Origins There are two main theories as to the origins of the Clan: • That the founder of the clan, Donn(a)chadh (Duncan) was the second son of
Angus MacDonald,
Lord of the Isles. • That the Robertsons are lineal descendants of the Celtic
Earls of Atholl, whose progenitor was King
Duncan I (
Donnchadh in Scottish Gaelic). The Collins
Scottish Clan & Family Encyclopedia supports this theory.
Wars of Scottish Independence The clan's first recognised chief, Donnchadh
Reamhar, "Stout Duncan", son of Andrew de Atholia (
Latin "Andrew of
Atholl"), was a minor land-owner and leader of a kin-group around
Dunkeld, Highland
Perthshire, and as legend has it, an enthusiastic and faithful supporter of
Robert I (king 1306–29 aka Robert the Bruce) during the
Wars of Scottish Independence; he is believed to have looked after King Robert after the
Battle of Methven in 1306. The clan asserts that Stout Duncan's relatives and followers (not yet known as Robertsons) supported Robert the Bruce at the
Battle of Bannockburn in 1314. His descendants became known (in English or
Scots) as the Duncansons, or
Gaelic Clann Dhonnchaidh, "Children of Duncan". Duncan is believed to have been killed at the
Battle of Neville's Cross and was succeeded by Robert, from whom the Clan Robertson takes its name. The fighting force of Clan Donnachaidh was estimated at 700 men in 1745. After the defeat of the
Jacobite rising of 1745 the Robertson lands became part of the Forfeited Estates, although most were returned to the then chief, another Alexander Robertson, in 1784, after it became clear that the Central Highlands were wholly pacified. • In 1845, the Glencalvie or Croick clearance, executed by the factor James Gillander on behalf of William Robertson, sixth laird of Kindeace. • In 1854, the Greenyards clearance, sometimes known as the Massacre of the Rosses. This was also carried out by James Gillander on behalf of Major Charles Robertson—son of William. The Clearances upon the Clan Robertson lands are also important to the history of
Scottish Gaelic literature. In Sutherland,
Eòghainn MacDhonnchaidh (
Ewan Robertson, (1842–1895) of
Tongue was called "the Bard of the Clearances"; sheep") mocking, among others, the
Duchess of Sutherland and
Patrick Sellar. The song has been recorded by notable singers
Julie Fowlis and
Kathleen MacInnes. There is a monument to Robertson in Tongue. Only the family vault at
Dunalastair is still in the possession of the family of Struan; however, many modern properties have been added to the clan land. The title Baron of Struan is still transferred through Dunalastair. ==Clan castles==