Clan Macintosh
The Macintoshes are a sept of the Clan Chattan, which includes the Farquharsons, Shaws, MacPhersons, MacBeans, and eleven others...
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From The Scottish Clans and Their Tartans: With Notes, 1900.
War Cry:—"Loch Moldheidh" ("The Loch of Threatening" A lake near the seat of the Chieftain).
Clan Pipe Music:—Lament "Cumha Mhic an Toisich" ("Macintosh's Lament").
Badge:—Bocsa (Boxwood); or Lus nan craimsheag, braoileag (Red Whortle).
The Macintoshes are a sept of the Clan Chattan, which includes the Farquharsons, Shaws, MacPhersons, MacBeans, and eleven others. To these races belonged Badenoch and much of Lochaber. A rivalry has long existed between the heads of the two chief septs, Macintosh and MacPherson, as to which was the superior; "and," says Robertson, "without pronouncing positively, it does look from the proofs brought forward for the chief of the latter name by Skene, as affording a strong presumption in his favour, from the fact of Macintosh calling himself Captain of the Clan."
The old genealogy (of 1450) makes them descend from two brothers, Muirach Mhor and Dai Dhu, sons of Gillecattan Mhor, chief of the Confederation. Macpherson of Cluny, as the lineal representative, is chief of Muirach Mhor, and is chief of Clan Mhuirach, or MacPherson, says a writer in the "Scottish Journal of Antiquities": "Dhai Dhu, brother of Muirach Mhor, and second son of Gillecattan, left issue, who are represented by Davidson of Invernahaven. The descendants of Dhai Dhu are called Clan Dhai, or Davidson. They are the Clan Kay of Sir Walter Scott and Inch of Perth celebrity (1396). The descendants of Muirach Mhor are called the Clan Mhuirach or MacPhersons."
The chiefs of the Macintoshes have certainly held their chiefship over that name for nearly 500 years. Moy is said to have come into possession of William, seventh Macintosh of that Ilk, in the year 1836 by a gift from David, Bishop of Murray, according to the Old Statistical Account of Moy; but that prelate was dead in 1299, according to Beatson's "Index."
James I. appointed Macintosh of that Ilk Captain of the Castle of Inverness after the battle of Harlaw in 1411. In 1526 Lachlan, the Laird of Macintosh, was slain by James Malcolmson, who, with his followers, fled to an isle in the Lake of Rothiemurchus; "but being apprehendit by MacIntoshe's kindred, they were all of them cutt to pieces," records Sir James Balfour. Hector, his natural brother, was appointed chief till his nephew should be of age, and in a quarrel with the Earl of Murray ravaged his lands, till the Earl procured letters of fire and sword against him. The Macintoshes were routed in battle and 200 of them were taken and hanged. Hector escaped, and no bribe or torture could induce his followers to reveal the place of his hiding.
William, fifteenth Macintosh of that Ilk, was treacherously beheaded by the Countess of Huntly, when on a friendly visit to Huntly Castle in 1550, by the cook's hatchet. She was Elizabeth, daughter of William, third Earl Marischal.
In 1587 Lachlan Macintosh is noted as "Captain of the Clan Chattan" in the "Geography of the Clans," 1878.
In 1624 the Macintoshes, to the number of 500, attacked the Earl of Murray's people and captured his House of Pettie, now called Castle Stuart.
In 1689 Macintosh was kept out of Glenroy and Glenspean, which he claimed in Inverness-shire. He led 1000 of his people in 1689 to take vengeance upon Keppoch, who defeated him with only 500 at Inverary, and made him prisoner. He died in 1704, and his funeral was one of the most expensive ever known in the Highlands.
In 1745 the strength of the fighting force was 800; but as the chief remained neutral, only 200 took the field, under MacGillivray of Dunmacglas. His countries are Brae Lochaber, Badenoch, and Strathnairn, Inverness-shire.
Lachlan Macintosh, who died in 1704, was succeeded by his son Lachlan, who was "out" in 1715, and died without issue in 1731. He was succeeded by his kinsman, William Macintosh of Daviot, who also died without issue in 1741, and was succeeded by his brother AEneas, created a Baronet by King George III. The Baronet dying without issue, the chieftainship devolved on his kinsman, the Hon. Angus Macintosh, resident in Canada; he died in 1883, and was succeeded by his son Alexander, who died in 1801, and was father of Alexander (died 1876) and Alfred, at present "The Macintosh."
The Scottish Clans and Their Tartans: With Notes. W. & A. K. Johnston, 1900.
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