Deor and Dewar

[Canadian Livingstone]

Hi Kin, Quick question. I have noticed that the Barons of Bachuil are referred to as both Deors and Dewars. I was wondering if this is the same word. Alexander Carmichael in the notes to his book "Carmina Gadelica" referred to the custodian of the Staff of St. Molaug as a "Deor" and almoner, but the Barons are also referred in other articles to as "Dewars" or coarbs. Can anyone tackle this one. regards Donald (Livingstone) Clink

[Bachuil]

Dear Donald, These simple questions have massively complex answers. An Deor is simply gaelic for 'the almoner' and the Barons of Bachuil were at one time in recent history known as such, the site of the old house known as Larach tigh nan Deora. Dewar is a surname that derives from the gaelic. The latin for almoner is eleemosynarius and our so-called charter of confirmation mentions that the grant is confirmed in puram et liberam elimosynam which translates literally into

[Canadian Livingstone]

Hi Niall, Thanks for clarifying that. I suspect there are a number of highland clans whose ancestors were lay abbots of the early church prior to the year 1200. The MacKinnons claim to descend from hereditary abbots at Iona and I assume that the McNabs also descend from an ancestor who was a son of an early abbot. regards Donald (Livingstone) Clink