Post by King Adam Aberdeen I on Oct 6, 2010 17:49:36 GMT -6
Eilean Donan and Waternish
Waternish is one of the major northern peninsula on the Isle of Skye, and is ancestrally the home of clans macLean and macCleary.
The name Eilean Donan, or island of Donan, just off the northern-most tip of Waternish, is most probably called after the 6th century Irish Saint, Bishop Donan who came to Scotland around 580 AD. There are several churches dedicated to Donan in the area, and it is likely that he formed a small cell, or community on the island during the late 7th century.
Waternish is ancestrally the home of clans macLean and macCleary in Skye, and they shared Skye defenses with the Robertson. Eilean Donan was built around 1120 on the northern-most tip of the Waternish peninsula as a defense against the Vikings. By the end of the 1100s, it had become a stronghold of the MacCleary of Kilmaluag (later the Earls of DunTulm). In 1180, the MacCleary, as protectors of the Robertson, became the hereditary Constables of the Castle.
In 1195, Iain Dubh macCleary, chief of the Clan macCleary, died whilst defending the castle against the Clan Mackenzie from the Scot mainland. Despite his death, the Robertson, MacLean, and the remaining members of the MacCleary clan prevented the Mackenzie from invading the Waternish peninsula.
In 1290, Uilliam “the Lion” mac Eanric, King of Scotland issued agreements regarding the Skye peninsula of Waternish. With the waning population of the clans macCleary and macLean on the Isles, they assigned responsibilities to the Robertson.
Then in 1300, with England threatening Scot elimination and no King to sit upon the throne, the Scot Second Interregnum, the Guardians of Scotland, accepted the relocation of Scot refugees, particularly the Argyll, and gave them homeage; that portion of Skye offered was Waternish. The 2nd Interregnum, led by Robert the Bruce, used stolen English gold to refurbish the Waternish fortress and gave Castle Eilean Donan as their clan home. This caused much discontent with the Robertson Laird, Lord Alexander.
In 1329, King Robert the Bruce, with the Mo’r Traith of Skye in support, reaffirmed the home of the Argyll. Laird Raibert Argyll offering fealty to both the King and Mo’r Triath.
After King Robert died in late 1329, the Mo’r Traith continued the King’s wishes in regards to the Argyll and Waternish. But, between 1331 and 1333, Lord Alexander enforced harsh Robertson rule upon the Argyll, MacLean, and MacCleary, issuing forth murder, torture, and theft of property.
This embettered resentment between clans would not resolve itself until the Clan Wars of 1333 and the involvement of the Aberdeen King and Queen.
