from SCOTTISH HIGHLANDERS, by Charles MacKinnon

"The Matheson were at one time one of the most powerful clans in the north, capable of bringing two thousand warriors into the field, it was said. The name MacMhathain derives from 'Mathaineach', 'the heroes'.* The clan held lands in Lochalsh as early as the time of Kenneth MacAlpin.

Like the MacRaes, the Mathesons have long been associated with the MacKenzies, both the MacKenzie and Matheson chiefs holding lands under the Earls of Ross; but whether the Mathesons are a branch of the MacKenzie clan or whether in fact the MacKenzies are an offshoot of the Mathesons is not clear.

In 1264 Cormac, the 2nd Matheson chief, is mentioned as supporting the Earl of Ross against Norse invaders. He was also constable of Eilean-Donan Castle and later, when Eilean-Donan became a MacKenzie possession, the Mathesons seem for a time to have shared the constable- ship with the MacRaes.

The clan was involved in the rising of Donald, Lord of the Isles, in 1411 and fought for the MacDonalds at Larlaw that year.

In 1427, when James 1 held a Parliament at Inverness, he promptly seized the Highland chiefs who were becoming either too powerful or too troublesome, and the Matheson chief was among those arrested, which indicates that at that time the clan was of political importance. The Matheson estates were seized by the Crown.

It is probably from this time that the Mathesons became MacKenzie followers. The clan feuded with their Glengarry neighbors, and in 1539 the Matheson chief, Donald Dhu, held Eilean-Donan against the Sleat MacDonalds. Another Matheson chief, Murdoch Buidhe, was constable of Eilean-Donan in 1570. A branch of the clan settled in Sutherland, but the Lochalsh Mathesons were the stem clan and provided the clan chiefs.

Their disappearance from the Highland scene seems to be connected with the MacKenzies, whom, like the MacRaes, they served faithfully. Both of these ancient clans, who were considerable powers in their own right, seem to have lost their lands to the MacKenzies and contented themselves thereafter by supporting the MacKenzie chiefs,who were extremely well served by them.

It is not clear how this was achieved without bloodshed. Perhaps the MacRaes and Mathesons were absorbed peacefully by marriage. In any event it makes a pleasant change from the less peaceful fate of some of the ancient clans in Argyll who got in the way of the MacDonalds and Campbells and became geographical casualties of that particular power struggle.

In 1851 Sir Alexander Matheson was able to purchase the clan estates in Lochalsh which had been forfeit since 1427. A descendant of Murdoch Buidhe, who was constable of Eilean-Donan in 1570, was recognized as chief of the clan in 1963.

As has happened in a surprising number of cases, the wheel has come full circle, and the clan has been 'restored'."

* Some believe it means "son of the bear"

Traditional Stories:

JOHN OF FERNAIG AND HIS DREAM

(More to come)

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