| Notes |
- Tradition tells us that in 1445, while returning to his seat at Dunstaffnage castle from the great cattle tryst at Crieff, Sir John met and fell in love with the daughter of MacLaren of Ardveich. Although married, he began an affair with his new love which, one year later, produced a son. He was christened Dugald and was to be the first Chief of the Stewarts of Appin.
After the death of his first wife, Sir John waited, for reasons we are unaware of today, for 5 years until setting up the marriage between himself and Dugald's mother, but it may have had something to do with the politics of the day. In 1463, Sir John set a wedding date and sent for Dugald and his mother to come to Dunstaffnage. Unknown to Sir John, there was a plot to kill the Lord of Lorn. It is not fully known, but it is thought to have been set up by the Lord of the Isles who was in a power struggle with the King of Scots, and who saw it as being in his best interest to neutralize this powerful and loyal representative of the King in the west highlands. The other plotters, which some feel included Colin Campbell, Lord Argyll, Sir John's son-in-law, were primarily represented by Alan MacCoul, the illegitimate grandson of an earlier MacDougall Chief. As the lightly armed wedding party made it's way from Dunstaffnage to the small chapel located approximately 180 yards from the castle walls, they were attacked by a superior force lead by Alan MacCoul. Although better armed, MacCoul's force was defeated, but not before mortally wounding Lord of Lorn. Sir John was rushed into the chapel and MacCoul and his henchmen ran into and occupied the deserted Dunstaffnage. With his last breath Sir John married Dugald's mother, legitimizing him and making him the de jure Lord of Lorn. After receiving the last rites, Sir John expired and a new chapter in west highland history was opened. (Electric Scotland)
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Abt 1410 - 1463 (~ 53 years)
