Clan MacPhee Tours of Scotland

Clan MacPhee Tours of Scotland. Colonsay is the ancient home of the Macduffies or Macphees, a branch of Clan Alpine. The early history of the clan is unknown, but Donald Macduffie witnessed a charter at Dingwall in 1463.

The oldest form of this surname is MacDuffie (MacDudh-sithe), and it is so written in a charter which they possessed until the middle of the 17th century.

The clan was prominent in the history of the Western Highlands, and Donald Macfie of Colonsay was one of the twelve principal chiefs who met Bishop Knox of the Isles, the king's representative, at Iona to sign the famous "Status of Iona" where the famous "Statues of Icolmkill" were enacted in 1609.

In 1615, Malcolm Macfie of Colonsay joined in the rebellion of Sir James Macdonald of Islay after his escape from the Castle of Edinburgh. He and eighteen others were later delivered by Coll Kitto Macdonald (Colla Ciotch) to the Earl of Argyll. In 1623 Coll Kitto was charged with the cruel slaughter of Malcolm Macfee.

From this time on, Colonsay appears to have passed into the MacDonalds possession, and afterwards to the Duke of Argyll, who exchanged Colonsay and Oronsay for Crerar, in South Knapdale, with Donald MacNeill. Two of Donald MacNeill's descendants brought fame to Colonsay in terms of law and diplomacy - Lord Colonsay and his brother, the Right honourable Sir John MacNeill, G.C.B.

When the Macphees were dispossessed of their original inheritance they became a "broken clan." Thus losing their independence they were obliged to rank under more powerful clans.

Ewen Macphee , who lived in the middle of the 19th century was famous as the last of the Scottish outlaws. He enlisted in the army, but deserted because of a misunderstanding.

Septs of Clan: Cathie, Duffie, Duffy, Fee, MacCaffie, MacCathie, MacCooish, MacCuish, MacDuffie, MacFee, MacFie, MacGuffie, MacHaffie, MacNicol, MacPhee, MacPhie, MacVee, MacVie.