Scottish Clans - Clan MacInnes

SCOTTISH CLANS - MACINNES


MOTTO THROUGH THE GRACE OF GOD AND THE KING	CLAN TARTAN MACINNES MODERN HUNTING TARTAN

Not a great deal appears to be known about this West Highland clan. It is accepted that Clan MacInnes is of ancient Celtic origin. The name MacInnes is a Celtic name derived from Mac Aonghais - Gaelic for the son of Angus. The earliest reference to the sons of Angus is given in the 7th century ‘History of the men of Scotland’ Senchus fer n’Alban. The ancestors of the clan were probably among the earliest settlers of Dalriada and were said to have formed a branch of the Siol Gillebride, believed to be the original inhabitants of Morven and Ardnamurchan. Clan Maclnnes had its headquarters in the heart of Morven, and at the head of Loch Aline, which winds away into the hills from the Sound of Mull, the ruin of an old square tower is still pointed out as the ancient seat of the chiefs.

Old tradition has it that the MacInnes were promised favour by the Lord of the Isles. A later chief of the Clan MacInnes was appointed Constable of the Castle of Kinlochaline. Tradition has it that this old tower of Kinlochaline was built by a lady of the name of Dougall. This tradition is corroborated by an old saying—MacAonghais an Dun’s MacDhughil an Laorn, “Maclnnes of the Fort of MacDougall of Lorn.” The stones from which the stronghold is erected are remarkable for their size, even to the top of the wall, and it is said that the cost of the building was equal to that of a mass of butter of the same extent. Whatever the cost, the builder chose a site that was both picturesque and of great natural strength and the castle was held by a MacInnes until 1648, when it was burnt by Coll Kitto.

The clan suffered severely early in the 13th century during the conquest of Argyll by Alexander II and at about this time the clan moved under the protection of the Campbells. They supported the Covenantors against Charles I and later supported the Hanoverians against the Jacobites under the Campbells, although there also seems to have been a MacInnes appointed as Hereditary Bowmen to the chiefs of clan MacKinnon. Another group of MacInnes were also to be found as followers of the Stewarts of Ardshiel and as such supported the Jacobite struggle.

In common with many fragmented families many emigrated to Canada, New Zealand and other English-speaking countries. Of those MacInnes who emigrated, Donald MacInnes became a merchant and later Senator in Canada and Renn MacInnes became Bishop of Jerusalem in 1914.