The Clan Stewart Continued
| It is not our intention here by any means to enter into the general history of the Stewarts but simply to give a short
account of those branches of the family which were located in the Highlands, and to a certain extent were regarded as
Highland clans. With regard to the origin of the Stewarts generally, we shall content ourselves with making use of Mr
Fraser's excellent summary in the introduction to his "Red Book of Grandtully". Walter, the son of Alan or Fitz-Alan, the founder of the royal family of the Stewarts, being the first of that family who established himself in Scotland, came from Shropshire, in England. Walter's elder brother, William, was progenitor of the family of Fitz-Alan, Earls of Arundel. Their father, a Norman, married, soon |
Another account of the Stewarts... The Stewarts of Appin are a West Highland clan descended from Sir John Stewart of Bonkyl, the son of Alexander, High Steward of Scotland. His younger son, Sir James fought at Bannockburn and was eventually killed at the Battle of Halidon Hill in 1333. His grandson gained the Lordship of Lorn through marriage to the heiress. A later descendant, Sir John Stewart was murdered at Dunstaffnage castle in 1463 and his son Dugald became the first chief of Appin. He unsuccessfully tried to recover the Lordship of Lorn and was supported by the Maclarens of Balquidder. The clan fought at Flodden in 1513 and Pinkie in 1547; during the 1644-45 campaign they supported the Marquis of Montrose. Because of this the chief of Appin was outlawed and had his lands forfeited. These were later returned at the Restoration. The clan joined Dundee's campaign in 1688 and supported the Jacobites in the Risings of 1715 and 1745. After the battle of Culloden in which over 100 of the clan were killed the banner of the Appin Regiment was one of the few saved from destruction. Clan feuds with the Campbells continued even after the rebellion was quashed. Colin Roy Campbell was murdered in Appin in 1752 ; this was the famous Appin murder on which R L Stevenson based his novels "Kidnapped" and "Catriona". Since the Campbells demanded blood for this outrage, James Stewart of the Glens was hanged although clearly innocent. This was the last death in Scotland resulting from a clan feud; a cairn marks the site of his execution. Dugald, 9th chief sold Appin in 1765 and on his death was succeeded by his cousin, Duncan Stewart, 6th of Ardshiel who became 10th Chief of Appin. The chiefship remains in this line today. |