Published in Scotland Magazine Issue 24 on 05/01/2006.

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On a historical Roller coaster (Clan MacNab)

James Irvine Robertson looks at the history of Clan MacNab

Land charters are the skeletons on which much Highland history is based. In them you can find out who owned what, from when and, usually, who your ancestors were.

The witnesses to such charters can also reveal who was up and who was down. Few clans have a more colourful story than the MacNabs but, on at least two occasions, their charters were destroyed, which obscures much of their early history.

They were rarely at the centre of the nation’s affairs but their history was punctuated by remarkable events and remarkable chiefs.

Their country was in the centre of Scotland, west of Loch Tay and along Glen Dochart. The name means ‘son of the Abbot’.

Like the Macphersons and Macfarlanes, their progenitor was a Celtic churchman, in their case this may have been a kinsman of St Fillan, the missionary who brought the gospel to this part of Perthshire some 15 centuries ago and whose memory remains remarkably green.

Aside from the customary attrition in battles against neighbouring clans and government soldiers, the clan suffered two great misfortunes: they backed the Red Comyn rather than Robert the Bruce in the fight for the crown and even defeated King Robert when he had the temerity to come into their territory in the battle of Dalrigh in 1306.

In consequence, they lost their lands when Bruce prevailed. These were restored in 1336 when Gilbert of Bovain, considered to be the first chief, received a charter from King David II.

They also found themselves in the eye of the stor.....

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By James Irvine Robertson

Section : Scottish Clans

Page number : 56