The Highlanders of Scotland - Clan Strachan Society

CHAP. VIII] OF SCOTLAND
pendent, but his clan was so small that he never attained any
very great power in consequence. In the disturbances in the
Isles which continued during the following century, the name
of Sir Lauchlan Mackinnon occurs v'ery frequently, and he
appears, notwithstanding the small extent of his possessions,
to have been a man of some consideration in his time. From
'
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this period they remained in the condition of the minor clans
in the Highlands, and with them took a part in all the political
events in which these clans were engaged.
Clan An Aba.
The Macnabs have been said by some to have been
but there exists a bond
Macdonalds, by others, Macgregors ;
of Man rent, dated 1606, which proves them to have been a
branch of the Mackinnons, and consequently of the Siol
Alpine. This bond was entered into between Lachlan Mackinnon,
of Strathardel, and Finlay Macnab, of Bowaine, and
narrates that "
happening to foregadder togedder with certain
of the said Finlay's friends in their rooms, in the Laird of
Glenurchay's country, and the said Lauchlan and Finlay
having come of one house and being of one surnianie and
lineage, notwithstanding the said Lauchlan and Finlay this
long time bygone oversaw their awn duties till uders in
respect of the long distance and betwixt their dwelling places,
quhairfore baith the saids now and in all time coming are
content to be bound and obleisit, with consent of their kyn
and friends, to do all sted, pleasure, assistance, and service
that lies in them ilk ane to uthers : TJie said Finlay acknozv-
ledging the said Lanchlan as ane kind chief, and of a)ie house :
and likelike the said Lauchlan to acknowledge the said Finlay
Macnab, his friend, as his special kynsman and friend."
This account of their origin is fully confirmed by the MS.
of 1450.
The Macnabs originally possessed considerable territories
lying west of Loch Tay, but having followed Lorn in the
opposition which he made to the Bruce, and having taken a
conspicuous part in that struggle, their possessions were, on
the accession of that monarch, restricted to the barony of