McLea-Livingstones sept, followers and commoners

[Canadian Livingstone]

Try as we might it has proven difficult to shake the notion that Highland Clan McLea later known as Livingstone were but common folk, followers and a sept of Stewarts of Appin. This from John Prebble one of my favourite historians from his book "Culloden" published in the early 60's: "The Stewarts, on the Cameron's left were Appin men from that sweet and green peninsula in Loch Linnhe to the West. Among them were some MacLarens, who were their ancient allies from Balquhidder......He(Charles Stewart of Ardshiel)had nearly three hundred men in his regiment at Culloden, a high proportion of them officers with claims to an acre or acres of land on the hills of above Loch Linnhe and Loch Creran. And behind them stood the common men: McColls, Carmichaels, Livingstones and MacLeays. They wore Sprigs of Oak in their bonnets. Above them flapped and snapped their standard, the yellow saltire on a blue field, and their Piper played a pibroch that had been composed a hundred years before by the great Patrick mor McCrimmon." Alas we are but common folk, but at least John Prebble gives us honorable mention. And remember this well known book was published way back in 1961 over 40 years ago and readily available in libraries throughout for any researcher of the Appin Regiment. THerefore there is little excuse to get these things wrong either in the 1960's, 1970's or in 2007. regards, Donald