Scottish/Irish history and Clans

The premier Scottish web site for this information is :-
Electric Scotland run by a team of Scots. The site contains over 20,000 pages on Scottish & Irish history and Clans. A most interesting and informative site, especially for all those seeking in depth cultural and historical information on their personal cultural and historical roots in Scotland. Our clan is recorded and the details of our Keppoch Chief are highlighted on the same site.

www.electricscotland.com

Everything about Scotland

On this very important site you will be able to find if not all, but most of the information that you seek on Scotland, either as a visitor or as an interested party. Have a look. You will find it most rewarding. For instance, you will find 12,000 related links and 3,000 web page features on Scotland and Scots, as well as a weekly updates on the main Scottish news, poetry and Scottish humour.

www.rampantscotland.com

Gaelic

For those looking for a wide range of Gaelic cultural and educational links and for those with computer sound facilities, this is an excellent site for learning our Gaelic language as it should be spoken.

Gaelic Learners Material Online - Sabhal Mor Ostaig

Genealogical Information

Your Chief personally recommends the following gentleman, who is one of the most sought after Genealogist in the world today. For those clans folk who are serious about seeking expert advice on their family roots, Mr Hugh Peskett is the very best in his particular field. He it was, who did the research for your present Chief viz, He can be contacted on ;

enquiries@hugh.peskett.co.uk

Supporters Corner

For all those wishing to support the present Chief and his supporters, you can leave your personal contact details here, together with your offers of help and suggestions to further develop this site, and expand the influence of your clan world-wide. Authorised Keppoch branches is one way of expanding our horizons. This will be borne in mind locally after our Chief has been presented with his Letters Patent and Ensigns Armorial in 2006. That will take place in the oighreachd ( the Clan lands in Lochaber ) at a special Presentation Ceremony in Fort William. As we go to print . our Chief's Letters Patent and Armorial Ensigns are in the hands of the Lyon Court Limner ( the Lyon Court Painter )

Meantime, the Chief is willing to authorise new branches globally, where there is sufficient support for one. E-mail:

chief@macdonaldofkeppoch.org

"MOUNTAIN MAN"

Your chief has inherited the bardic gift so widespread in the Keppoch Clan. His CD is avilable on request, which features a full album of tradional scottish folk songs written and sung by the chief.

Historical connections :
Many of the ballads are compostions of your Chief Ranald., including the lyrics and the music. Some in fact, are commemorative of historic events in Scottish history eg, 'The Highbridge Rout' c1745. The epic incident that took place at the High Bridge in Keppoch territory, is relived in song and verse. It records the fact, that the MacDonalds of Keppoch of the Clan Ranald of Lochaber, was the first clan to take up arms in the '45'. They were also the last clan in Scotland to lay down their arms. Major Donald MacDonald cousin to Alasdair MacColla 17th Chief of Keppoch, with a small band of Keppoch MacDonalds, routed Captain Scot of Scotstarvet and his platoon of well trained soldiers at the Highbridge, before the Royal Standard was raised at Glenfinnan that afternoon. He took charge of Captain Scot's horse, and presented it to the Prince the same afternoon. The Prince rode this during the '45' Campaign. And while the Prince was at Roybridge, Lady Keppoch presented him with a Keppoch MacDonald feile-beag ( kilt ) which she had personally hand woven for him. The Prince was a distant cousin of the Chief.

'Colla nam Bo' 16th Chief of Keppoch. This is an eulogical poem set to music of that colourful martial man, who defeated the MacIntosh Clan at Mulroy in the duchas ( clan lands ) in 1688. The last clan battle in Scotland. Coll with his clan 'took the hill on them', as our pipe march records. MacIntosh offered Coll a restoration of his usurped duchas by a MacIntosh charter. Coll steadfastly refused saying to MacIntosh, "I will not hold by sheepskin title, what I have won by the sword today!". Typical of the man. But he did hold it from then on.

'The Red Lion of Scotland' a stirring rousing ballad, inspiring Scots to take charge of their own destiny once more. That has to a great extent happened today, with devolution and our own Scottish parliament in our capital city of Edinburgh.

For a change of tone and pace 'The Wild Mountain Thyme' is a nice easy flowing ballad of young love, in an enchanting rendition of the original song, complete with Celtic clarsach accompaniment. For clansmen and others. Well worth a listen.

Gilleasbuig Lachlainn 'Illeasbuig
Ceapach Bard