The Highlanders of Scotland - Clan Strachan Society

CHAP. II] OF SCOTLAND 199
earlier part of the Macdonald genealogies ; and
the MS. of
1450, without mentioning any of these kings at all, leads the
genealogy amongst the Irish kings and heroes.
Here then we have the point where the fabulous genealogies
of the Highland and Irish Sennachies zvere comiected with the
genuine history.
The MS. of 1450 is supported in its genealogy of the
Macdonalds by all other authorities up to Suibne, and here
the true history, as contained in the Irish Annals and the
genealogy of the MS., separate; the one mentions the Gallgaels
under their leaders as far back as the year 856, while the other
connects Suibne by a different genealogy altogether with the
Irish kings. It is obvious, then, that this is the point where
the Irish genealogies were connected with the real line of the
chiefs, and an examination of this MS. will shew that the
period where the genealogies of the other
connected with the Irish kings was the same.
clans were also
We may therefore
conclude, that previous to the eleventh century the MS.
of 1450, and the Irish genealogies of the Highland clans, are
of no authority whatever, and consequently, that the Siol Cuinn
is of native origin.
'
After the death of Suibne we know nothing of the history
of the clan until we come to Gille Adomnan, the grandfather
of Somerled, who, according to the fragment of an ancient
Gaelic MS., was driven out of his possession in Scotland by
the violence of the Lochlans and Fingalls, and took refuge
in Ireland. The expedition of Magnus Barefoot in 1093 is
probably here alluded to. The same authority proceeds to
inform us, that " whilst Gillebride Mac Gille Adomnan was
residing in Ireland, the descendants of Colla, consisting of the
Macquarries and Macmahones, held a great meeting and
assembly in Fermanagh, the county of Macquire, regarding
Gillebride's affairs, how they might restore to him his patrimony,
which had been abdicated from the violence of the Lochlan
and Fingalls. When Gillebride saw such a large body of the
Macquires assembled together, and that they were favourable
to his cause, he besought them to embark in his quarrel, and
to assist the people in Scotland who were favourable to him
in an attempt to win back the possession of the country. The