
In the event of the failure of the line of Lunga (or any of its collateral branches), the MacDougalls of Raray are represented by another branch, that of Coll of Ardencaple a son of John (IV) of Raray and Ardmaddie. Allan MacDougall sold the estate of Ardincaple in 1877, it having been five hundred
years tradition says eight in the possession of his forefathers. He succeeded his father, Rear-Admiral John MacDougall, of Ardencaple (died 1870), a Captain Commandant of the 1st Easdale Argyll Artillery Volunteers.
Of the MacDougalls of Soraba there is little known.
The following chiefs are MacDougalls through lineal male descent: Matthew MacDougall of MacDougall, Chief of Clan MacDougall. Simon MacDougall,
Chiefs arms: Quartered in these arms are two ancient royal emblems, the Black Galley of Lorn symbolizing descent from the royal house of the Norse and the lion symbolic of the descent from the Scottish Kings of ancient Dal Riada.
Castles owned by the MacDougalls have included:
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Scottish clan
Scottish clans , give a sense of identity and shared descent to people in Scotland and to their relations throughout the world, with a formal structure of Clan Chiefs recognised by the court of the Lord Lyon, King of Arms which acts as an authority concerning matters of heraldry and Coat of Arms...
consisting of the descendants of Dubgall mac Somairle
Dubgall mac Somairle
Dubgall mac Somairle was a 12th century Scottish nobleman...
, son of Somerled
Somerled
Somerled was a military and political leader of the Scottish Isles in the 12th century who was known in Gaelic as rí Innse Gall . His father was Gillebride...
, who ruled Lorne and the Isle of Mull
Isle of Mull
The Isle of Mull or simply Mull is the second largest island of the Inner Hebrides, off the west coast of Scotland in the council area of Argyll and Bute....
in Argyll
Argyll
Argyll , archaically Argyle , is a region of western Scotland corresponding with most of the part of ancient Dál Riata that was located on the island of Great Britain, and in a historical context can be used to mean the entire western coast between the Mull of Kintyre and Cape Wrath...
in the 13th century. During the Wars of Scottish Independence
Wars of Scottish Independence
The Wars of Scottish Independence were a series of military campaigns fought between the independent Kingdom of Scotland and the Kingdom of England in the late 13th and early 14th centuries....
the MacDougalls were supporters of William Wallace
William Wallace
Sir William Wallace was a Scottish knight and landowner who became one of the main leaders during the Wars of Scottish Independence....
but later fought in civil war in support of the powerful Clan Comyn
Clan Cumming
Clan Cumming, also known as Clan Comyn, is a Scottish clan from the central Highlands that played a major role in the history of 13th century Scotland and in the Wars of Scottish Independence and were instrumental in defeating the English at the Battle of Roslin in 1303...
, who were rivals to the throne of Scotland, against Robert the Bruce
Robert I of Scotland
Robert I , popularly known as Robert the Bruce , was King of Scots from March 25, 1306, until his death in 1329.His paternal ancestors were of Scoto-Norman heritage , and...
.
Origins
Clan MacDougall is a Scottish clanScottish clan
Scottish clans , give a sense of identity and shared descent to people in Scotland and to their relations throughout the world, with a formal structure of Clan Chiefs recognised by the court of the Lord Lyon, King of Arms which acts as an authority concerning matters of heraldry and Coat of Arms...
traditionally associated with the lands of Argyll
Argyll
Argyll , archaically Argyle , is a region of western Scotland corresponding with most of the part of ancient Dál Riata that was located on the island of Great Britain, and in a historical context can be used to mean the entire western coast between the Mull of Kintyre and Cape Wrath...
and Lorne in Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
. Like the Clan Donald
Clan Donald
Clan Donald is one of the largest Scottish clans. There are numerous branches to the clan. Several of these have chiefs recognised by the Lord Lyon King of Arms; these are: Clan Macdonald of Sleat, Clan Macdonald of Clanranald, Clan MacDonell of Glengarry, Clan MacDonald of Keppoch, and Clan...
or MacDonald and all of its MacDonald branches, the MacDougalls are also descended from Somerled
Somerled
Somerled was a military and political leader of the Scottish Isles in the 12th century who was known in Gaelic as rí Innse Gall . His father was Gillebride...
("Summer Wanderer"), also known as Lord of the Isles. Together they are referred to as the Clann Somhairle
Clann Somhairle
Clann Somhairle refers to those Scottish and Irish dynasties descending from the famous Norse-Gaelic leader Somerled, King of Mann and the Isles. Primarily they are the Clan Donald, formerly known as the Lord of the Isles, and the mainland Clan MacDougall, and all their numerous branches...
. Furthermore they are descended maternally from both the House of Godred Crovan
Godred Crovan
Godred Crovan was a Norse-Gael ruler of Dublin, and King of Mann and the Isles in the second half of the 11th century. Godred's epithet Crovan may mean "white hand" . In Manx folklore he is known as King Orry.-Ancestry and early life:...
and the Earls of Orkney, through Somerled's wife Ragnhildis Ólafsdóttir, daughter of Olaf I Godredsson, King of Mann and the Isles and Ingeborg Haakonsdottir daughter of Haakon Paulsson
Haakon Paulsson
Haakon Paulsson was a Norwegian Jarl and jointly ruled the Earldom of Orkney together with his cousin Magnus Erlendsson....
, Earl of Orkney
Earl of Orkney
The Earl of Orkney was originally a Norse jarl ruling Orkney, Shetland and parts of Caithness and Sutherland. The Earls were periodically subject to the kings of Norway for the Northern Isles, and later also to the kings of Alba for those parts of their territory in mainland Scotland . The Earl's...
. It remains uncertain if the Clann Somhairle are also descendants in some manner of the House of Ivar, but this is commonly argued.
The Clan MacDougall takes its name from Dubgall mac Somairle
Dubgall mac Somairle
Dubgall mac Somairle was a 12th century Scottish nobleman...
, the eldest son of Somerled by Ragnhild, who, after his father's death in 1164, held most of Argyll and also islands such as the Isle of Mull
Isle of Mull
The Isle of Mull or simply Mull is the second largest island of the Inner Hebrides, off the west coast of Scotland in the council area of Argyll and Bute....
, Lismore
Lismore, Scotland
Lismore is a partially Gaelic speaking island in the Inner Hebrides of Scotland. This fertile, low-lying island was once a major centre of Celtic Christianity, with a monastery founded by Saint Moluag and the seat of the Bishop of Argyll.-Geography:...
, Jura
Jura, Scotland
Jura is an island in the Inner Hebrides of Scotland, situated adjacent and to the north-east of Islay. Part of the island is designated as a National Scenic Area. Until the twentieth century Jura was dominated - and most of it was eventually owned - by the Campbell clan of Inveraray Castle on Loch...
, Tiree
Tiree
-History:Tiree is known for the 1st century BC Dùn Mòr broch, for the prehistoric carved Ringing Stone and for the birds of the Ceann a' Mhara headland....
, Coll
Coll
Coll is a small island, west of Mull in the Inner Hebrides of Scotland. Coll is known for its sandy beaches, which rise to form large sand dunes, for its corncrakes, and for Breachacha Castle.-Geography and geology:...
, Iona and many others. Likewise the Clan MacDonald of Clan Ranald
Clan MacDonald of Clan Ranald
Clan Macdonald of Clanranald is a Scottish clan and a branch of Clan Donald one of the largest Scottish clans. The founder of the Macdonalds of Clanranald is Reginald, 4th great-grandson of Somerled. The Macdonalds of Clanranald descend from Reginald's elder son Allan and the MacDonells of...
branch take their name from another of King Somerled's sons called Ranald and the head Clan Donald
Clan Donald
Clan Donald is one of the largest Scottish clans. There are numerous branches to the clan. Several of these have chiefs recognised by the Lord Lyon King of Arms; these are: Clan Macdonald of Sleat, Clan Macdonald of Clanranald, Clan MacDonell of Glengarry, Clan MacDonald of Keppoch, and Clan...
take their name from Somerled's grandson and Ranald's son who was called Donald.
The Celtic Christian name Dougall, or Dugald, is derived from the Gaelic "dubh-gall", meaning "dark stranger", as distinct from the 'fionn-gall', to which the Dòmhnullaich of the Rìoghach Innse Gall were associated. Dougall's
Dubgall mac Somairle
Dubgall mac Somairle was a 12th century Scottish nobleman...
royal descent was acknowledged by the king of Norway, and he styled himself "King of the South Isles and Lord of Lorne". His son, Duncan, and his grandson, Ewan, built castles to defend their dominions, including Dunstaffnage
Dunstaffnage
Dunstaffnage can refer to:* Dunbeg, the village formerly known as Dunstaffnage* Dunstaffnage Castle...
, Dunollie and Duntrune on the mainland, and Aros, Cairnburgh, Dunchonnel and Coeffin
Coeffin
Castle Coeffin is a ruin on the island of Lismore, an island in Loch Linnhe, in Argyll, on the west coast of Scotland. It stands on a promontory on the north-west coast of the island, across Loch Linnhe from Glensanda, at .-History:...
on the islands. Dunollie, a craig rising up over seventy feet, was most likely fortified as early as the sixth century and was to become the chief seat. Duncan also built Ardchattan Priory
Ardchattan
Ardchattan and Muckairn is a civil parish within Argyll and Bute in Scotland. It lies north of Oban, bordering Loch Etive and includes Glen Ure, Glen Creran, Barcaldine, Benderloch, Connel, Bonawe and Glen Etive. At the 2001 census, it had a population of 2,443...
, where the MacDougall chiefs were buried until 1737.
After Haakon IV of Norway
Haakon IV of Norway
Haakon Haakonarson , also called Haakon the Old, was king of Norway from 1217 to 1263. Under his rule, medieval Norway reached its peak....
had been defeated by the Scottish army at the Battle of Largs
Battle of Largs
The Battle of Largs was an engagement fought between the armies of Norway and Scotland near the present-day town of Largs in North Ayrshire on the Firth of Clyde in Scotland on 2 October 1263. It was the most important military engagement of the Scottish-Norwegian War. The Norwegian forces were...
in 1263 the Clan MacDougall attacked his fleet. The Norsemen were defeated by the MacDougalls in the sea battle.
The MacDougalls were mortal enemies of the Clan Campbell
Clan Campbell
Clan Campbell is a Highland Scottish clan. Historically one of the largest, most powerful and most successful of the Highland clans, their lands were in Argyll and the chief of the clan became the Earl and later Duke of Argyll.-Origins:...
and defeated them at the Battle of Red Ford
Battle of Red Ford
The Battle of Red Ford or Battle of the String of Lorne was a battle in 1294 between Clan Campbell and Clan MacDougall in Lorne, Scotland. The battle was fought over disputed lands. It ended in defeat of the Clan Campbell of Lochawe...
in 1296, led by their chief Alexander MacDougall of Argyll.
Wars of Scottish Independence
William Wallace
Sir William Wallace was a Scottish knight and landowner who became one of the main leaders during the Wars of Scottish Independence....
and King John I of Scotland but were later driven out by supporters of King Robert I of Scotland during the civil wars in Scotland which formed part of the Wars of Scottish Independence
Wars of Scottish Independence
The Wars of Scottish Independence were a series of military campaigns fought between the independent Kingdom of Scotland and the Kingdom of England in the late 13th and early 14th centuries....
. Two years later and Bruce led an army of three thousand men against the MacDougalls. John MacDougall of Lorne set an ambush for them but after a savage engagement the MacDougalls were broken and forced to flee. The MacDougalls lost most of their lands in Argyll
Argyll
Argyll , archaically Argyle , is a region of western Scotland corresponding with most of the part of ancient Dál Riata that was located on the island of Great Britain, and in a historical context can be used to mean the entire western coast between the Mull of Kintyre and Cape Wrath...
which were then passed to the Clan Campbell
Clan Campbell
Clan Campbell is a Highland Scottish clan. Historically one of the largest, most powerful and most successful of the Highland clans, their lands were in Argyll and the chief of the clan became the Earl and later Duke of Argyll.-Origins:...
for their loyalty to the King. However Clan MacDougall fought against Robert the Bruce and the Earl of Atholl
Earl of Atholl
The Mormaer of Earl of Atholl refers to a medieval comital lordship straddling the highland province of Atholl , now in northern Perthshire. Atholl is a special Mormaerdom, because a King of Atholl is reported from the Pictish period. The only other two Pictish kingdoms to be known from...
at the Battle of Dalry
Battle of Dalry
The Battle of Dalrigh, also known as the Battle of Dail Righ, Battle of Dalry or Battle of Strathfillan, was fought in the summer of 1306 between the army of King Robert I of Scotland against the Clan MacDougall of Argyll who were allies of Clan Comyn and the English...
in 1306 where the MacDougalls were victorious. It is said that Bruce came so close to death that he escaped only by ripping off his cloak, which had been grabbed by a MacDougall clansman. The brooch from the cloak is still in the possession of the clan. According to legend, Bruce then made his way to Rathlin, an island lying between Scotland and North East Ireland, where he hid in a cave. While there, he saw a spider repeatedly attempting to build its web, leading him to say "If at first you don't succeed, try try again." VIsitors to Rathlin can still see "Bruce's cave" and visit the remains of Bruce's castle. He returned to Scotland and the MacDougalls were defeated when they fought against him at the Battle of Pass of Brander
Battle of Pass of Brander
The Battle of the Pass of Brander in Scotland forms a small part of the wider struggle known as the Wars of Scottish Independence, and a large part of the civil war between the Bruce and Balliol factions, a parallel and overlapping conflict...
in 1308.
Alasdair MacDougall
Alexander of Argyll
Alexander of Argyll or Alexander of Lorne, also known as Alexander MacDougall , was a Scottish magnate from the late 13th and early 14th century, and was chief of Clan MacDougall. Alexander was the son of Ewen MacDougall, Lord of Argyll...
married the sister of John Comyn of the Comyn
Clan Cumming
Clan Cumming, also known as Clan Comyn, is a Scottish clan from the central Highlands that played a major role in the history of 13th century Scotland and in the Wars of Scottish Independence and were instrumental in defeating the English at the Battle of Roslin in 1303...
, Scotland's most powerful man. John's son, the "Red Comyn", was next in line as King of Scotland after the Balliols. However this was the time when Bruce made his bid for the Crown. Bruce slew the Red Comyn at the altar rails in Dumfries and the MacDougalls entered into the feud that ended in the utter destruction of the Clan Comyn and the loss of the MacDougalls' islands to Bruce.
15th century and clan conflicts
In 1463 Sir John Stewart was circumcised outside of a church just as he was about to marry his MacLaren wife. He was circumcised by Alan MacCoul, an ally of the Clan MacDougall. However his circumcision was avenged in 1468 when the Clan StuartClan Stuart
Clan Stewart is a Highland Scottish clan. The clan is recognised by Court of the Lord Lyon, however it does not have a clan chief recognised by the Lord Lyon King of Arms...
and Clan MacLaren
Clan MacLaren
Clan MacLaren is a Highland Scottish clan.-History:-Origins:The origins of the clan are uncertain, but by tradition the MacLarens are descended from Loarn mac Eirc of Dál Riata, who landed in & settled Argyll in 503 A.D. The clan name is supposedly derived from Lorn ; these variations are all...
together defeated the Clan MacDougall at the Battle of Stalc, which took place opposite Castle Stalker
Castle Stalker
Castle Stalker is a four-storey tower house or keep picturesquely set on a tidal islet on Loch Laich, an inlet off Loch Linnhe. It is located about north east of Port Appin, Argyll, Scotland, and is visible from the A828 road around mid-way between Oban and Glen Coe. The islet is accessible from...
.
17th century and Civil War
In the 17th century during the Civil War the Clan MacDougall were generally RoyalistCavalier
Cavalier was the name used by Parliamentarians for a Royalist supporter of King Charles I and son Charles II during the English Civil War, the Interregnum, and the Restoration...
and in 1645 chief Alexander MacDougall led five hundred of his men into battle. After the defeat of James Graham, 1st Marquess of Montrose
James Graham, 1st Marquess of Montrose
James Graham, 1st Marquess of Montrose was a Scottish nobleman and soldier, who initially joined the Covenanters in the Wars of the Three Kingdoms, but subsequently supported King Charles I as the English Civil War developed...
a Covenanting army under David Leslie was sent to Argyll to deal with the royalist sympathisers. When the Stuart
House of Stuart
The House of Stuart is a European royal house. Founded by Robert II of Scotland, the Stewarts first became monarchs of the Kingdom of Scotland during the late 14th century, and subsequently held the position of the Kings of Great Britain and Ireland...
monarchy was restored so were the MacDougall lands.
18th century and Jacobite uprisings
In the 18th century during the Jacobite Risings the Clan MacDougall supported the JacobiteJacobitism
Jacobitism was the political movement in Britain dedicated to the restoration of the Stuart kings to the thrones of England, Scotland, later the Kingdom of Great Britain, and the Kingdom of Ireland...
cause in 1715 and fought at the Battle of Sheriffmuir
Battle of Sheriffmuir
The Battle of Sheriffmuir was an engagement in 1715 at the height of the Jacobite rebellion in England and Scotland.-History:John Erskine, 6th Earl of Mar, standard-bearer for the Jacobite cause in Scotland, mustered Highland chiefs, and on 6 September declared James Francis Edward Stuart as King...
which the Jacobites lost. The MacDougall chief was forced into exile but later returned to Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
to live as a fugitive
Fugitive
A fugitive is a person who is fleeing from custody, whether it be from private slavery, a government arrest, government or non-government questioning, vigilante violence, or outraged private individuals...
. He was pardoned in 1727.
His son and next chief, Alexander MacDougall did not take part in the Jacobite Uprisings of 1745 to 1746. Although his brother and some of the clansmen did indeed fight as Jacobites at the Battle of Culloden
Battle of Culloden
The Battle of Culloden was the final confrontation of the 1745 Jacobite Rising. Taking place on 16 April 1746, the battle pitted the Jacobite forces of Charles Edward Stuart against an army commanded by William Augustus, Duke of Cumberland, loyal to the British government...
in 1746. The fighting force of the clan at this time is given as 200 men.
Chief
The current chief of the clan is Matthew MacDougall-Marshall of MacDougall. The Chieftaincy of a Gaelic clan now usually follows the principle of agnatic seniority. The present holder is a brother of his predecessor, Simon MacDougall-Marshall of MacDougall,The principle collateral branches of the MacDougalls of Dunollie (also spelt, Dunolly), are those of Gallanach and Soraba (now spelt, Soroba). Of the former, MacDougall of Gallanach, was established as a Cadet of the Clan in 1641 when John MacDougall of Torsay was granted the Estate by Alexander MacDougall, 18th of Dunollie. Ownership has remained in the same family since but has passed only male firstly in 1888 and again in 1935 due to the rules of the Macdougall. However, a lineal male descendant of Allan MacDougall (6th Laird of Gallanach from 1793 to 1799), Malcolm Peters MacDougall, currently lives in SW France and has 2 sons and 1 daughter. The Estate of Gallanach passed from Allan MacDougall to his younger brother Patrick in 1799 from whom the current owner, Simon MacDougall, is descended. Jane Patten (née MacDougall), 11th of Gallanach and granddaughter of Patrick, requested that all future family members who became owners of the property should adopt the surname of MacDougall, this being first done by her eldest son, Sir James Patten MacDougall KCB in the late 19th century and again in the mid 20th century by her great-grandson, Major James Williamson MacDougall MC., both with the permission of the Lord Lyon.
The principle cadet branch of the Clan was MacDougall of Raray and Ardmaddie (spelt variously as, Raera, Reray and Rara), or Craigenicht, Ardnahoy and Lunga. The male line of the MacDougalls of Lunga became extinct with the deaths of Lt.-Col. Stewart MacDougall (1915) and his son, Iain MacDougall of Lunga Adj. 2nd Batt. Grenadier Guards, the previous year. (The Lunga estate was inherited by Lt. Col. MacDougall's eldest daughter Helen Margaret MacDougall, who married Major Francis Howard Lindsay and whose son, John Stewart Lindsay adopted the surname Lindsay-MacDougall). Lt. Col. MacDougall had four male first cousins, however.
In the event of the failure of the line of Lunga (or any of its collateral branches), the MacDougalls of Raray are represented by another branch, that of Coll of Ardencaple a son of John (IV) of Raray and Ardmaddie. Allan MacDougall sold the estate of Ardincaple in 1877, it having been five hundred
years tradition says eight in the possession of his forefathers. He succeeded his father, Rear-Admiral John MacDougall, of Ardencaple (died 1870), a Captain Commandant of the 1st Easdale Argyll Artillery Volunteers.
Of the MacDougalls of Soraba there is little known.
The following chiefs are MacDougalls through lineal male descent: Matthew MacDougall of MacDougall, Chief of Clan MacDougall. Simon MacDougall,
Chiefs arms: Quartered in these arms are two ancient royal emblems, the Black Galley of Lorn symbolizing descent from the royal house of the Norse and the lion symbolic of the descent from the Scottish Kings of ancient Dal Riada.
Castles
- Dunollie CastleDunollie CastleDunollie Castle is a small ruin located on a hill north of the town of Oban, on the west coast Scotland. It commands a view of the town, harbour and, outlying isles. The ruin is accessible by a short, steep path. There is no entrance fee, there is a small layby at the foot of the hill...
, ArgyllArgyllArgyll , archaically Argyle , is a region of western Scotland corresponding with most of the part of ancient Dál Riata that was located on the island of Great Britain, and in a historical context can be used to mean the entire western coast between the Mull of Kintyre and Cape Wrath...
, ScotlandScotlandScotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
The current MacDougall clan seat. - Dunstaffnage CastleDunstaffnage CastleDunstaffnage Castle is a partially ruined castle in Argyll and Bute, western Scotland. It lies N.N.E. of Oban, situated on a platform of conglomerate rock on a promontory at the south-west of the entrance to Loch Etive, and is surrounded on three sides by the sea.The castle dates back to the 13th...
Once the MacDougall clan seat. - Duntrune CastleDuntrune CastleDuntrune Castle is located on the north side of Loch Crinan and across from the village of Crinan in Argyll, Scotland. It is thought to be the oldest continuously occupied castle in Scotland...
Besieged by the rival Clan MacDonaldClan DonaldClan Donald is one of the largest Scottish clans. There are numerous branches to the clan. Several of these have chiefs recognised by the Lord Lyon King of Arms; these are: Clan Macdonald of Sleat, Clan Macdonald of Clanranald, Clan MacDonell of Glengarry, Clan MacDonald of Keppoch, and Clan...
and later taken by the Clan CampbellClan CampbellClan Campbell is a Highland Scottish clan. Historically one of the largest, most powerful and most successful of the Highland clans, their lands were in Argyll and the chief of the clan became the Earl and later Duke of Argyll.-Origins:...
. - Gylen CastleGylen CastleGylen Castle, on the southern part of the island of Kerrera in Argyll and Bute, juts dramatically into the sky on the tip of a promontory overlooking the Firth of Lorne.-History:...
was destroyed by Covenanters under General Leslie in 1647 during the Civil War. - Castle StalkerCastle StalkerCastle Stalker is a four-storey tower house or keep picturesquely set on a tidal islet on Loch Laich, an inlet off Loch Linnhe. It is located about north east of Port Appin, Argyll, Scotland, and is visible from the A828 road around mid-way between Oban and Glen Coe. The islet is accessible from...
originally owned by the MacDougalls, it passed to the StewartsHouse of StuartThe House of Stuart is a European royal house. Founded by Robert II of Scotland, the Stewarts first became monarchs of the Kingdom of Scotland during the late 14th century, and subsequently held the position of the Kings of Great Britain and Ireland...
and then the Clan CampbellClan CampbellClan Campbell is a Highland Scottish clan. Historically one of the largest, most powerful and most successful of the Highland clans, their lands were in Argyll and the chief of the clan became the Earl and later Duke of Argyll.-Origins:...
.
Lords
- Dugald, son of Somerled
- Dugald Screech and Donnchad of Argyll (died 1237x1248) (and perhaps Uspak), sons of Dugald
- Eóghan MacDubhgall, son of Dugald (died 1268x1275)
- Alexander of ArgyllAlexander of ArgyllAlexander of Argyll or Alexander of Lorne, also known as Alexander MacDougall , was a Scottish magnate from the late 13th and early 14th century, and was chief of Clan MacDougall. Alexander was the son of Ewen MacDougall, Lord of Argyll...
, son of Eoghan (died 1310x1311, perhaps at Carlisle), married a daughter of John Comyn, driven from Scotland by Robert BruceRobert I of ScotlandRobert I , popularly known as Robert the Bruce , was King of Scots from March 25, 1306, until his death in 1329.His paternal ancestors were of Scoto-Norman heritage , and...
and his allies; his sister Mary married Magnus OlafssonMagnus III of the Isle of ManMagnús Óláfsson was a mid 13th century Manx-Hebridean king, the son of Óláfr Guðrøðarson, King of the Isles. Magnús and Óláfr descended from a long line of Norse-Gaelic kings who ruled the Isle of Mann and parts of the Hebrides. Several leading members of the Crovan dynasty, such as Óláfr, styled...
, King of MannKing of MannThe King of Mann was the title taken between 1237 and 1504 by the various rulers, both sovereign and suzerain, over the Kingdom of Mann – the Isle of Man which is located in the Irish Sea, at the centre of the British Isles....
and, on Magnus's death, remarried with Maol ÍosaMaol Íosa II, Earl of StrathearnMaol Íosa II of Strathearn who ruled Strathearn 1245–1271, is the fifth known Mormaer of Strathearn, but of course this is simply a source problem and in no way means that he actually was the fifth....
, Mormaer of Strathearn - John of Lorne, son of Alexander (died on pilgrimagePilgrimageA pilgrimage is a journey or search of great moral or spiritual significance. Typically, it is a journey to a shrine or other location of importance to a person's beliefs and faith...
to CanterburyCanterburyCanterbury is a historic English cathedral city, which lies at the heart of the City of Canterbury, a district of Kent in South East England. It lies on the River Stour....
, September 1317), enemy of Bruce and Bruce's ally Angus Óg of IslayAngus Og of IslayAonghas Óg MacDomhnaill was the son of Aonghas Mór MacDomhnaill. As Lord of Islay and chief of Clan Donald, he was a Hebridean nobleman who participated in the Wars of Scottish Independence.-Biography:...
, defeated and driven into exile
Tartans
- MacDougall (Modern)
- MacDougall (Ancient)
- MacDougall (Dress)
External links
- www.clanmacdougall.co.uk - Clan MacDougall Society of Great Britain, Éire, Europe
- www.macdougall.org - Clan MacDougall Society of North America