Siol Murdoch facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Siol Murdoch |
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|---|---|
| Profile | |
| Region | Outer Hebrides |
| District | North Uist |
| Siol Murdoch has no chief, and is an armigerous clan | |
The Siol Murdoch was an old Scottish family. They were part of a larger group called the Clan Donald (or MacDonald). This clan lived in the Scottish Highlands. The name Siol Murdoch comes from Scottish Gaelic. It means "seed of Murdoch". You might also hear them called MacMurchie. This family lived in a place called North Uist.
A Look Back in Time
Rivalry with Siol Gorrie
The Siol Murdoch family had a big rivalry. This happened in the 1300s and 1400s. They were rivals with another family called the Siol Gorrie. The Siol Gorrie were also part of the Clan Donald.
The Siol Gorrie believed they rightfully owned North Uist. But the Siol Murdoch disagreed. This started a long fight between the two groups.
The Siol Murdoch lived in a valley called Hosta. One day, the Siol Gorrie did something tricky. They dug away a soil wall near a loch (a lake). This caused a flood! Many people from Siol Murdoch were killed by the water.
But the survivors fought back. They attacked the Siol Gorrie near a town called Udal. Only one person from Siol Gorrie survived. He found safety in Lochboisdale.
Some people in Uist still talk about this old rivalry. They say they are from the "honourable" Siol Gorrie. They do not want to be linked to the "deceitful" Siol Murdoch. This shows how strong the feelings were back then.
A Gaelic Verse
There is a short Gaelic poem about the Siol Murdoch. It goes like this:
Gu traigh! gu traigh! Siolach a Mhurachaidh, Gu traigh! gu traigh! Siolach a Mhurachaidh, Gu traigh! gu traigh! Siolach a Mhurachaidh, Siol dugh nan car ! Siol dugh nan car ! Siol dugh nan car ! Siol nan cuilichiann or cuiligionn.
In English, this verse means:
To the strand! to the strand! ye seedlings of Murdoch, To the strand! to the strand! ye seedlings of Murdoch, To the strand! to the strand! ye seedlings of Murdoch, The black-hearted seedlings! The black-hearted seedlings! The black-hearted seedlings! The seedlings of Murdoch.
Famous Piper
Angus MacDonald was a member of the Siol Murdoch family. He was from North Uist. He was known as the last piper. He could play the Lament for the Laird of Valley on the Great Highland bagpipes. He could play the whole song perfectly. Angus MacDonald was also a soldier. He fought in the Napoleonic Wars.
