John Garbh Maclean, 1st Laird of Coll
John Garbh Maclean, was the 1st Laird of Coll as an independent unit.
Biography
John was the second son of
When John grew into an adult, he gained the sobriquet Garbh, meaning rough, in reference to his gigantic stature and great strength. He was also called John Teomachd, from his cunning and craft.
John's father, Lachlan, was also the grandson of Mary MacDonald, daughter of John of Islay; John's grandfather was thus the cousin of Alexander, the current Lord of the Isles, whose vassals the Macleans were.
Donald MacLean took an armed band to Ardtornish, Alexander's main castle, and demanded a share of the estates Alexander had inherited from John of Islay, on the basis of common descent. After satisfying Alexander's demand that Donald expel the MacMasters[note 2] (with whom Alexander had fallen out) from Ardgour[note 3], Alexander awarded him a charter for Ardgour, and other adjacent lands, which were subsequently confirmed by King James I. Having noticed this, John Garbh decided to try his luck by challenging Alexander in the same way as Donald had; Alexander gave him a charter for:
- Coll (comprising 20 poundlands)
- Quinish (comprising 18 merklands), in Mull
- Loch Eil (comprising 20 poundlands), in Lochaber
- Drimnin and Achalennon (together comprising 6 merklands), in Morvern
King
John Garbh lived feared by his enemies and respected by his friends. He married Isabella, daughter of
Notes
References
This article incorporates text from A history of the clan Mac Lean from its first settlement at Duard Castle, in the Isle of Mull, to the present period: including a genealogical account of some of the principal families together with their heraldry, legends, superstitions, etc, by John Patterson MacLean, a publication from 1889, now in the public domain in the United States.
- ^ a b MacLean, John Patterson (1889). A History of the Clan MacLean from Its First Settlement at Duard Castle, in the Isle of Mull, to the Present Period: Including a Genealogical Account of Some of the Principal Families Together with Their Heraldry, Legends, Superstitions, Etc. R. Clarke & Company., p. 46
- ^ MacLean, John Patterson (1889). A History of the Clan MacLean from Its First Settlement at Duard Castle, in the Isle of Mull, to the Present Period: Including a Genealogical Account of Some of the Principal Families Together with Their Heraldry, Legends, Superstitions, Etc. R. Clarke & Company.