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Stewart of Appin Clan

Stewart of Appin Clan Crest: A unicorn's head.

Stewart of Appin Clan Motto: Quhidder Wil Zie (Whither will ye).

History of Clan Stewart of Appin:
The Appin Stewarts are the descendants of Sir James Stewart of Perstoun, grandson of Alexander Stewart, 4th High Steward of Scotland.  Sir James's grandson, John Stewart of Innermeath, married the heiress to the Lordship of Lorne around the year 1836.

Sir John Stewart, 3rd Lord of Lorne, was murdered at Dunstaffnage Castle in Argyll in 1463 by a group of disaffected MacDougalls, supported by the Campbells of Argyll. Dugald, his son, however, consolidated his strength in Appin and on Lismore, and is considered the first Chief of the Stewarts of Appin. From the five sons of the 3rd Chief of Appin come the Stewarts of Achnacone, Ardsheal, Fasnacloich, Glengarry, and Invernahyle.

The Stewarts of Appin fought for the Jacobite Cause at the Battle of Sheriffmuir in 1715, and were attainted for treason. Charles Stewart of Ardsheal led the men of Appin at the Battle of Culloden in 1745 where 92 clansmen were among the dead.

Perhaps the most notorious episode associated with the Clan is the Appin Murder which was immortalised by the writer Robert Louis Stevenson in his novel Kidnapped. In 1752, Colin Campbell of Glenure, known as 'The Red Fox,' was made factor of the forfeited Stewart estates and was shot while going about his business.  Afterwards, James Stewart, half-brother of the Appin Chief, was convicted and hanged for the killing, although he was widely held to be innocent.

Places of Interest:
Lochindorb, or Loch of the Trout, Inverness-shire. An island fortress built by the Comyns, this became famous as the stronghold of Alexander Stewart, Wolf of
Badenoch (1342-1406), son of Robert II, ancestor to many of the periphery Stewart branches.

Ballachulish, Argyll. This is associated with the Appin Murder in 1752 for which James Stewart of Acharn was executed for 'art and part' in the murder of Colin Campbell of Glenure, the King's factor on the forfeited Ardsheal estate.

Castle Stalker, Appin, Argyll. Fifteenth century off-shore stronghold of the Stewarts of Appin. It was built by Duncan Stewart, 2nd Laird of Appin, but fell into disrepair in the 18th century.  It was restored by its new owners during the 1960s.

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