MacQueen

The Clan MacQueen came to be associated with Stafainn on account of a marriage between a daughter (Nighean Chathain) of the Irish chief, O’ Cathan and Angus, ‘Lord of Trotternish’ who was a son of the Lord of the Isles. The MacQueen in this tale was part of the bride’s human dowry, having been specially selected by O’ Cathan. Like the clan Donald, MacQueen is descended from the Irish hero, Conn of the Hundred Battles. According to the Rev Alex MacGregor, parish minister of Kilmuir round about 1850, the MacQueens occupied the Garadh fhada for three hundred years. One branch of the family held the lands of Rig and Tot a rom for some time. Their rent, payable to MacDonald of Sleat, was a specified number of salmon. One of the Rig MacQueens - Alasdair Òg mac na Caillich - was reputedly very strong and in a wrestling match he killed an Irish champion. The defeated party was buried at Rudh’ an Eireannaich near Broadford. MacQueen is alleged to at one time have been MacSuibhne.

There are several versions of Macqueen. A family of MacCowans lived in Geàros. They were Uilleam and Catriona/Murdo Pheadar Mhacowan. A number of MacCowans changed their names to MacDonald. Lachie Gillies of Stoighseall remembers that Geàros family. And it was a Rev MacCowan who first wrote The Men of Skye. Ruairidh, an uncle of Lachie Gillies, was with Rev MacCowan in the Raasay Manse, and the minister had a huge collection of books in his library - the second biggest collection in Scotland. The minister’s people belonged to Camustianavaig, having left from Totescore at one time.

Cho glic ri sagairt is eallach leabhraichean air
As wise as a priest with a bundle of books on his back

A very unflattering rhyme did the rounds once regarding Clann ic Cuthain. It related apparently to their pagan customs. It goes:

Another version of the above (in Mackenzie’s) goes Clann ic Cuithen dubh...)

Baile Mhic Cuithein is the town of MacCowan. Much of the life blood of Clan Ic Cuithein is said to now be absorbed into the Clan Donald.