18th Chief Raonuill Mhic Colla-MacDhomhnaill of Keppoch. 18th Chief of the Honourable Clan Ranald of Lochaber Mac Mhic Raonuill. c 1746 - c 1798 (Painting - Raeburn)

22nd Chief Raonuill Alasdair MacDhomhnaill of Keppoch. 22nd Cheif of the Hanourable Clan Ranald of Lochaber. (de-jure 31st Chief) c 2005 (Photo - MacLaren)

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Eulogy to Keppoch

By
Gilleasbuig Lachlainn'Illeasbuig
Ceapach Bard

Salute to Ranald Alasdair MacDonald of Keppoch
Chief of the Honourable Clan Ranald of Lochaber
Mac Mhic Raonuill
On his succession to the chiefship

…………

Have you not wondered why there are shouts of joy
That you have heard?
They are the happy rejoicing of our friends

After many years of struggle, anguish and rebuffs
The men are no longer as hinds without their stag
Or lambs without their shepherd
The Lyon has at long last recognised
That Raonuill Mac 'ic Raonuill of the yellow shirt
And singing voice is their true chief

We knew it all along
As a mother knows that she will bring forth her child
Or the captain that he will bring his ship safely home
But the blessed relief is a time for joy!

For one hundred and fifty six years
The Keppie have been like the twelve tribes
Wandering in the wilderness
But at last they have found their Moses, their Joshua

He is a bountiful man the true heir
Of the dearbh fine of Mac 'ic Raonuill
The true descendant of the Lords of the Isles
And Conn of the Hundred Battles

He lays before the deaf the sound of music
The song of the birds and their loved ones
The chilled no long huddle from the cold
As they rejoice in the warmth that he offers them
Have you not wondered why that there are shouts of joy
That you have heard?