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Clan Donald Magazine Online Edition
Barrisdale
- Honour Maligned by Valerie Smith.
�Here to thee will belong the acts of establishing
the custom of peace, of sparing the down trodden and of abasing the
proud...�
With this inscription
on his broadsword Colla Ban MacDonell 2nd of Barrisdale
lived his life in the Highlands.
A
man of great strength, admired for his leadership and personal charm;
yet he died in Edinburgh Castle, without trial in 1750 and was
buried in an unmarked grave in Greyfriars cemetery.
Many a historian since
has brought in an unsubstantiated verdict of guilty, this we hope to
argue here.
It is interesting to
note that the celebrated Scottish historian and politician
Charles Fraser Mackintosh who was closely associated with the city
and county of Inverness, particularly as a Member of Parliament
published a number of works on the history of the Highlands and
Highland Clans.
Just prior to his death in 1901 he became interested in researching
and publishing the defence of Coll Macdonell 2nd of
Barrisdale and with access to family records through his friendship
with
Christian Helen CAMERON who
was the daughter
of Sir Alexander Cameron of Inverailort and Christian MacDonell of
Barrisdale and
wife of James Head
JP. He was about to go into print
and but for his
untimely death, this would have been accomplished.
Research in the
Inverness Highland Archives located three Pages, handwritten by
Charles Fraser Mackintosh, untitled and covered in mould, comparing
these notes to other handwriting held there, it was evident that
this was his preparatory work for the defence of Barrisdale.
These Charles Fraser
Mackintosh�s papers along with margin notes on his personal copy of
the Transactions of the Gaelic Society of Inverness (held in the
Inverness Library) gives an insight into what he found as the
falseness of the evidence laid out before Coll 2nd of
Barrisdale, whose only crime appears to have been that he was
successful in providing wealth and leadership for his Barrisdale
Cadet line of Glengarry, owning or controlling vast areas from his
Clan Land in one of the most beautiful yet unyielding part of the
Highland West Coast � Na Garbh Chriochan The Rough Bounds,
down through
the Great Glen into Laggan.
However, before we
enter into Charles Fraser Mackintosh evidential arguments, we should
look first at the original charge, that of Blackmail.
In the case of Coll MacDonell 2nd of Barrisdale, much has
been written regarding his use of Blackmail within the areas under
his control in the Highlands.
Every opportunity has been taken to assert that it was from this,
that he obtained power and wealth. Perhaps, now with greater
understanding of the conditions we can place a fairer judgement.
In his �Gaelic Etymology� Dr Charles Mackay alludes to mail
being from the Gaelic m�l:
rent,tax or tribute.
The question is what is the derivation of black.
Two or three centuries ago, when a drove of cattle was going south
through the Highlands, it had to move along glens, and in doing so
had to use the roads when
there were
any; these roads and bridges being kept up by the work of the local
residents. Often by the roadside, fences would be either absent or
defective, and the hungry cattle, making a rush at any growing
crops, would in a few minutes do a good deal of damage. To pay for
the use of the roads, and for the damage done to the crops, it would
be only fair that some payment should be made by the owner of the
drove. This would be most easily done by giving one or more of the
cattle. What would be the best place to collect this tax. Not
where the strath or glen was wide; but where it was at the
narrowest. That spot would be where there was a pass.
The Gaelic for pass is Bealach; this sound quickly would soon
become Balch; instead of sounding ch guttural, it by
corruption, was sounded like k. So that Black-Mail means the
tax levied at the pass. With the regular cattle drives through the
Highland areas under his control many a head of cattle would be
taken into Barrisdale�s control.
Our next evidence finds
Barrisdale in the role of protector reference a letter written by
Coll of Barrisdale in Dec 1734 wherein he requests from the �The
Laird of Applecross� protection for a Ewen McPhie:
�I have sent him to
you to be protected for no Campbell will ever go at such
distance in suits of him, and if he fall in their hands I would
be terribly affronted and Caldarse would lose his point and the
matter in dispute is considerable to be sure five hundred pounds
will not deside it there is not many I would presume to use this
freedom with because there is some expense I keeping a fellow of
three of four months but the mark of hartie and true friendship
I always had from you give me intire confidence to ask this
favour. Likewise I beg you at anytime you can think, I can be of
use to you, most absolutely to Command
� whatever
the crime, McPHIE who is to give witness against the Campbell
where he and several others are to prove several depredations
against my Lord Breadalbane�s people�. (NLS Delvine papers).
Come Jan 1744, he is
co-writer with Aneas McDonald in a letter: To Honourable Gentleman
(Lochiel, Cameron of Fassifern, Glengarry, Keppoch, Glencoe)
requesting their attendance at a meeting to discuss lawlessness in
the area. (NLS Fassifern papers).
In October 1744 he is
appointed by Glengarry and the Gentleman of Districts, together with
MacDonald of Scothouse as Deputy of the district of Knoydart. (TGSI
Lord MacDonald�s charter chest).
Barrisdale next stands accused of not being available in support on
the day of Culloden. However we know from records that
The Earl of Cromatry, together with Barrisdale, Glengyle and
MacKinnon, were sent into Sutherland to try to recapture money,
�12,000 and stores which had been seized from the Prince�s vessel in
the Pentland Firth on or about the 26th March.
We
know also that they were surprised by Lords Sutherland and Rea on
15th April At Dunrobin Castle and Cromarty was taken
...
only 30 escaped about 40 of them were killed or drowned, the Earl,
his son, some officers and upwards of 150 private men were made
prisoners.
Needing to return, Coll MacDonell
was able to muster his men and leave the following day to return
south to Culloden in response to receiving the Princes orders on the
13th.
This
says much for the ability of the man to lead back a disciplined
group of men who had been routed with heavy losses the day before.
The charge
laid against Barrisdale that his men appropriated some of the French
gold which was landed at Loch nan Uamh on 1 May 1746 from the �Mars�
and the �Bellona�, is possibly correct, however,
gold was taken by many, Cluny�s share was never accounted for, and
the fact that he lived for years after Culloden in the �Cave�
without venturing out would suggest that he had the means to support
him in comfort. Compared to the gold buried in Cameron land near
Loch Arkaig any taken by Barrisdale�s men was insignificant.
More importantly, this was never one of the charges
laid before him in questions asked of Barrisdale by Prince Charles
Stuart through his Secretary Kelly. (Stuart Papers, Windsor Castle).
Another inconsistency of these charges is related in
the August 1746 page 429 Gentleman's Magazine:
�On June 28, under the disguise of a lady's maid Prince Charles
sailed with her in a small boat
...
he hired a boatman and returned to the continent. There it is
said he was joined by Barrisdale in manifest violation of the
protection his Royal Highness has
given him and not withstanding the vigilance of the parties
which guarded
the passes he escaped through Glengarry to Badenoch....�
This provides
further evidence that Barrisdale was actively supporting the Prince.
The author
John S. Gibson�s charged that Coll of Barrisdale tried to assist the
authorities by intercepting two French officers who had landed at
Loch Broom, the Chevalier de Lanzi�re de Lancise and Lieutenant
Berar: �They were utterly lost in this wilderness of hill and
mountain because they had to flee from the Laird of Barrisdale�.
It would be
obvious to any, had Barrisdale or his clansmen wished to intercept
the Frenchmen whilst they travelled through Barrisdale land, it
would have been completed, the truth was that there
was
no clear indication that Frenchmen arriving in Scotland as friends
of the Prince were immediately welcomed by the Jacobites. Bonnie
Prince Charlie posed as Lord Drummond to interview two of these,
whom he suspected to be spies for the Government forces � many a
Frenchman had arrived in Scotland and been captured, all trust had
gone.
�Chevalier de Lancize persuaded the Prince�s friends there that
rescue from France would eventually come. And so the gentlemen
of Clan Donald set up hundred mile chain of communication from
Clanranald�s South Uist to Clanranald�s Moidart, and from there
to the country the Camerons and onward to the slopes of Ben
Alder�.
(Gibson).
Those gentleman of Clan Donald would have included Coll MacDonell,
the chain of communication had been in place for the whole period
after Culloden, how else could the communication traveled so far, so
fast, other than by the use of Clansmen,
...
at all points throughout this period of the Princes� exile
Barrisdale is contactable or aware of where the Prince is and what
is going on.
17 July
1746: In
Neil MacEachain�s narrative he states that during the period that
the Prince spent in the Braes of Morar near Meoble his host was
Angus MacEachine (Borradale�s son-in-law) that while waiting at
Borradale the Prince had daily conferences with young Clanranald and
Barrisdale;
Knowing that he has been duped on the 26 Jul 1746 Lord Albemarle
withdraws the protection order from Coll MacDonell of Barrisdale, In
a letter on 4 Aug 1746
Major-General Campbell to the Earl of Albemarle Horse Shoe Bay
writes.
"My
Lord
...
I have this day received a letter from the Commanding Officer in
Mull, with a piece of Intelligence as follows:
This moment (viz Aug 3rd ) I received Information
from Allan McLean here , that the Pretenders son, Lochiel and
four more were in a Shild House in Glendeasrie six days past,
and on observing a part of the Military coming that way made
their escape to the hill
�
I am also informed that Colonel McDonald of Barasdell was in the
company with them a day or two before they were surprysed by the
party and that he parted with the Pretenders son in as good
terms as usual."
Then on 9 Aug The Lord Justice-Clerk Andrew Fletcher of Saltoun
writes to the
Earl of Albemarle - In reference to:
Letter to Earl of Albemarle stated to have been signed at Glenluh 16
July 1746 by Col. McDonnell of Barisdale etc.
�Since there is little hopes of catching the signers of that
information by force, the only method left is to grant them a
protection for their person
as your lordship proposed. I wish they may come all at one time,
that
they may be at once separately examined, for the Highlanders are
all false
and cunning. H.R.H. granted a protection to Barisdale (the first
of the
Subscribers of this Information)� which, upon the shortcomings
of his
proposed merit, was not renewed�.
In an attempt to save further loss to clan and estates on 13 Aug
1746, Fort Augustus Col Macdonald of Barisdale with 50 men
surrendered themselves to the Earl of Albemarle before he decamped.
As reported in The Scots Magazine On the 6th Sept, two French ships
of force anchored at Loch�Uaoua. Next day four Gentlemen landed,
sent Hugh Macdonald in Keppoch in quest of some of the rebel chiefs,
and then returned to their ships. This man having brought Barisdale
and his son to them, they landed again on the 8th, got guides to
carry them to Dr Cameron, and were no more heard of for several
days. Before the 17th, the Macdonalds of Clanranald junior, Lochgarry,
Glenalladel, Dalela and his two brothers, the second Barisdale and
his son, and some say Stewart of Ardsheill and four Gentlemen from
Appin, were on-board.
It was then further reported on 16 Sep 1746 by Abermarle�s spy:
6 o�clock in ye morning
�In the letter I sent you yesterday I acquainted you with what
accounts I had from Captain MacLeod concerning the French Ships
of War which touched at South Uist; all that I have to add to
these Accounts is that we are told from the Main Land, that
three French ships of War came into Lochennoare in Muidort and
received several persons on board; some say the Young Pretender
was of the number as also Colonel McDonald of Barrisdil, his son
Archibald, John McDonald younger Scothouses Son, two sons of
Moror�s Lochiel, a son of Keanloch Muidort�s and others whom I
have not heard named; that these French Ships put to sea on the
15th current, Yesterday evening I saw two large
vessels (which to me seemed to be shipe of war) were cruising
between Lochennoare and the Island of Egg, which at length
sailed into Lochennoare but whether they staid there I know not
as the point of Aresaig intercepted my view and night came on.
But whether those ships were British or French no distinguish
the distance being considerable. This is all I have yet
discovered.
I am etc Donald MacDonald
Keanlochnidale 17th Sept 1746�
In a following letter to Abermarle,
Thursday the 18th:
�at twelve o�clock, the pretender�s son embarked on board a
French ship of war in the same loch in Moydart where he first
landed, attended by McPherson of Clunie, with others of his
clan, Cameron of Lochiel Dr Cameron his brother, Ludwick Cameron
of Torcastle, Allan Cameron, Macdonald of Lochgary, and many
others whose names were not known; and that Barisdale was said
to have gone on board before the pretender�s son got to the
ships�.
During all of these communiqu�s there is no mention of either
Barrisdale being under arrest, being held on board, or being
handcuffed, the movements suggest that of a man preparing to leave
the country and taking on-board personal belongings.
Charles Fraser Mackintosh�s three handwritten pages support all this
evidence, however he takes the issue further:
"Upon
13th April Barrisdale a lodger in Edinburgh Castle
from whence he never emerged a living man. Upon 18th
April The Lord Justice Clerk reports that he has his prisoner
but he did not take the trouble of sending even a copy of the
Prisoners declaration � From this day 15th May 1749
up to his death on 1st June 1750 Barrisdal is kept in
a confinement as close as if he were in the Convent dungeon of
the Bastille, never tried, nor is there anything in the papers
to show that the Duke of Newcastle�s order to proceed against
him �according to law� had been even initiated. If that had have
been, the real meaning for this monstrous breach of the
fundamental points in the law that a man is innocent until
proven guilty�"
Barrisdale in death must be maligned. The allegation positively
devilish, connected with his burial circulated in the Impartial
Hand, circulated by Mr A Lang are shown
to have been false.
Upon the question of Barrisdale�s alleged treason it may be stated:
The charge of Treason by Jacobite and Hanoverian are in themselves
inconsistent and mutually destructive.
The Jacobite charges were formally departed from and for whatever
they were worth, cancelled by the French King.
The Hanoverian charges, although � a True Bill� was passed, were not
insisted on, far less established. It cannot for a moment be
doubted that if proof were available a trial would have taken place.
Dr Cameron Lees specific charges explained and answered:
Charge - �His fidelity to the cause after Culloden was suspected by
hisccompanions�
Answer - Men left Murray of Broughton saving themselves to the loss
of their heads for treason. May have done similar if they thought of
Barrisdale as a traitor. Until the charge is specifically formulated
and brought home by a person of intelligence, fairness and honour
the charge is unsubstantiated and undeserving of credit.
Charge - �When Prince Charles sailed for France, he was seized and
came with him with a view to his being tried in that country as an
Informer�
Answer � Barrisdale and his son were inveigled on board the French
ship, But with what view other than gratifying the malice of ill
wishers does not appear. Barrisdale was not a Frenchman nor subject
to French Jurisdiction. Finding him however illegally carried into
France. King Louis did keep him in prison but he dared not at his
peril punish Barrisdale for any alleged wrong committed out of
France, not against that country. The French King�s behaviour
contrasts most favourably with the vindictive cruel acts of the
Hanoverian and Jacobite
Charge - �Barrisdale and his son were confined to Prison from which
they effected their escape to Scotland�
Answer � Here is a glaring mis-statement. Barrisdale did not
escape, but after the confinement they were finally liberated by the
French King.
Charge - �The State Papers show that there is no doubt of Barrisdale
being a traitor to his friends�
Answer � The State papers, at least such that are authentic and true
now and received in Court. Show nothing of the kind.
Charge - Barrisdale writes to the Duke of Cumberland promising to
�discover the whereabouts of the Prince�
Answer - I have found no such letter among the papers where if it
existed it might lie. Those about the Duke of Cumberland may have
reported that Barrisdale offered to make disclosures, a very
different matter of the production of Barrisdale�s autographed
letter to this effect.
There has been many a miscarriage of justice in the reporting of the
life of Coll MacDonell of Barrisdale, Charles Fraser Mackintosh�s
vindication of his support for his Clan and his Prince was to have
been published in the early 19000�s this was prevented by his death,
perhaps others with more information than recorded here, will
finally restore the deserved honour to life of this extraordinary
Highlander.
In closing our defence of Barrisdale. A quote from Alice Clarie
MacDonell,
Bardess to the Clan Donald, writing
to Mrs Head in 27 July 1890:
�...
The MacDonalds what ever their faults of Pride were always
alluded to as trusty � as to Barrisdale�s cheating the
Hanoverians � WELL, they never kept their word, neither
prisoners nor Generals & so it was a difficult matter to deal
with them. They were people that any fine service of honour was
lost upon.
Barrisdale was a splendid soldier and did loyal service in his
fighting record, anything that may crop up in my sisters
researches relating to him we will be delighted to let you know.�
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