Sharp County record., 1881-05-26

son, John, well known in the Highland
story as Ian Mudartach-a man of high
capacity both for diplomacy and COM
mand-a born chief. These mental en-
dowments, along with his great phySic-
al powers, made him so popular that
the circumstance of his illegitimacy was
ignored, and on the death of his father
he was unanimously elected by the clan
to be their captain and chief-to the ex-
clusion of cousins, and his uncle, Ra-
nald Gallda, any of whom had legally a
preferential claim.
Allan Mac Ruairi, as already narrated
married as his second wife, the Honor
able Isabella Fraser of Lovat, by whom
he had son, Ranald, who, from the
circumstance of his being educated
among his mother friends, the Frasers,
went by the soubriquet of Ronald, or
Raol Gallda. His two elder brothers
dead and the representatives OF Raol
Ban the elder of the two being disqual-
flied, Raol Gallda was undoubtedly the
rightful Clanranald Chief. But such
was the influence of John Mudartach
that his opponents efforts, and those of
his friends, to obtain recognition of his
rights proved quite unavailing, until John
with other chiefs, was apprehended by
James ", during the expedition for the
pacifcation of the Highlands and Isles.
OF this circumstance LoVat immediate
" availed himself to assert the rights
of his nephew, and eventually he sue
ceeded in obtaining the revocation of
the charters formerly granted to John
as heir of his father, the deceased Allan
Mac Rae Ruairi. This new arrange
ment lasted only during the time John
Mudartach remained in confinement.
On his release-whether by permission
or escape is uncertain-he fastened
with all speed to his mountain home,
and, by the singular influence he pos
sessed over his clan, drew them again
to his banner-was acknowledged as
their chief and Ranald Gallda, whose
more refined accomplishments were not
at all to the taste of his wild Modart
kinsmen, had to betake himself for
shelter and protection to his uncle
Lovat, who took steps to reassert the
rights of his injured nephew. John
Mudartach was too fiery and impetuous
spirit to abide invasion, He took the
initiative. In alliance with the Mac
donalds of Keppoch and the Camerons
of Lochiel, headed by their respective
chiefs, he ravaged the districts of Aber-
tart and Stratherric belonging to Lovat
and those of Glenmoriston and Glen
Urquhart, belonging to the Grants,
who sided with Lovat He also
invested the Castle of Urquhart,
of which the laird of Grant was
Constable; took it by storm, put the
garrison to the sword and settled large
portion of his followers in the surround
ing districts as in conquered territory.
These were serious and formidable in
vasions upon the rights of the lieges,
and as necessary consequence brought
John Mudartach and his allies into col
lision with the crown. The Castle of
Urquhart being loyal fort, Huntly, the
Kings Lieutenant in the North, was
authorized to take immediate steps to-
wards chaStising these chieftains. He
lost no time in raising an army, includ-
ing, in addition to his own dependents,
the Frasers, the Mackintoshes and the
Grants. His first operation was to clear
the invaded territories of their new set
tiers. He then marched westwards
against the NIacdonalds of Keppoch and
the Camerons, after which he led his
forces into the wilds of Mudart, and
without much opposition put Lovat's
nephew in possession of Eileantioram,
but as the sequel shows not in posses
sion of the clan. John Mudartach was
not in position, single-handed, to en-
counter the Kings Lieutenant; and wise
ly realizing this he retreated or advanced
as occasion required, but always kept
watchful eye upon the foe, waiting his
opportunity to strike a decisive blow
should a favorable occasion turn up.
Huntly having, as he supposed, secured
the object of his expedition, retraced
his steps homewards as far as Glenspean,
through which was his nearest route to
Badenoch and Strathbogie. Here he
and the Frasers agreed to part COM
pany. The Spean route suited Huntly
better, while Lovat elected to march
down the Great Glen as the most direct
road to his country. There seems to be
no evidence, as some historians affirm,
that this arrangement was suggested by
Huntly to entrap Lovat. On the con-
trary, he offered him an escort in case
he might be attacked by the way, which
Huntly suggested as possible. But as
there was no appearance of this-the
Clanranald keeping carefully out of
sight-Lovat courteously declined the
offer. He had reason to repent of this.
1t is pretty certain that John Mudar-
tach and his allies foresaw there would
be division of Huntly's forces. Guess
ing the route Lovat was likely to take,
he marched down behind the range of
mountains to the north of Lochlochy,
and encamped on the night previous to |
the battle in glen among the hills i'm
mediately behind the farm of Kilfnnan,
near a small loch, called LOGAN nam
bata, the loch of the slaves. In the
muddy margin of this little loch, the
Mudart men left their slaves on the
morning of the battle, that by the num-
ber of unclaimed ones they might as
certain their losses in the impending
struggle. Such, according to tradition
is the origin of the name. Gregory says
the Clanranald ond tboir oll;ao ,,,orobo cd