MACDONELL, Giles of Keppoch ^{1 2}

   Other names for Giles were Sile na Ceapaich,¹ MACDONELL, Geillis,¹ MACDONELL, Gillis of Keppoch ³ and McDONELL, Sileas.⁴

  General Notes:

Sileas was a gifted poet, writing in Gaelic.

"This lady has left a great name as a poetess, of whom Mrs Grant, of Laggan, in her letters says :

The enthusiasm with which her character was deeply tinged, seems to have been not only poetical, but heroic, patriotic, and in a very high degree devotional. She was a Catholic too, and took every advantage that a religion so pompous and picturesque offered to embellish her poetry with the peculiar imagery it afforded. The hymns and sacred rhapsodies of Sheelah (her Gaelic name) are still the consolation and delight of all pious Highland Catholics.' It is indeed pleasing to note the sterling qualities of this good Catholic lady of two hundred years ago, and to remember that her descendants, who still remain true to the faith which was hers, had been so closely connected with
the building of the present church."

from The Catholic Highlands of Scotland ⁴

Giles married Alexander GORDON of Tirriesoule and Camdell, 7th of Beldorney, son of James GORDON of Tilliesoul and Jean ANDERSON, about 1685. (Alexander GORDON of Tirriesoule and Camdell, 7th of Beldorney was born about 1655, died in 1714 ⁵ and was buried in Mortlach parish, Banffshire, Scotland ⁴.)