The Highlanders of Scotland - Clan Strachan Society

CHAP. VII] OF SCOTLAND 313
Of the latter we find instances in the Macnachtans and Macleans,
of the former we can discover it in those clans whom tradition
deduces from the O'Cains, and which consist principall}' of the
Monros, Macmillans, and Buchannans. These clans, like most
of the other Highland clans, have been supposed to be derived
from the Irish, but their traditionary origin clearly points out their
connection with the tribe of Moray. According to the ancient
Sennachies, the descent of these clans is derived from certain
branches of the family of O'Cain, who are said to have come from
Fermanagh ;
but the name Cain being spelt in Gaelic Cathan, and
being the very same with Cattan, from whom clan Chattan
derives its appellation, it seems much more probable that they
derived their patronymic of " O'Cain " or " O'Cathan " from the
Cattan of clan Chattan. And more particularly when the oldest
genealogies of the Macmillans, expressly makes them a branch
of the clan Chattan. The founder of the clan Chattan is also
brought from the same part of Ireland as the Monros in the
legends of the Sennachies and the ;
identity of tradition clearly
points out a connection between the two clans. We have
already shewn this fable of the Irish origin to be untenable in
respect to the one, and it
other.
must be equally so with regard to the
CUdi Roicli.
The possessions of the Monros lie on the north side of the
Cromarty I'irth, and are known in the Highlands by the name
of " Ferrin Donald," a name derived from the progenitor Donald,
who bore the patronymic of O'Cain ; but as the}' originally
formed a part of the tribe of Moray, it seems clear that their
earliest seats must have been in that part of Moray from which
they were driven out by the Bissets. By their situation they
were naturally thrown into connection with the earls of Ross, and
they seem, accordingly,
to have followed them in the various
expeditions in which they were engaged.
The first of the Monros for whom we have distinct authority,
is George Monro of Fowlis, who is said to be mentioned in a
charter of William, earl of Sutherland, so early as the reign of
Alexander II. In the next century, the clan appears to have been
nearly cut off to a man, in a feud with the inhabitants of the