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THE CLAN MACLEAN OF DUART.
Clan Pipe Music. Gathering "Caismeachd Eachainn Mhic Ailein nan Sop "
(" MacLean's Gathering ").
Badge : Cuileann (Holly).
HE ancient Sennachies hare asserted that the surname of MacLean was originally
MacGilliau, derived from a famous Celtic warrior who was known as Gillian-nan-
Tuagh, or of the battle axe, which his descendants use as their crest to thia day
between a laurel and cypress branch.
This powerful and numerous chin has been seated in the Island of Mull from a very
remote period, but did not appear, like several others, as an independent one till the
forfeiture of the Lord of the Isles in 1476 ; though, of course, as vassals of these
princes they existed long under chiefs of their own. Their genealogy deduces
them from Gilleain, the son of Jerath.
The Castle of Duart, so called, occupies the verge of a high cliff on the coast of
Mull. It is of great antiquity, and is a square tower with walls of enormous thickness.
Two buildings of more recent date, one of which was occupied as a garrison in
the last century, connected by a high wall with the keep, form an oblong square of 120 by 72 feet.
Among the list of the slain at Flodden, Or Abercrombie (" Martial Achievements, etc.") gives the
name of Hector MacLean of Duart.
Lachlan Cattanach MacLean of Duart married Lady Elizabeth, a daughter of Archibald, Earl of
Argyle, who fell at Flodden leading the vanguard ; and she was the heroine of that story connected
with " The Lady's Rock," which lies between Lismore and the coast of Mull. Lachlan resolved to
get rid of his wife ; he caused her to be exposed on the rock, which was only visible at low water,
intending that she should be swept away by the return of the tide. From this situation the intended
victim was rescued by a boat passing, and conveyed to her brother's house. Her relations smothered
their resentment for a time, but only to break out afterwards with greater violence ; for Dnart, being
in Edinburgh, was surprised when in bed, and assassinated by Sir John Campbell of Calder, the
lady's brother.
In 1536 Hector MacLean, then of Duart, with Keppoch and others, signed a bond of Manrent
" vitht my hand at the pen," to George, Earl of Huntly, at the castle of that name (Spald. Club
Miscell. iv.).
In 1579 Hector MacLean of Coll complained to the Council that he had been " utterlie wrakkit '
by Lachlan MacLean of Duart, who had captured his castle and destroyed its plenishing ; for which
Lachlan was summoned to appear within six days, or be put to the horn. He prosecuted a feud with
he was accused of causing to " strek the heid from Hector MacLean Allan-
MacDonald of Duny vag ;
son ;" of imprisoning Donald MacLean in Carnbulg ; and of having nine " maist honest men " and
two women murdered at his instance in the Isle of Gigha.
Lachlan of Duart was afterwards knighted, and proved himself a gallant soldier at the battle of
Glenlivat in 1594. In 1598 he fought in the dreadful clan battle of Lochgruinard against the Mac-
Donalds of Islay, which he wished to conquer, when he was
"
slain, courageously fighting with 80 of
the principal men of his kin, and 200 common soldiers lying dead about him. His son, Lachlan
Barroch MacLean, waa chased with the rest of his men even to their boats and vessels." The battle
of Benbigger followed, in which the MacDonalds were almost cut off by the MacLeans and three other
clans, acting under the orders of James VI.
In 1632 Lachlan MacLean of Duart was created a baronet of Nova Scotia by Charles I., to whom
he waa zealously attached, and in whose cause he participated in all the triumphs of Montrose. He
died in 1649, and was ucceedd by his son Hector, who fell at the battle of Inverkeithing in 1651.
The title devolved upon his brother, Alan, who died in 1674, and was succeeded by his only son, Sir
John, who raised the clan at the Revolution, and joining Viscount Dundee, fought at the victorious
battle of Killiecrankie. In 1715 he unfurled the standard of loyalty again, and joining the Earl of
Mar, fonght at Sheriffmuir. By his wife Mary, daughter of Angus MacPherson of Essick, he left a
son, Sir Hector, who was apprehended in Edinburgh in 1745 on suspicion of being in the French
service and enlisting men for it. He was conveyed to London, and kept there a prisoner for two
years, till the Act of Grace was passed. In 1745 the clan could muster 500 claymores. They were in
the first line at Culloden under the Duke of Perth.
in 1776. Two of the clan attained military rank in the service f Portugal. Colonel MacLean, who
had served in the army of that country from 1763, was in 1773, appointed General-in-Chief and
Governor of Lisbon. He had previously been Governor of Almeida and the whole province of Beira.
In the same year Lientenant-General MacLean succeeded Don Jose A. Francis Lobo, Count of Oriolo,
bti?e W^ort^ioWeT 5 Eatremadura ' the first militar y honour in the kingdom ever given to any