STEWART, Duncan 2nd of Appin, King's Chamberlain of the Isles ¹

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  General Notes:

"Duncan Stewart, eldest son of Dugald Stewart, first of Appin, succeeded his father in the £40 land of Appin on his death in 1497. At this time the Western Highlands and Islands were much disturbed by the attempts of the representatives of the old Lords of the Isles to revive their pretensions to independent power. James IV., who was born in 1473, and succeeded his father in 1488, made frequent journeys to the West Highlands, and thus became acquainted with Duncan of Appin, who was a bold and energetic man. The King recognised him as his kinsman, appointed him to the office of King's Chamberlain of the Isles, and bestowed on him large grants of lands, which will be enumerated hereafter.

The King also compelled Sir Duncan Campbell of Glenorchy to restore to Duncan Stewart the third part of Appin, and the lands in Lismore which Glenorchy's father, Sir Colin, had received out of the inheritance of Dugald, only son of Sir John Stewart, Lord of Lorn. [....]

In 1501 Sir Duncan Campbell of Glenorchy, no doubt under pressure from the King, made to Duncan Stewart of Appin the abovementioned restitution of the one-third part of Appin, which Glenorchy had received in 1470, comprehending the eight merk land of Candlochlagane, the two merk land of Auchichoskrachan, the two merk land of Finalten, the four merk land of Auchnagen, the three merk land of Inverahawle, the one merk land of Corrylone, besides Eilan Stalcaire and some other lands. In the same year Sir Duncan also gave up to Appin the twenty shilling land of Port Carrane in Lismore, which probably included the northern part of the island opposite Appin. Both these grants were in favour of Duncan Stewart and the heirs of his body, with remainder to his brothers Alan and Robert. This is the only mention of Robert in the history of the clan, nor is there any record of his marriage. If he had had legitimate issue there seems no reason to doubt that he would have received from the Chief a grant ofland suitable to his position, as was then the invariable custom in the Highland families. It has been conjectured that a sept of the Stewarts known as the M'Robbs, of whom an account is afterwards given, are descended from an illegitimate son of this Robert, but no certainty exists on the point.

from The Stewarts of Appin ¹