Keppoch murders

The Keppoch Murders (Scottish Gaelic: Murt na Ceapaich) is the name given to the murder of Alexander MacDonald, 12th of Keppoch and his brother Ranald, who were murdered in September 1663 by rival claimants to the chieftainship.

The seven killers were eventually hunted down and killed two year later by men sent by MacDonald of Sleat. The bodies were decapitated by Iain Lom who is said to have used the murder weapon for this purpose. He then took his grisly trophies to show to Glengarry who had failed to bring the murderers to book. The well where the heads of the seven murderers were washed before presentation to the Lord MacDonnell of Glengarry is known as Tobar nan ceann in Scottish Gaelic, meaning the 'Well of Heads', and is located not far from Invergarry. In the late 19th century the grave at Inverlair was opened and seven headless skeletons were unearthed, giving credence to the story.[1] [2] [3]

Citations

  1. Donald B. MacCulloch, "Romantic Lochaber" (Lines Publishing. 1996) 201
  2. http://www.electricscotland.com/webclans/m/macdonald/other_keppoch.htm
  3. Donald B. MacCulloch, "Romantic Lochaber" (Lines Publishing, 1996)200-201
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