Stewart of Appin History

One of the branches of the Stewarts that became most completely integrated in the affairs of the Gaelic west was that of Appin. Sir John Stewart of Bonkyl, son of Alexander, High Steward of Scotland, was the ancestor of this west Highland clan. One of his descendants obtained the Lordship of Lorn through marriage to the heiress of Lorn. Sir John Stewart of Lorn was murdered at Dunstaffnage Castle about 1463 and his son Dougal became 1st of Appin. Dougal unsuccessfully tried to recover the Lordship of Lorn and was supported by the Mac Larens of Balquhidder. He strengthened his possessions of Appin and for several centuries his followers were on terms of friendship with the Mac Larens of Balquhidder.
The first chief of Appin was killed when supporting the Mac Larens. The clan fought at the battle of Flodden (1513) and Pinkie (1547). At Pinkie the clan was led by Donald Stewart of Invernahyle, known as Donald non Ord. They supported Montrose at the battle of Inverlochy and also fought at the battles of Auldearn and Kilsyth. The chief of Appin was outlawed and his lands forfeited, but they were returned to him at the Restoration. The clan joined Dundee' s campaign in 1688 and supported the Jacobites in the Risings of 1715 and 1745. After the Battle of Culloden the banner of the Appin regiment was one of the few saved from destruction. It was in the aftermath that the famous Appin murder occurred, immortalised by Robert Louis Stevenson in Kidnapped.
In 1765 the estate was sold by the 9th chief who was succeeded in the chiefship by his cousin Duncan, 6th of Ardshiel, who became 10th of Appin, in 1769. In 1782 the 10th chief obtained the restoration of his confiscated paternal estate of Ardshiel. The ruined fortress of Castle Stalker, at the entrance to Loch Laich in Appin, once stronghold of the Stewarts of Lorn, passed into Campbell possession but was reacquired by a Stewart.