Clan Mac Alister - History of The Clan - 17th Century

17th Century

In 1603, Campbell of Auchinbreck and Archibald MacAlister, heir apparent of MacAlister of Tarbert, took part in an invasion of Bute. The force consisted of 1200 men and when it arrived on the island, first ravaged the property of a widow named Marion Stewart, and her lands of Wester Kames. The raiders then moved onto the land sof Ninian Stewart, Sheriff of Bute, committing similar atrocities. In consequence of the raid, the leaders were summoned to appear before the Council, yet failed to appear and were ordered to be denounced as rebels. In 1605, the Privy Council ordered Archibald MacAlister of Loups and John MacAlister, tutor of Loup to appear and produce evidence of their infeftments and rentals, under the pain of having their titles declared void. A. and A. Macdonald state that MacAlister of Loup was one of the few to attend and that he got titles from Argyll for his lands that year.

In 1614, Alexander was supposed to have supported his feudal superior, Argyll, in the capture of Dunyveg Castle. However, when he arrived on the scene he sided with the leader of the insurgents, Angus Og Macdonald. Because of his support of the rebels he was also punished. At his trial he was found guilty of treason and hung. The years between 1614 and 1623 were uneventful for the leading family of the clan. In 1623, a bond of caution was signed on the behalf of Godfrey MacAlister of Tarbet, pledging that he would not molest the family and followers of Archibald Stewart of Castlemilk, John Shaw of Greenock, Ferlie of that Ilk, John Crawford of Kilbirnie, John Brenshaw of Bishoptown, and James Crawford of Flatterton. For sometime, Godfrey, who was son of the chief of MacAlister of Tarbet, raided the lands of the mentioned Lowland landowners. He is also recorded the same year as having to find caution for himself and Ronald Roy MacAlister for 3000 and 500 merks not to molest the following landowners and their families: Walter MacAulay of Ardincaple, Malcolm MacNaughtane of Stronseir, Robert Colhoun, fiar of Cumstrodone, and Dougal Campbell in Mamoir. A. and A. Macdonald made note of a serious quarrel between Godfrey MacAlister of Tarbet and Walter MacAulay of Ardincaple, chief of Clan MacAulay. Both Tarbert and Ardincaple claimed to be depute to the Admiral of the Western Seas; and the two Macdonald considered that Ardincaple had been ousted in favour of Tarbert. In 1623, a bond of caution was registered by Hector MacNeill of Kilmichell and John Lamont of Achagyll of 3,000 merks for Godrey MacAlister of Tarbert, and of 1,000 merks each for another four of his followers, not to molest Walter MacAulay of Ardincaple and his family. A. and A. Macdonald unsure of the outcome of this particular quarrel, stating: "As often happens regarding Highland quarrels and delinquencies, the records leave us enquiring wonderingly, and failing to answer the question, how this matter was settled, if it was settled at all".

In 1631, Archibald MacAlister of Tarbet visited William Alexander, 1st Earl of Stirling and acknowledged him as his chief. This was despite the fact the MacAlisters of Loup are today considered the chiefs of the clan. In 1689, a French ship which had sailed from Ireland reached Kintyre and was taken by MacAlister of Loup and Angus Campbell of Kilberry. The two lairds put the ship under guard and wrote to Argyll, who was attending the Convention of the Estates, asking for instructions as to what to do with it. According to A. and A. Macdonald, there is evidence to suggest that members of Clan MacAlister, possibly under their chief, took part in the Battle of Killiecrankie.