Dunyvaig Castle - Rebellion & execution
It was while Sir James was away in prison that his father signed away his lands to Campbell of Calder (aka Cawdor), with whom he had formed some sort of alliance (and to whose daughter Sir James was married). It is believed that Calder deliberately ingratiated himself with Angus MacDonald, and then equally deliberately gave him bad advice, knowing that he was likely to be the ultimate beneficiary. If so, it was a clever and ultimately successful ploy!
Sir James married Margaret Campbell of Calder, and although there are references to a proposed divorce in the year 1621, after Sir James' return from abroad, they seem to have been a devoted couple. “He frequently refers to Margaret in his letters, and she at his trial in 1607, exerted herself vigorously to get Mr. John Russell, Advocate, to appear for her husband, going to him personally, and making protest at his declinature. Sir James had to defend himself, notwithstanding a warrant by the Lords of Secret Council allowing Counsel to appear for him; and to his eternal disgrace, and contrary to universal custom and etiquette of the bar, the said Mr. John Russell refused to appear. Sir James was found guilty and sentenced to death. The sentence was not carried into effect, and Sir James who had already been confined for upwards of two years, first in Blackness and afterwards in Edinburgh, lingered in prison until 1615.”
While in prison, he wrote numerous letters, many of which still survive, to try to garner support for his cause from the rich and powerful, and promising to give Dunyvaig Castle to anyone that would support him, so long as the castle did not end up in the hands of the Campbells!
In 1610 a great rebellion of the Clan Donald took place, which was to last until 1615. The castle of Dunivaig, having been occupied for the previous three years by the Bishop of the Isle’s garrison, was recaptured by Angus Oig MacDonald, one of Sir James MacDonald’s younger brothers. The bishop tried, but failed to recover it.
“Sir James MacDonald, after one attempt to escape, which failed in consequence of his being kept in irons, whereby he fell and was injured, finally escaped in May, 1615. Information had been conveyed to him that the time was favourable for his re-appearance, and he having also heard that the King had secretly given the Earl of Argyll power to carry out the old sentence (of execution), made a determined and successful attempt to escape.”
Once free and on the run, Sir James naturally headed for the western isles, which, despite the best efforts of the combined forces of the Earls of Tullibardine and Huntly to apprehend him, he duly managed to reach, whereupon he raised the Islesmen in rebellion once again.
Landing in Islay, Sir James MacDonald quickly succeeded in recapturing Dunivaig Castle, “partly by a stratagem”. (Whether his brother Angus Oig had lost it in the meantime, or whether the separate capture of the castle by the two brothers was actually the same event, I don’t know. The latter I suspect.) Taking up residence there, he set about the task of expelling the followers of Campbell of Cawdor that had settled on the island. Knowing that his enemies had more friends in high places than he, he also petitioned the king and government to allow him and his followers to remain on their ancient lands on Islay. His pleas had no apparent effect and the Privy Council ordered Archibald, 7th Earl of Argyll, to mobilise his Campbells and undertake the recapture of Islay.
Fearing that Dunyvaig would not be tenable, Sir James greatly strengthened the old castle on the isle of Loch Gorm by building an earthen rampart to protect it from artillery, as well as another strength called Dunand (which would appear to be the ancient rock-top fort of Dun Athad, on the south coast of The Oa).
When at length the Campbells landed on Islay, Sir James Macdonald was speedily driven out by the superior forces arrayed against him, and his followers mercilessly pursued and hunted down. Sir James’ brother Angus, who had remained behind in command of Dunyvaig, faced with artillery brought in by the Campbells, surrendered the castle in July 1615, on the promise that his life would be spared. On marching out however, the Campbells seized him anyway, tried him and hung from the castle walls! While Sir James managed to escape to Spain, his castles and lands were all delivered over once again, and this time finally, to the keeping of Sir John Campbell of Cawdor.
It would rather appear that Sir James' appeals to the King, formerly referred to, were never forwarded. After several years exile, and perhaps after the king had been informed of the true state of affairs back in 1615, he was recalled by King James from Spain, received into favour, and a handsome pension given him. He was however, never allowed to return to Scotland again, and his history from 1616 until his death in 1626, remains obscure.
“Leaving no legitimate male issue, the house of Dunivaig and the Glens become extinct, and the representation of the family was claimed by the Earl of Antrim, who desired to acquire both Islay and Kintyre.”
Dunyvaig Castle - Rebellion & execution
It was while Sir James was away in prison that his father signed away his lands to Campbell of Calder (aka Cawdor), with whom he had formed some sort of alliance (and to whose daughter Sir James was married). It is believed that Calder deliberately ingratiated himself with Angus MacDonald, and then equally deliberately gave him bad advice, knowing that he was likely to be the ultimate beneficiary. If so, it was a clever and ultimately successful ploy!
Sir James married Margaret Campbell of Calder, and although there are references to a proposed divorce in the year 1621, after Sir James' return from abroad, they seem to have been a devoted couple. “He frequently refers to Margaret in his letters, and she at his trial in 1607, exerted herself vigorously to get Mr. John Russell, Advocate, to appear for her husband, going to him personally, and making protest at his declinature. Sir James had to defend himself, notwithstanding a warrant by the Lords of Secret Council allowing Counsel to appear for him; and to his eternal disgrace, and contrary to universal custom and etiquette of the bar, the said Mr. John Russell refused to appear. Sir James was found guilty and sentenced to death. The sentence was not carried into effect, and Sir James who had already been confined for upwards of two years, first in Blackness and afterwards in Edinburgh, lingered in prison until 1615.”
While in prison, he wrote numerous letters, many of which still survive, to try to garner support for his cause from the rich and powerful, and promising to give Dunyvaig Castle to anyone that would support him, so long as the castle did not end up in the hands of the Campbells!
In 1610 a great rebellion of the Clan Donald took place, which was to last until 1615. The castle of Dunivaig, having been occupied for the previous three years by the Bishop of the Isle’s garrison, was recaptured by Angus Oig MacDonald, one of Sir James MacDonald’s younger brothers. The bishop tried, but failed to recover it.
“Sir James MacDonald, after one attempt to escape, which failed in consequence of his being kept in irons, whereby he fell and was injured, finally escaped in May, 1615. Information had been conveyed to him that the time was favourable for his re-appearance, and he having also heard that the King had secretly given the Earl of Argyll power to carry out the old sentence (of execution), made a determined and successful attempt to escape.”
Once free and on the run, Sir James naturally headed for the western isles, which, despite the best efforts of the combined forces of the Earls of Tullibardine and Huntly to apprehend him, he duly managed to reach, whereupon he raised the Islesmen in rebellion once again.
Landing in Islay, Sir James MacDonald quickly succeeded in recapturing Dunivaig Castle, “partly by a stratagem”. (Whether his brother Angus Oig had lost it in the meantime, or whether the separate capture of the castle by the two brothers was actually the same event, I don’t know. The latter I suspect.) Taking up residence there, he set about the task of expelling the followers of Campbell of Cawdor that had settled on the island. Knowing that his enemies had more friends in high places than he, he also petitioned the king and government to allow him and his followers to remain on their ancient lands on Islay. His pleas had no apparent effect and the Privy Council ordered Archibald, 7th Earl of Argyll, to mobilise his Campbells and undertake the recapture of Islay.
Fearing that Dunyvaig would not be tenable, Sir James greatly strengthened the old castle on the isle of Loch Gorm by building an earthen rampart to protect it from artillery, as well as another strength called Dunand (which would appear to be the ancient rock-top fort of Dun Athad, on the south coast of The Oa).
When at length the Campbells landed on Islay, Sir James Macdonald was speedily driven out by the superior forces arrayed against him, and his followers mercilessly pursued and hunted down. Sir James’ brother Angus, who had remained behind in command of Dunyvaig, faced with artillery brought in by the Campbells, surrendered the castle in July 1615, on the promise that his life would be spared. On marching out however, the Campbells seized him anyway, tried him and hung from the castle walls! While Sir James managed to escape to Spain, his castles and lands were all delivered over once again, and this time finally, to the keeping of Sir John Campbell of Cawdor.
It would rather appear that Sir James' appeals to the King, formerly referred to, were never forwarded. After several years exile, and perhaps after the king had been informed of the true state of affairs back in 1615, he was recalled by King James from Spain, received into favour, and a handsome pension given him. He was however, never allowed to return to Scotland again, and his history from 1616 until his death in 1626, remains obscure.
“Leaving no legitimate male issue, the house of Dunivaig and the Glens become extinct, and the representation of the family was claimed by the Earl of Antrim, who desired to acquire both Islay and Kintyre.”