Show notes
The fall of the Lordship of the Isles didn't just fracture a clan — it set off a centuries-long story of survival, rivalry, and extinction. In Part 2, we continue our deep dive into the independent branches that emerged from the ruins of Clan Donald, focusing on four clans that carved out their own identities and legacies — and honoring the branches that didn't survive into the modern era.
If you haven't listened to Part 1 yet, start there — we lay the groundwork with the history of the Lordship, its forfeiture in 1493, and an introduction to the major branches of Clan Donald.
The Branches Covered in This Episode:
🗡️ MacDonalds of Keppoch — Based in Lochaber, the Keppoch MacDonalds were notorious for holding their lands by the sword rather than by legal title. They remained a powerful and combative force in the Highlands well into the 18th century, fighting at Killiecrankie and Culloden.
🗡️ MacDonalds of Glencoe — A small branch descended from Iain Abrach, the MacDonalds of Glencoe are best known today as the victims of the 1692 Massacre of Glencoe, one of the most notorious acts of betrayal in Scottish history.
🗡️ MacDonalds of Largie (Kintyre) — Descended from the ancient line holding Kintyre, the Largie branch maintained a presence in one of the most historically significant territories of the old Lordship of the Isles.
🗡️ Clan Donald of Dunyveg — Also known as Clan Ian Mòr, this branch dominated Kintyre and Islay and had deep ties to the MacDonnells of Antrim in Ulster, making them a major force in Gaelic Scotland and Ireland.
⚔️ Honorable Mentions — The Lost Branches:
- MacIain of Ardnamurchan — Once powerful, this branch was ultimately destroyed, its chiefs killed and lands forfeited in the early 16th century.
- MacDonald of Islay — Holders of the ancient heartland of the Lordship, this branch dwindled and eventually disappeared from the historical record.
- MacDonald of Lochalsh — Claimants to the Lordship itself, this branch was extinguished through conflict and forfeiture in the late 15th and early 16th centuries.
Missed Part 1?Catch up on the history of the Lordship of the Isles, its dramatic fall in 1493, and the first wave of independent Clan Donald branches — including Sleat, Clanranald, Glengarry, and the MacDonnells of Antrim.
Resources & Links:
🏴 Scottish Clans Website: www.scottishclans.info
☕ Support the Show on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/scottishclansHelp keep Scottish clan history alive — every contribution makes a difference!
👕 Battle Shirts & Clandanas: https://stores.inksoft.com/the_scottish_clans/shop/homeWear your clan pride!
🎤 Book an In-Person or Virtual Scottish Clans Seminar: Email thescottishclans@gmail.com
📺 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thescottishclans
Clan Donald · MacDonalds of Keppoch · MacDonalds of Glencoe · Massacre of Glencoe · Clan Dunyveg · MacDonalds of Largie · Kintyre · Lordship of the Isles · Scottish clans · Scottish history · Highland clans · Scottish ancestry · MacIain of Ardnamurchan · Clan Ian Mòr · Scottish podcast · Gaelic history
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