SITES OF MATHESON HISTORY IN LOCHALSH
Glaic Chailen “Colin’s Valley” According to an old tradition, Mary, daughter of Kenneth Grumach, married a man called Colin Fitzgerald. They promised to name their first born son Kenneth, but called him Colin instead, and named their second son Kenneth. This caused considerable offence, and certain Mathesons lured young Colin to this valley, and murdered him close by, at Torr-an-tadraidh (the mound of the murdering place). The perpetrators of the crime fled to Sutherland and became the progenitors of the original line of the Chiefs of Matheson of Shiness.
Achadh-dà-thearnaidh (The Field of the Two Declivities) The Clan Gathering Place is generally accepted as the open space of field at the head of Loch Achaid-na-h-inich, which is overlooked by the Fort.
Fort Now surrounded by fir trees, the site has a magnificent commanding position. It is easy to make out the outlines of the walls and one or two chambers.
Crannog in Loch Achaid-na-h-Inich The heap of stones in the loch are all that remains of an island castle which at one time was owned by Mathesons. In the time of Dugald Roy, it was possessed by MacDonald of Glengarry, who shared the Lochalsh grazings and rents with Dugald Roy. Attadale Dugald an Oir’s descendants lived at Attadale on the Lochalsh peninsula until 1825, when the house was sold by John Matheson 4th of Attadale. The house is now owned by the Macpherson family.
Lochalsh Parish Church, Kirkton There has been a church in this vicinity since the Celtic era, when Comgan, an exiled Prince of Leinster, established a cell or small monastery in 720AD. The current Presbyterian church, right on the coast, dates back to 1807. Many Mathesons are buried in the cemetery which surrounds it.
Eilean Donan Castle Although now the home of the Clan MacRae, one legend has it that Eilean Donan was founded by a Matheson. The story goes that Alexander II (1214-1250) commissioned the son of an early Matheson chief to build the castle in order to protect his subjects against Norwegian invaders. It is certainly true that Eilean Donan has been associated with the Mathesons for many centuries. In 1539, the then constable of Eilean Donan, Iain (John) Dubh Matheson of Fernaic, was killed defending the castle against Donald Gorm MacDonald of Sleat, who was attempting unsuccessfully to re-establish the MacDonalds as Lords of the Isles.
More information about Eilean Donan can be found on the official Eilean Donan Castle website and the Internet Guide to Scotland.