Baron Duncan Maconlea gives new life to ancient Livingstone aristocracy

[Kyle2 MacLea]

Dear Donald, First, allow me to commend you for putting up a "straw man" we can all take a whack at, and then see what's left!

[Canadian Livingstone]

Hi Kyle, Appreciate your comments and shall respond to them shortly. This from the 1743 MacLea Manuscript to put my crazy ideas into context: The Earl of Linlithgo had stated to his son at the 1600's, that "though their family had made a figure in the world and that tho the MacLeas in the Highlands made no great figure there, yet that their family (the Callendar Livingstones) were decended of the MacLeas in the highlands and that at whatever place he met with any of the name of McLea that he should always reckon them as his name Livingston and that he should be kind to them." Take that info and apply that to the historic circumstances of the two families a little over 100 years later and it makes you think twice. No doubt you or someone else will soon be pointing out one of the biggest problems with this theory is that according to wikipedia "the Livingstones of Bachuil have never claimed to be chiefs of the Lowland Livingstons." To be sure that is a problem, but I have been thinking about that one. And of course proving that such as discussion and agreement ever took place between the two clans is probably next to impossible. Well thanks for keeping an open mind anyways. regards Donald

[Kyle2 MacLea]

I do of course think, as you say, that there is currently no evidence the Highland Livingston/es ever intended to be "chiefs" to the Lowland Livingstons.

[Canadian Livingstone]

Hi Kyle, I think maybe something good can come out of all this. Obviously it did not happen as I suggested, but as you said it does make you think what possibilities we may overlooking regarding the relationship between the Lowland Livingstones and their highland kin the Maconleas. I am also convinced more than ever that the MacLea 1743 document is essentially accurate. Now whether or not the Livingstones were correct that they were decended from the Maconleas we arent able

[Canadian Livingstone]

I was aware they did not originally have tartans, I was not aware they did not form clans. You may have got me there Kyle. Yes I have considered that some other sort of arrangement,understanding, bond took place between the two families rather than a merger or union. Perhaps only one family branch of the Lowland Livingstone was keen about forging ties with their Highland cousin and most of the lowland livingstons were not part of the deal. The complete reverse of everything I have previously stated would be that Clan Chief Duncan Maconlea decided to change his name in the mid 1700's because after 1745 he wanted to leave the gaelic highland past behind and go for a more english sounding name which would not offend his English gambling friends in the lowlands. He roughly translated the old Macdhunleibhe name and finally decided upon the old lowland family name Livingstone because that was in his mind the nearest english sounding

[Canadian Livingstone]

Niall, Caisc shona dhuit. Yes Spring is here. Our daffodils are currently covered in a light blanket of snow and we have freezing temperatures for the holiday weekend. Oh well. I was wondering if Baron Duncan McInlea is listed in that 1802 record you mentioned does that mean that he did not die around the 1780's as previously assumed and therefore his son John did not become Baron until sometime in the early 19th century. If Duncan was born abt. 1713 it is conceivable that he was still alive in 1802. regards Donald