Official Clan MacTavish Society

                                    since 1997

wife' (J. Cameron, Celtic Law). Their issue had been 'legitimate' under Celtic law, and appear later to have been the natural children, as distinct from bastardi, springing from unformalized connections."

99. CSRSH, Page 301, Page 301 (8): "MacTavish, Thompson, etc. - The MacTavishes, Tasessons, Thompsons, etc. are said to derive their origin from Taus Coir, an illegitimate son of one of the Lords of Lochow, who lived in the days of King Alexander II. Henry White ("Fionn") said: Many of the Argyllshire MacTavishes now make Thomsons of themselves, while others are known as Tawesons. The surnames, MacLehose and MacLaws, are regarded as corrupted forms of Mac-Gille-Thomais - son of the gille or servant of Thomas. There was a strong colony of MacTavishes in Strathglass at an early period. But these repudiate dependency on Clan Campbell, and MacTavish of Dunardrie is Chief of that clan, whilst Thomson of that Ilk on the Border is regarded as a remotely connected or indeterminate connection of he MacTavishes."

99a. We question Dr. Mathews' reference to Tavish Corr in his conquering lands from the Lamonts, Cowall, and that this land would then be added to the Argyll MacDuines. It would seem to us more logical that these lands would have been added to the Sween lands. We base this premise on the fact that his father (Colin Moal Math - Colin MacDuine) was killed in 1110 at Dunstaffnage (while Tavish was still a very young child) and that his mother then had a union with the Chief of the MacLachlans.

100. PHH, PERIOD I - Before 1100, pg. 11: In order to appreciate the relative power of Irish influence at this time, one must remember that Erin at this period, so far from being a "distressful country", was in an enviable position. She reached a state of political consolidation at a comparatively early date. Although the concept of High King or "Ard Ri" did not become a reality until the twelfth century, the government had tended to become centralised from the fifth century onwards. Niall of the Nine Hostages, living in the early fifth century, had established his dynasty at Tara and the lay-out of the remains, although the structures are simple, indicates the existence of a well developed and centralised society. (The chartered lands of the MacTavish - Dun-ArdRigh - stone fort of the High King.)

101. In 1747 James Campbell of Rudale was on the jury that sentenced Stuart of Ardshiel to death for the alleged murder of Campbell. Antiq. Notes I, 248.

102. J. Browne, History of the Highlands, Vol. 4, p. 401, says: "There were three different tenuries of land and nine degrees. Of these the first tenure was called Maeddir, signifying a person that possessed jurisdiction and included three ranks or degrees: ArdRigh, Righ and Maormor. Tavish then was Ard-Righ, and possessed jurisdiction."

103. The Castle itself has now disappeared. Its ruins were visible till last century when a break having taken place in the Crinan Canal, all loose material in the neighbourhood was hastily collected to fill the gap. The neglected remains of Dun-ArdRigh were ruthlessly fastened on, leading of course to the sweeping away of all architectural remains. There is nothing now to mark even its site, beyond a few fruit trees in the corner of a grassy field which was evidently a postion of what had once been a garden. (NOTE: Chief Dugald MacTavish of Dunardry, discovered the remains underwater (the foundation stones) of this castle, in January 1998. He contacted an archeological firm - Western Highlands Archeology - in the area, and size and formation of the castle was confirmed in a survey drawing by this firm.)

104. PONT MANUSCRIPT MAPS: PRINTOUTS FROM DIGITAL IMAGES, PHOTOGRAPHS AND PHOTOCOPIES - At present digital images of Timothy Pont's manuscript maps (produced in the 1580s and 1590s) may be viewed in the Map Library, National Library of Scotland. Please telephone first if you wish to view the images in the Map Library, or require advice about technical requirements, to ensure that staff and equipment will be available (0131-226-4531 ext 3413). Different sizes and qualities of printouts are available; prices quoted do not include VAT or postage/packing and apply until the end of March 2000. Diana Webster, Head of Map Library, National Library of Scotland, 33 Salisbury Place, Edinburgh EH9 1SL

105. GS, pg 262 - Village and parish on south border of Lorn district, Argyleshire. 8 miles north-north-west of Lochgilphead. Duntroon Castle, Carnasserie Castle, and a number of large cairns, Kilmartin House.