Open [36.8 MB]

14
THE CLAN DAVIDSON (CLANN DHA1BHIDH).
Clan Pipe Music: Salute "Failte Thighearna Thulaich " ("Tulloch's Salute")
Badge: Bocsa, or Craobh aighban (Boxwood); or Lus nan craimsheag,
braoileag (Red Whortleberry).
JHERE seems to lie no traditional knowledge of the individual from whom the patronymic
of this clan is derived. He bore a scriptural name, and "the offspring of
David" became numerous and powerful in Badenocb, where their possessions lay.
They distinguished themselves throughout the fourteenth century by the protracted
and sanguinary feuds which they maintained with such bravery and determination
that they were almost exterminated before they could be effectually suppressed.
The Clan Chattan was engaged in a war respecting the lands of Glenluie and Locharcaig
with the Camerons, who came down to Badenoch, about 1296, in great force.
They were met at Invernahaven, by the Macintoshes, MacPhersons, and MacDhais,
who drew up in battle array to oppose the further progress of the enemy. A dispute
now arose between the MacPhersons and the Davidsons as to which clan should lead
the right wing. Macintosh, who had the chief command, was appealed to and awarded
the point of honour to the Davidsons. Cluny, the disappointed chief, immediately withdrew his men,
and the Clan Chattan thus weakened was defeated. It is said that Macintosh sent a bard to the
camp of the MacPhersons, who recited a poem in which it was insinuated that they left the field
from cowardice, not from a sense of honour. The MacPhersons immediately attacked the Camerons
who were defeated with great slaughter. The Camerons being thus reduced, the MacDhais and
MacPhersons commenced hostilities on their own account. The former had lost their chief, Lachlan,
and seven (or nine) sons at this battle of Invernahaven, and felt indignant that the award of pre-
cedency should be disregarded ; both parties were so implacable that the Earls of Crawford and
Dunbar were sent by royal commission to quell it. As it was impossible to reconcile them, it was
arranged that thirty men on each side should be selected, armed with swords only, to decide their
claims. His Majesty Robert lit. in person being umpire. This led to the battle of the North Inch
of Perth, fought in 1396, so vividly described by Sir Walter Scott in the "Fair Maid of Perth."
One of the MacPhersons was absent, but his place was filled by a volunteer, Henry, the blacksmith
of the wynd. The result was that twenty-nine Davidsons were killed, the survivor saving himself
by swimming across the Tay. Harry, with ten desperately wounded Macphersons, remained masters
of the field. Since this epoch in the history of the clan, it has been almost lost sight of. The
beautiful estate of Tulloch in Ross-shire, is the residence of the chief, who is hereditary keeper of
the Royal Castle of Dingwall.