MacDonells of Glengarry trace their ancestry back through Donald of Isla, founder of Clan Donald, to Somerled, original King of the Isles. In the mid 14th century, Ranald became the first chief of Clanranald and Glengarry. The name went through a number of changes over the centuries - Ranaldsoune and MacAlister in the 16th century, then MacDonald in the 17th. When Angus became a peer in 1660, taking the title of Lord MacDonell and aros, the Glengarry family adopted the name MacDonell.
The clan territory was extensive. They held vast tracts of the mainland stretching from Loch Oich andLoch Lochy in the east to Knoydart and Morar in the west, as well as the Uist, Harris and the Small Isles.Later they acquired additional lands around Loch Carron and Loch Broom.
The ruins of Invergarry Castle stand on Creagan an Fhithich, the Rock of the Raven, for many centuries the gathering place of the clan. There is evidence of at least 2 earlier castles on this site but until the loss of the Castle of Strome in the early 17th century, the main residence seems to have been at various times in Sleismenane, a site in Glengarry, now lost, in Morar and Strome.
The first recorded Castle was built shortly after the destruction of the clan stronghold, Strome Castle, in about 1607. The history of Glengarry had long been a turbulent one. The MacDonells were accustomed to war, sometimes fighting with the Crown and sometimes against, often raiding a neighbour's territory or defending their own. They gained a reputation as the instigators of insurrection in the north with the result that as soon as they set up a fort or a stronghold, an expedition was sent to occupy or demolish it and they rarely inhabited any of their castles for a period of much more than 25 years at a stretch.
As civil war engulfed the newly United Kingdom, the MacDonells of Glengarry, like most Highland chiefs, became staunchly royalist. Like their neighbours, the Camerons of Locheil, they were also fiercely loyal to the Roman Catholic church, then under attack from protestant Covenanters in the south. So, inevitably, Angus MacDonell aligned himself with the royalist Montrose. The Macdonell contingent followed Montrose throughout his successful campaigns, fighting'with distinction' at Inverlochy, at the taking of Dundee and at the Battle of Auldearn. Angus continued to fight for the royalist cause long after it was effectively lost, entertaining Montrose at the Castle in 1646, finally conceding defeat in 1658.
The MacDonells paid a high price for their royalist sympathies. The lands of Knoydart and Invergarry were raided by the Covenantors after the defeat at Philiphaugh in 1645. Angus suffered several periods of imprisonment and in 1654 General Monk, despatched by Cromwell to 'reduce the Highland chiefs', finding that Invergarry Castle had been burned the day before his arrival, ordered that the remaining structure 'bee defaced by the Pyoneers'.
In the midst of this turmoil, a shortage of priests had led Lord MacDonell to send to Ireland for 2 priests 'for the superintendence of his people'. They arrived from Spain in 1654, just after the . destruction of the castle, to find the chief a fugitive and their flock dispersed. One, a Dermot Grey, did not survive for long in the hostile conditions but his colleague, Francis White, was for many years a valued member of the community, as pastor and founder of the first schools in the glen. After his death his portrait was hung in one of the rooms of the castle, always afterward known as 'Mr White's Room'.
the castle remained in ruins until 1727 when Thomas Rawlinson, an English ironmaster in charge of a smelting company, which operated briefly in the area, repaired and occupied the castle. His life was difficult, to say the least and in 1731 he entered into agreement with Glengarry that the latter would regain possession of his house in return for protecting Rawlinson, his tenants, servants and employees from 'all thefts, incursions, attempts or depradations'. it has been claimed that Rawlinson invented the modern style of kilt during this time, the design being promoted by Glengarry but the claim is rejected by Highland historians.
By 1745 Glengarry was once again in the forefront of the Jacobite campaign, entertaining the prince at Invergarry Castle before Culloden.
'Upon th 19th Augt. The Royal standard was set up in Glenfinnan. On the 26 th his RHs with Clanranald, Locheil's and Keppoch's men, came to laggan Auchentroom where all the Glengarry men conveen'd.'
'HRHs arrived there at 8 o'clock at night, where I had the happiness to kiss his hand, and then marched with him to the castle of Invergarry and had the command of his guard that night.'
'That same day, young Scotus and young and old Barisdale arrived at Auchendroom with your Knoidart and Morar men who made a very handsome appearance before the Prince, completely armed and most of them had targes.'
'The next day the Prince marched from Invergarry to Aberchalder, within six short miles of Corrierick.'
Donald MacDonell of Lochgarry
On his retreat from Culloden, the Prince again stayed at the castle. The party arrived at the house of Drynachan on 17th April 1746, where they rested then went on to Invergarry Castle which was deserted 'without meat, drink, fire or candle, except some firesticks'. Their guide spotted a fishing net and 'catch'd two salmon' for breakfast. After resting there all day, they rode on to Loch Arkaig, to the house of Cameron of Glenspean.
In July 1746, the Prince was again in the area, hiding with his companions in the braes between Loch Arkaig, Loch Quoich, Glengarry and Glenmorriston. He narrowly escaped being captured on several occasion but remained cheerful despite the 'mitches'. 'To prevent him from such troublesome guests, we wrapped him head and feet in his plaid and covered him with heather where he uttered several sighs and groans.
The chief of Glengarry did not escape Cumberland's wrath even after persuading most of his clansmen to deliver up their arms.
On May 29th a party of soldiers arrived at Invergarry and 'first pillaged the dwelling house of Glengarry, burnt it and all his office houses down to the ground and by the indulgence of the Officers who Commanded, there were only given to the Memorialist a Lady and 9 children, two small highland cows, one chest of drawers and six pairs of blankets for their maintenance and support and upon the occasion his whole furniture, plate, books, charter chest and other writes, clothes, or great stocking of cattle of different kinds... Riding horses and in short everything he had was carried away by the Army.'
Glengarry's memorial of 1750
A corner of the castle was blown up with gunpowder and Glengarry 'was threatened with immediate death if he would not prevail on his Tennants of Morar and Knoidart... likewise to surrender.'
The castle was never rebuilt, the ruins still standing on the Rock of the Raven in the grounds of Glengarry Castle Hotel. In 1838, burdened by debt the MacDonnell family were forced to sell off their lands retaining only the castle on its rock and the family burial ground at Kilfinnan. In 1840 Aeneas, the clan chief, emigrated to Australia, later returning to end his days in Knoydart. Although his successors have lived in Scotland, none have returned to live in Glengarry.