History of the Stewarts | Battles and Historic Events
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The Murder of John Drummond of Drummonderinoch
A gruesome tale of murder and betrayal of hospitality
The poachers ran home to their clansmen who were outraged at the humiliation brought upon their kin by John Drummond. The MacGregors vowed to have their revenge on Drummonderinoch and set out after him. When they found him, they killed him, cut off his head, wrapped his head in their tartan (or something else that identified them as clan tartans were not actually that common at this period) , and headed off to visit Drummond´s sister at Ardvorlich.
When they arrived at Ardvorlich they found Alexander Stewart away and Margaret home alone. They asked for hospitality and were invited in. Margaret quickly brought bread, cheese, and drink, and then went off to the kitchen to prepare a more substantial meal for her guests. While Margaret was out of the room the MacGregors took the severed head of her brother and placed it on the dining table. They then proceeded to stuff her brother´s mouth with the bread and cheese she had brought them.
When Margaret returned to the dining room with the meal for her guests she was greeted by the gruesome severed head of her brother disgraced with her hospitable offerings. Margaret became hysterical and ran from the house into the forest not to be heard from for days. To compound matters, Margaret was pregnant at the time and nearly full-term.
When Alexander returned home, he was distraught and combed the woods for his pregnant wife, but to no avail. Servants claimed to see glimpses of Margaret on the fringes of the forest but then she would disappear into the trees again before anyone could catch her. Eventually she did return home, but with a surprise. According to family legend, while she´d been away in the forest she gave birth to her child, a son, James.
The chief took responsibility for the murder and it was condemned by the Privy Council.
The story is told by Sir Walter Scott in his novel, A Legend of Montrose, under the guise of the house of Darnlinvarach.