The Highlanders of Scotland - Clan Strachan Society

300 T H E H I G H L A x\ D E R S [part ii
among whom the title of is captain found, been the oldest cadet,
and in that capacity had come to supersede the elder branch
when reduced by circumstances. Originally the clan Cameron
consisted of three septs, the clan ic Mhartin, or Mac Martins, of
Letterfinla}' ; the
clan ic Ilonobhy, or Camerons, of Strone ; and
Sliochd Shoirle Ruaidh, or Camerons, of Glenevis. Of one ol
these septs the genealogy is to be found in the MS. of 1450, and
it is apparent from that genealogy that the Locheil famih'
belonged to the second, or clan ic Ilonobhy, for the first of the
Locheil family who appears on record is Allan Mac Connell dui
or son of Donald Du, who in 1472 obtains a charter from
Celestine of the Isles, lord of Lochalche, to himself and the heirs
male pro-created between him and his wife, Mariot, daughter oi
Angus de Insulis, with remainder to his brother, Eugene Mac
Conneldu\', and the two last "-enerations of the clan ic Ilonobhv
are Donald Du and his son Eogan. The traditionary origin of
the Camerons, however, like that of the Macintoshes and other
clans, clearly points out the ancient chiefs of the clan, for while
they are unquestionably of native origin, their tradition derives
them from a certain Cambro, a Dane, who is said to have
acquired his propert)' with the chiefship of the clan, by marriage
with the daughter and heiress of Mac Martin, of Letterfinlav.
The extraordinary identity of all these traditionary tales,
wherever the title of captain is used, leaves little room to doubt
that in this case the Mac Martins were the old chiefs of the clan,
and the Locheil family were the oldest cadets, whose after
position at the head of the clan gave them the title of captain of
the clan Cameron. There is some reason to think that on the
acquisition of the captainship of the clan Chattan, in 1396, by
the Macintoshes, the Mac Martins adhered to the successful
faction, while the great body of the clan, with the Camerons of
Locheil, declared themselves independent, and thus the Locheil
family gained that position which they have ever since retained.
Another circumstance probably contributed to place Donald Du
at the head of the clan, for the Camerons having, along with the
clan Chattan, deserted Alexander, lord of the Isles, when
attacked by James I., in Lochaber, and having subsequently
refused to join Donald Balloch in his inv^asion of Scotland in
143 1, that chief, after his victory at Inverloch}-. resolved to