Clan Donnachaidh (

Scottish Gaelic Scottish Gaelic ( gd, Gàidhlig ), also known as Scots Gaelic and Gaelic, is a Goidelic language (in the Celtic branch of the Indo-European language family) native to the Gaels of Scotland. As a Goidelic language, Scottish Gaelic, as well as ...

: Clann Donnchaidh ), also known as Clan Robertson or Clan Duncan is a

Scottish clan A Scottish clan (from Gaelic , literally 'children', more broadly 'kindred') is a kinship group among the Scottish people. Clans give a sense of shared identity and descent to members, and in modern times have an official structure recognised ...

History

Origins

There are two main theories as to the origins of the Clan Donnachaidh: #That the founder of the clan, Donn(a)chadh (Duncan) was the second son of Angus MacDonald,

Lord of the Isles The Lord of the Isles or King of the Isles ( gd, Triath nan Eilean or ) is a title of Scottish nobility with historical roots that go back beyond the Kingdom of Scotland. It began with Somerled in the 12th century and thereafter the title ...

. #That the Robertsons are lineal descendants of the Celtic Earls of Atholl, whose progenitor was King Duncan I (''Donnchadh'' in Scottish Gaelic). The Collins ''Scottish Clan & Family Encyclopedia'' supports this theory.Way, George and Squire, Romily. (1994). ''Collins Scottish Clan & Family Encyclopedia''. (Foreword by The Rt Hon. The Earl of Elgin KT, Convenor, The

Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs The Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs (SCSC) is the organisation that represents the Chiefs of many prominent Scottish Clans and Families. It describes itself as "the definitive and authoritative body for information on the Scottish Clan System ...

). pp. 302–303.

Wars of Scottish Independence

The clan's first recognised chief, Donnchaidh ''Reamhar'', "Stout Duncan", son of Andrew de Atholia (

Latin Latin (, or , ) is a classical language belonging to the Italic languages, Italic branch of the Indo-European languages. Latin was originally a dialect spoken in the lower Tiber area (then known as Latium) around present-day Rome, but through ...

"Andrew of

Atholl Atholl or Athole ( gd, Athall; Old Gaelic ''Athfhotla'') is a large historical division in the Scottish Highlands, bordering (in anti-clockwise order, from Northeast) Marr, Badenoch, Lochaber, Breadalbane, Strathearn, Perth, and Gowrie. H ...

"), was a minor land-owner and leader of a kin-group around

Dunkeld Dunkeld (, sco, Dunkell, from gd, Dùn Chailleann, "fort of the Caledonians") is a town in Perth and Kinross, Scotland. The location of a historic cathedral, it lies on the north bank of the River Tay, opposite Birnam. Dunkeld lies close to t ...

, Highland

Perthshire Perthshire ( locally: ; gd, Siorrachd Pheairt), officially the County of Perth, is a historic county and registration county in central Scotland. Geographically it extends from Strathmore in the east, to the Pass of Drumochter in the nort ...

, and as legend has it, an enthusiastic and faithful supporter of

Robert I Robert I may refer to: *Robert I, Duke of Neustria (697–748) * Robert I of France (866–923), King of France, 922–923, rebelled against Charles the Simple * Rollo, Duke of Normandy (c. 846 – c. 930; reigned 911–927) * Robert I Archbishop o ...

(king 1306–29 aka Robert the Bruce) during the

Wars of Scottish Independence The Wars of Scottish Independence were a series of military campaigns fought between the Kingdom of Scotland and the Kingdom of England in the late 13th and early 14th centuries. The First War (1296–1328) began with the English invasion of ...

; he is believed to have looked after King Robert after the

Battle of Methven The Battle of Methven took place at Methven, Scotland on 19 June 1306, during the Wars of Scottish Independence. The battlefield was researched to be included in the Inventory of Historic Battlefields in Scotland and protected by Historic Sco ...

in 1306. The clan asserts that Stout Duncan's relatives and followers (not yet known as Robertsons) supported Robert the Bruce at the

Battle of Bannockburn The Battle of Bannockburn ( gd, Blàr Allt nam Bànag or ) fought on June 23–24, 1314, was a victory of the army of King of Scots Robert the Bruce over the army of King Edward II of England in the First War of Scottish Independence. It wa ...

in 1314. His descendants became known (in English or Scots) as the Duncansons, or

Gaelic Gaelic is an adjective that means "pertaining to the Gaels". As a noun it refers to the group of languages spoken by the Gaels, or to any one of the languages individually. Gaelic languages are spoken in Ireland, Scotland, the Isle of Man, an ...

''Clann Dhònnchaidh'', "Children of Duncan".Robertson, James. (1929). ''Chiefs of Clan Donnachaidh, 1275 – 1749 and the Highlanders at Bannockburn''. Printed by Wood and Son, Mill Street, Perth. Duncan is believed to have been killed at the

Battle of Neville's Cross The Battle of Neville's Cross took place during the Second War of Scottish Independence on 17 October 1346, half a mile (800 m) to the west of Durham, England. An invading Scottish army of 12,000 led by King David II was defeated with heavy los ...

and was succeeded by Robert, from whom the Clan Robertson takes its name. Robert's brother, Patrick, was the ancestor of the Robertsons of Lude who were the principal cadet branch. Robertson (R

14th- and 15th-century clan conflicts

In 1394 a clan battle took place between Clann Dhònnchaidh, Clan Lindsay and involving

Clan Ogilvy Clan Ogilvy/Ogilvie is a Scottish Highland clan from Angus, Scotland.Way, George and Squire, Romily. (1994). ''Collins Scottish Clan & Family Encyclopedia''. (Foreword by The Rt Hon. The Earl of Elgin KT, Convenor, The Standing Council of Scott ...

, who were the hereditary sheriffs of Angus, during a cattle raid on Angus. Sir Walter Ogilvy was slain at this battle. ''Clandonoquhy'' had rather a reputation as raiders and feuders in late medieval Scotland, though the chiefs seem always to have been loyal to the Bruce and Stewart royal dynasties. Robert ''Riabhach'' ("Grizzled") Duncanson, 4th Chief of Clann Dhònnchaidh, was a strong supporter of King

James I James I may refer to: People *James I of Aragon (1208–1276) *James I of Sicily or James II of Aragon (1267–1327) *James I, Count of La Marche (1319–1362), Count of Ponthieu *James I, Count of Urgell (1321–1347) *James I of Cyprus (1334–13 ...

(1406–1437) and was incensed by his murder at the Blackfriars Dominican Friary in

Perth Perth is the capital and largest city of the Australian state of Western Australia. It is the fourth most populous city in Australia and Oceania, with a population of 2.1 million (80% of the state) living in Greater Perth in 2020. Perth is ...

. He tracked down and captured two of the regicides,

Sir Robert Graham Sir Robert Graham of Kinpont (died 1437) was a Scottish landowner, and one of the key conspirators in the assassination of King James I of Scotland in 1437. Family Robert Graham was the third son of Patrick Graham of Kincardine. He attended the Un ...

and the King's uncle Walter Stewart, Earl of Atholl, as they hid above Invervack in Atholl, and turned them over to the Crown. They were tortured to death in the

Grassmarket The Grassmarket is a historic market place, street and event space in the Old Town of Edinburgh, Scotland. In relation to the rest of the city it lies in a hollow, well below surrounding ground levels. Location The Grassmarket is located direct ...

in Edinburgh on the orders of the Regent, James I's widow, Joan Beaufort (d. 1445). The Collins ''Scottish Clan & Family Encyclopedia'' states that they were put to death with considerable savagery. The Robertson crest badge of a right hand upholding an imperial crown was awarded by James II (1437–60) to the 4th chief on 15 August 1451 as a reward for capturing his father's assassins. The highly unusual third supporter (below the shield) on the Robertson coat of arms, of a "savage man in chains" is in reference to the capture of Graham. It is in honour of Robert ''Riabhach'' that his descendants took the name Robertson. James II also erected the clan lands into the Barony of Struan, which formerly took in extensive lands in Highland

, notably in Glen Errochty, the north and south banks of

Loch Tay Loch Tay ( gd, Loch Tatha) is a freshwater loch in the central highlands of Scotland, in the Perth and Kinross and Stirling council areas. It is the largest body of fresh water in Perth and Kinross, and the sixth largest loch in Scotland. Th ...

and the area surrounding

Loch Rannoch Loch Rannoch (Scottish Gaelic: ''Loch Raineach'') is a freshwater loch in Perth and Kinross, Scotland. It is over long in a west–east direction with an average width of about , and is deepest at its eastern end, reaching a depth of .Tom Weir. ...

. None of these lands are any longer in the possession of the clan. Robert ''Riabhach'' or ''Riach'' died in 1460 from wounds received in battle. The chiefship then passed to his eldest son, Alexander. The Clan Robertson then feuded with the

Clan Stewart Clan Stewart ( Gaelic: ''Stiùbhart'') is a Scottish Highland and Lowland clan. The clan is recognised by Court of the Lord Lyon; however, it does not have a Clan Chief recognised by the Lord Lyon King of Arms. Because the clan has no chief it ...

of Atholl. William Robertson, the sixth chief was killed trying to recover lands that had been seized by the Stewarts of Atholl. The eighth chief of Clan Robertson was murdered and his brother inherited the estate. Struan (Gaelic ''Sruthan'', "streams"), is a parish church, of

early Christian Early Christianity (up to the First Council of Nicaea in 325) spread from the Levant, across the Roman Empire, and beyond. Originally, this progression was closely connected to already established Jewish centers in the Holy Land and the Jewis ...

origin and dedicated to St. Fillan, at the confluence of the Errochty Water and Garry rivers. Many of the medieval chiefs were buried in this church (although individual monuments have unfortunately not survived). The present building was built in the early 19th century, but the foundations of its predecessor can be traced in the churchyard. Donnchadh ''Reamhar'' is, however, said to have been buried in the parish church of Dull, near Aberfeldy. Recent excavations by members of the Clan Donnachaidh Society within the now redundant church of Dull (Gaelic ''Dul'', "meadow", "haugh") failed to find evidence of this specific burial, although others were uncovered, along with early medieval carved stones. Recent generations of chiefs have been buried in a family vault in the grounds of the estate of

Dunalastair Dunalastair ( Scottish Gaelic: ''Dùn Alastair'', meaning "fort of Alexander") is an estate in the southern part of the Highlands, in Perthshire, Scotland. It is 18 miles west of the town of Pitlochry, lying along the River Tummel between Tummel ...

, near

Kinloch Rannoch Kinloch Rannoch (; Gaelic: ''Ceann Loch Raineach'') is a village in Perth and Kinross, Scotland, at the eastern end of Loch Rannoch, 18 miles (29 km) west of Pitlochry, on the banks of the River Tummel. The village is a tourist and outdoor ...

17th century and Civil War

Under Alexander Robertson, 12th chief, the clan are said to have supported

James Graham, 1st Marquess of Montrose James Graham, 1st Marquess of Montrose (1612 – 21 May 1650) was a Scottish nobleman, poet and soldier, lord lieutenant and later viceroy and captain general of Scotland. Montrose initially joined the Covenanters in the Wars of the Three ...

in all of his battles during the Scottish Civil War. During this time, the main Robertson castle at Invervack, near the present Clan museum, was burned by

Cromwell Oliver Cromwell (25 April 15993 September 1658) was an English politician and military officer who is widely regarded as one of the most important statesmen in English history. He came to prominence during the 1639 to 1651 Wars of the Three Ki ...

's forces, and many family records were lost. The Clan Robertson played a major part in the fighting at the

Battle of Inverlochy (1645) The Battle of Inverlochy occurred on 2 February 1645 during the Wars of the Three Kingdoms when a Royalist force of Highlanders and Confederate Irish troops under the overall command of James Graham, 1st Marquess of Montrose, routed and ...

in support of the royalist,

James Graham, 1st Marquis of Montrose James Graham, 1st Marquess of Montrose (1612 – 21 May 1650) was a Scottish nobleman, poet and soldier, lord lieutenant and later viceroy and captain general of Scotland. Montrose initially joined the Covenanters in the Wars of the Th ...

, where they put the king's enemies to flight. Alexander Robertson of Lude fought for Charles I of Scotland at the Battle of Tippermuir and as a result Lude was burned by Cromwell's forces in retaliation. In 1653 the Earl of Glencairn was in Rannoch looking for support for Charles II. He raised the Clan MacGregor from the Isle of Rannoch and Alexander Robertson led his men from Fea Corrie. Both forces met above Annat and marched up the old path to

Loch Garry Loch Garry (Scottish Gaelic: Loch Garraidh) is a freshwater loch 25 km north of Fort William, Lochaber, Scotland. Loch Garry is 11 km long and 50 m deep. It is fed by waters from Loch Quoich 10 km upstream on the River Garry, an ...

. However, the leaders reportedly quarrelled so much among themselves that Cromwell's General, George Monk had little difficulty in winning the ensuing

Battle of Dalnaspidal The Battle of Dalnaspidal occurred on 19 July 1654 during the Wars of the Three Kingdoms. It was one of the last engagements in the war bringing an end to the Royalist rising of 1653 to 1654. Prelude The Earl of Glencairn raised the Clan MacGre ...

. Alexander Robertson, 13th chief (b. 1668) joined the Jacobite rising of 1689 and was taken prisoner a few weeks after the Jacobite defeat at the

Battle of Dunkeld The Battle of Dunkeld ( gd, Blàr Dhùn Chaillinn) was fought between Jacobite clans supporting the deposed king James VII of Scotland and a regiment of covenanters supporting William of Orange, King of Scotland, in the streets around Dunk ...

. After being released he went to live in France for thirteen years where he served for some time in the French army. He returned to Scotland in 1703.

18th century and Jacobite uprisings

Alexander Robertson, 13th chief, led 500 men of Clan Donnachaidh in support of the Earl of Mar at the Battle of Sheriffmuir in 1715. He was captured, but later rescued and he took refuge in France.

General Wade Field Marshal George Wade (1673 – 14 March 1748) was a British Army officer who served in the Nine Years' War, War of the Spanish Succession, Jacobite rising of 1715 and War of the Quadruple Alliance before leading the construction of barra ...

's report on the Highlands in 1724, estimated the clan strength at 800 men. The fighting force of Clan Donnachaidh was estimated at 700 men in 1745."A Short History of the Clan Robertson". By Maj. J Robertson Reid. Printed at the Observer Press, Stirling, Scotland. 1933. After the defeat of the

Jacobite rising of 1745 The Jacobite rising of 1745, also known as the Forty-five Rebellion or simply the '45 ( gd, Bliadhna Theàrlaich, , ), was an attempt by Charles Edward Stuart to regain the British throne for his father, James Francis Edward Stuart. It took ...

the Robertson lands became part of the Forfeited Estates, although most were returned to the then chief, another Alexander Robertson, in 1784, after it became clear that the Central Highlands were wholly pacified. Two of the most notorious and well documented

Highland Clearances The Highland Clearances ( gd, Fuadaichean nan Gàidheal , the "eviction of the Gaels") were the evictions of a significant number of tenants in the Scottish Highlands and Islands, mostly in two phases from 1750 to 1860. The first phase result ...

occurred on the Robertson clan land of Strathcarron: # In 1845, the Glencalvie o
Croick
clearance, executed by the factor James Gillander on behalf of William Robertson, sixth laird of Kindeace. # In 1854, the Greenyards clearance, sometimes known as the Massacre of the Rosses. This was also carried out by James Gillander on behalf of Major Charles Robertson—son of William. Only the family vault at

is still in the possession of the family of Struan; however, many modern properties have been added to the clan land. The title Baron of Struan is still transferred through Dunalastair.

Clan Castles

Eilean nam Faoilaig from the South shore - geograph

*Dunalastair Castle was the original seat of the chiefs of Clan Robertson. The castle was eventually replaced by Dall House. *Lude Castle belonged to the Clan Robertson from at least the 17th century but was torched by the forces of

Oliver Cromwell Oliver Cromwell (25 April 15993 September 1658) was an English politician and military officer who is widely regarded as one of the most important statesmen in English history. He came to prominence during the 1639 to 1651 Wars of the Three ...

in 1650 after Alexander Robertson of Lude had fought on the side of

at the Battle of Tippermuir in 1644. *Auchleeks Castle was held by the Clan Robertson from the 1530s but was later replaced by a mansion. They sold the property in 1962 and the garden is occasionally open to the public. *Eilean nam Faoilaig, near

, Perthshire, is the site of a castle on an island that was held by the Robertsons of Struan and was used as both a refuge and a prison.

Tartans

File:RobertsonRed.jpg, Red Modern tartan File:kilt stitching 001.jpg, Detail of a Clan Robertson kilt. Cf. File:Robertson hunting acient2.JPG, Hunting Ancient tartan. Cf. File:Robertson tartan (Vestiarium Scoticum).png, "Clandonoquhay"

tartan Tartan ( gd, breacan ) is a patterned cloth consisting of criss-crossed, horizontal and vertical bands in multiple colours. Tartans originated in woven wool, but now they are made in other materials. Tartan is particularly associated with Sc ...

, as published in 1842 in the ''

Vestiarium Scoticum The ''Vestiarium Scoticum'' (full title, ''Vestiarium Scoticum: from the Manuscript formerly in the Library of the Scots College at Douay. With an Introduction and Notes, by John Sobieski Stuart'') was a book which was first published in 1842 by ...

Gaelic names

* ''MacDhònnchaidh'' (surname, "son of Duncan") * ''MacRaibeirt'' (surname, "son of Robert") * ''Robasdan'' (surname – used when following a first name) * ''An Robasdanach'' (surname, "the Robertson" – used on its own, without a first name) * ''Clann MhicDhònnchaidh / Clann 'IcDhònnchaidh'' (collective – "Clan Robertson") * ''Clann Dhònnchaidh'' (collective) * ''Na Robasdanaich'' (collective) – the Robertsons as a whole. Note: the common spelling often appears with an "a" after the double nn of ''Dhònnchaidh'', but this is not correct (though it does reflect the Gaelic insertion of an epenthetic vowel in pronunciation). ''Cf.'' the anglicised surname MacConnochie (and variants). "MacDhònnchaidh" and derivatives are usually used on the mainland, "Robasdan" and derivatives on the islands.

Branches

*Robertson of Auchleeks. *Robertson of Faskally. *Robertson of Inches. *Robertson of Kindeace. *Robertson of Kinlochmouidart. *Robertson of Lude. *Robertson of Struan.

Septs

The main surname used by Clan Donnachaidh is Robertson, which is also used by the present chief's family, though other names are associated with the clan. Other names associated with the clan may include: *Barr * Collier *Colyear *Conlow *Connachie *Dobbie *Dobieson *Dobinson *Dobson *Donachie *Donnachie *Donica *Duncan *Duncanson *Dunkeson *Dunnachie *Dunshea *Green *Inches *MacConachie *MacConnachie *MacConlogue *MacConnichie *MacDonachie *MacGlashan *MacInroy *MacIver *MacIvor *MacLagan *MacLaggan *MacRob *MacRobb *MacRobbie *MacRobert *MacRobie *MacWilliam *McDonnough *McConnachie * McConnico *McConochie *McInroy *McRobie *Reed *Reid *Robb *Robbie *Roberts *Robison *Robinson *Roberson *Robson *Roy *Stark *Tannoch *Tannochy *Hart Note that several of the above are merely anglicised variants of the

Scots Gaelic Scottish Gaelic ( gd, Gàidhlig ), also known as Scots Gaelic and Gaelic, is a Goidelic language (in the Celtic branch of the Indo-European language family) native to the Gaels of Scotland. As a Goidelic language, Scottish Gaelic, as well as ...

''MacDhònnchaidh'' or literal translations into English of the same (Duncan, Duncanson, etc.).

Clan profile

Motto A motto (derived from the Latin , 'mutter', by way of Italian , 'word' or 'sentence') is a sentence or phrase expressing a belief or purpose, or the general motivation or intention of an individual, family, social group, or organisation. M ...

: ''Virtutis gloria merces'' ('Glory is the reward of valour') *

Slogan A slogan is a memorable motto or phrase used in a clan, political slogan, political, Advertising slogan, commercial, religious, and other context as a repetitive expression of an idea or purpose, with the goal of persuading members of the publi ...

: ''Garg 'nuair dhùisgear'' ('Fierce when Roused') * Crest: A dexter hand holding up an imperial crown, all proper. *

Badge A badge is a device or accessory, often containing the insignia of an organization, which is presented or displayed to indicate some feat of service, a special accomplishment, a symbol of authority granted by taking an oath (e.g., police and ...

Bracken Bracken (''Pteridium'') is a genus of large, coarse ferns in the family (biology), family Dennstaedtiaceae. Ferns (Pteridophyta) are vascular plants that have alternating generations, large plants that produce spores and small plants that produ ...

. (the clan had lands on the southern side of Loch Rannoch – Gaelic ''Loch Raineach'', 'Loch of Bracken') * Pipe music: **Salute: ''Fàilte Thighearna Sruthain'' Frank Adam, Thomas Innes: ''The Clans, Septs and Regiments of the Scottish Highlands 1934'', p 423
/ref> **Gathering: ''Thàinig Clann Dhònnchaidh'' **March: ''Till an Crodh Dhònnchadh'' ; ''Riobain Gorm'' ; ''Teachd Chlann Dhònnchaidh'' **Lament: ''Cumha Sruthain'' *

Clan chief The Scottish Gaelic word means children. In early times, and possibly even today, Scottish clan members believed themselves to descend from a common ancestor, the founder of the clan, after whom the clan is named. The clan chief (''ceannard c ...

: Alexander Gilbert Haldane Robertson of Struan, 24th Chief of Clan Donnachaidh, 28th of Struan (styled Struan Robertson).Burke's Peerage and Gentry
/ref>