Station 12 - Iain Ciar MacDougall - 1715 Jacobite Rebellion
Here you will see the grave of Iain Ciar MacDougall, an important clan chief of the MacDougall’s during the early 18th century. Iain Ciar means “Dark John” in Gaelic and gives us a clue to the appearance of this intriguing figure.
Iain was one of the leaders of the Jacobite uprising of 1715 and following the inconclusive Battle of Sheriffmuir, he went on the run to Ireland and then France but later returned to Scotland in 1719 during the resurgence of the Jacobite movement. During his absence, his wife Mary MacDonald of Sleat was forced out of their home at Dunollie Castle and made to live a meagre life of exile on the island of Kerrera. Iain was pardoned and the couple were allowed to return to Dunollie in 1727 but they were forced to live as tenants beneath the landowning
Clan Campbell. In 1737 Iain died and was buried at Kilbride. Following his death, The MacDougalls constructed a memorial chapel around the graves of the couple and the burial ground at Kilbride has remained significant to the Clan to this day.
To the right you will see both their graves. Iain’s headstone was engraved with three images: The torch: a symbol of knowledge, The sand timer: a symbol of time and the crossbones: a symbol of death. Together these serve as a visual reminder to the viewer to ‘have knowledge that death is sure, time is running out and judgement is coming’.
When you are ready please walk through the burial aisle and turn to your right through the exit where you will find several gravestones which are the next stop along the tour.
To move on to the next station click here
This audio clip was read by Sam McManus-Shanks.
