Stewart of Appin

One of the branches of the Stewarts that became most completely integrated in the affairs of the Gaelic west was that of Appin. Sir John Stewart of Bonkyll, son of Alexander, High Stewart of Scotland, was the ancestor of this west highland Clan. One of his descendants obtained the Lordship of lorn through marriage to the heiress of Lorn. Sir John Stewart of Lorn was murdered at Dunstaffnage castle about 1463 and his son Dougal became the 1st of Appin. Dougal unsuccessfully tried to recover the Lordship of Lorn and was supported by the MacLarens of Balquhidder. He strengthened his possession of Appin, and for several centuries his followers were on terms of friendship with the MacLarens of Balquhidder.

This junior cadet branch of the royal house was soon plunged into highland affairs when Duncan, 2nd of Appin, was appointed Chamberlain of the Isles by James IV. It was he who built Castle Stalker on the Cormorant's Rock in Loch Linnhe, whence the rallying cry of the Stewarts of Appin, "Creag an Sgairbh "- Cormorant's Rock.

The Clan fought at the battle of Flodden (1513) and Pinkie (1547). At Pinkie the Clan was led by Donald Stewart of Invernahyle, known as Donald nam Ord. They supported Montrose at the battle of Inverlochy and also fought at the battles of Auldearn and Kilsyth. The chief of Appin was outlawed and his lands forfeited, but they were restored to him at the Restoration. The Clan joined Dundee's campaign in 1688 and supported the Jacobytes in the risings of 1715 and 1745. After the battle of Culloden the banner of the Appin regiment was one of the few saved from destruction. It was in the aftermath that the famous Appin murder occurred, immortalized by Robert Louis Stevenson in his novel "Kidnapped."

In 1765 the estate was sold by the 9th chief who was succeeded in the chiefship by his cousin Duncan, 6th of Ardshiel, who became the 10th of Appin, in 1796. In 1782 the 10th chief obtained the restoration of his paternal estate of Ardshiel. The ruined fortress of Castle Stalker passed into Campbell possession but was reacquired by a Stewart. Seen from Appin, with the mountains of Mull and Movern in the background, it is one of Scotland's finest sights.