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Duncan Ladasach in the Dewar MSS

Dr Ronnie Black, editor of the journal West Highland Notes & Queries, published in "WHNQ-Series-5-No-16-March-2026" a translation of the lines by an unknown poet found on p. 336 of Dewar MSS 7 in the Argyll Estate Archives, Inveraray..

The translated verses included the following lines

That was Peter and Malcolm
Two outstanding men of the district
etc. Those two were outstanding

And that son of Gregor from Roro
Who was in Glen Lyon by blood-right

O good son of Gregor, son of Peter
May the warriors win you victory.

It struck me that “the good son of Gregor, son of Peter” was Donnchadh Ladasach [1] , a particular thorn in the flesh of Cailean Liath, laird of Glenorchy. [2] My reconstruction of the genealogy is here - https://glendiscovery.com/gregor-genealogy-12.html

Donnchadh eventually fell into the hands of Cailean Liath and was beheaded by him, along with his son Griogar on 15th June 1552. [3] Donnchadh held lands at Corriecharmaig in Glen Lochay, but but also held Ardchoille in Glen Dochart. [4]

Donnchadh is the claimed ancestor of the present-day chiefs of Clan Gregor and “Ardchoille” has replaced “Bad Giuthas” as the slogan of Clan Gregor. (Ladasach’s probable descendant, John Murray, having made money in India, was elected chief of Clan Gregor in 1787 and ennobled by George III as the first Baronet of Lanrick in 1795.)

I note on page 32 of Ronnie’s analysis “Peter and Malcolm were identified by Alasdair Duncan as the sons of Patrick Athallach, who were killed in a fight at the Castle of Leny near Callander in 1626.” However Padrick Athallach was the son of Griogar, executed in 1552, and thus the grandson of Donnchadh Ladasach. So he is therefore later than the original date of these verses which I believe pre-date 1552. Padraig Athallach, (so named because he was raised in Atholl) was executed in January 1604 among the reprisals following the battle of Glen Fruin in 1603. [5]

The dates and locations cited in this discussion all come from the chronicle of James Macgregor, Dean of Lismore. [6]

So why do I believe that Donnchadh Ladasach is being referred to in these verses? The father of Donnchadh Ladasach, according to the Dean, was Gregor Patrickson in Auchinallane “Gregor M'Phatryk V'Gregor” who died on 6th March 1547. Auchinallane is on the northern edge of Mamlorn at the head of Glen Lyon.

Gregor Patrickson’s father was Patrick Macgregor, at Auchinchallane [sic], whose obit was dated July 9 1518. Patrick Malcolmson, the forester of Mamlorn is mentioned in the Exchequer rolls in 1462 and 1463. [7] From his patronymic, that Patrick’s father was Malcolm, believed to be the son of Gregor McAnecham in Glenurquhay (Obit: 1415.) [Auchinallane, Auchinshichallan and Auchinchallane are variants of the same placename. Patrick Macgregor’s residence may have been close to Auch in Strath Fillan – identified as Auch-innis-Challain on the 6th inch map of 1870 - on the western edge of Mamlorn]..

So, reversing the above genealogical sequence we have Malcolm then Patrick (Peter), then Gregor (the father of Donnchadh Lŕdasach). When I reconstructed the genealogy of this line, there are no obits in the Dean’s chronicle for Malcolm, the son of Gregor McAnecham (obit 1415), or for Patrick Malcolmson (the forester in Mamlorn in 1462). Then we have the obit for Patrick in 1518. “Death of Patrick Macgregor, at Auchinchallane”. The verses suggest that Gregor (obit 1547) was the son of Patrick (b.~1430 obit 1518), the son of Malcolm (b~1375-1400) which fits Dewar’s verses.

Mamlorn is the high ground at the head of Glen Lochay and Glen Lyon. It was held by this lineage of Clan Gregor, probably from before its mention in the exchequer rolls of 1462 until at least 1547.


[1] A.G.M.MacGregor, “The History of The Clan Gregor” volume i, chapter IX,
For an account of Donnchadh Ladasach see see https://glendiscovery.com/amelia-vol1-chap9.html

[2] M. MacGregor’s unpublished 1989 thesis.
A more extensive account of Donnchadh Ladasach is in Martin MacGregors's thesis. “Our chief source, a poem in Scots titled Duncane Laideus’ Testament, needs to be treated with extreme caution. It was apparently composed for Donnchadh Dubh, chief of the Glen Orchy kindred between 1583 and 1631, and thus at least a generation after the events it purports to narrate, and at a time when the relationship between the Campbells of Glen Orchy and the MacGregors had altered irretrievably; “The poem recounts the life of Donnchadh Lŕdasach, who belonged to a MacGregor lineage principally associated before 1550 with the forest of Mamlorn and Corrycharmaig in Glen Lochay. Donnchadh’s father was named Pŕdraig, probably the Pŕdraig MacGregor who was apparently tenant of Mamlorn in 1541. According to the poem Donnchadh Lŕdasach became an enormously influential figure within the clan in the period between the death of James V in 1542 and his own execution in 1552. It was at his instigation that the MacGregor chief or chiefs carried out separate raids against the MacLarens of Balquhidder and the Robertsons of Struan (whom Donnchadh Lŕdasach averred to be planning an attack on the MacGregors); and an abortive night-attack upon the Campbells of Glen Orchy themselves, which aimed to pave the way for nothing less than the replacement of the latter by the MacGregors as the dominant kindred within Breadalbane.”

[3] A.G.M.MacGregor, “The History of The Clan Gregor” volume i, chapter IX, page 98.
1552 Interfectio et decapitio Duncani McGregor et filiorum eius vidilicet Gregori et Malcolmi Roy per Colinum Campbell de Glenurquhay et per Duncaniim Roy Campbell de Glenlyon et Allexandrum Menzheis de Rannoch cum suis complicibus quo die Joannes Gour McDuncan VcAllexandrum Kayr fuit interfectus per Alexandrum Menzies de apud . . . . . . in mense Junii vidilicet xvi anno Domini ave M.V. Lij.

[4] Highland Papers Vol IV, Campbell of Strachur writs, page 32
12 Oct 1551 - Notarial Instrument by Duncan Makgregor Mcphatrick, Grigor Duncanson McGregor and Johne Duncanson McGregor, sons to the said Duncan, relating to the lands of Vestir Ardquhille Voir extending to a five pound land in the barony of Glenfalloch

[5] A.G.M.MacGregor “The History of The Clan Gregor”, volume i, chapter 26, page 318.
At https://glendiscovery.com/amelia-vol1-chap26.html. According to Pitcairn, Five persons executed were executed on January 20 – [including]. Patrick Aldoch MacGregour of Corriechrambie, younger brother of Duncan Abroch and grandson of Duncan Laddosach

[6] For the Dean of Lismore’s Chronicle see https://glendiscovery.com/chronicle.html

[7] The Exchequer Rolls of Scotland, Vol VII, 1460-1469, 1884.
Page 112. Anno 1462 - “Et Eidem, per solucionem factam Patricio Malcomesone, forestario de Mamlorne”. There is a similar entry for 1463 but in subsequent years Mamlorne is mentioned but not the name of the forester.