In the end the Clan Gunn slain included The Chief, with the most of the Keiths. The twenty-four Keith party rushed in at the door of the chapel, and invaded the Crowner and his company unawares who, nevertheless, made great resistance. The Crowner (George, chieftain of Clan Gunn) with the most part of his sons and chief kinsmen came to the chapel, to the number of twelve and, as they were within the chapel at their prayers, the Laird of Inverugie and Ackergill arrived there with twelve horse, and two men upon every horse thinking it no breach of trust to come with twenty-four men, seeing they had but twelve horses as was appointed. Tayre, in Caithness, hard by Girnigo, with twelve horse on either side. Much blood was shed and neither Gunn nor Keith could continue this way.Ībout the year of God 1478, a meeting was appointed for their reconciliation, at the Chaple of St. Times that followed were filled with war. It’s said her ghost still wanders Ackergill Tower to this day! Helen then threw herself from the tower there rather than submit. The source (excuse?) for the feud was said to have been when Dugald Keith, who had been spurned by Helen, a daughter of Gunn of Braemor, surrounded her home, killed a number of the inhabitants and carried her back to Ackergill Castle. The Gunns became established in the highland areas of Caithness and they were frequently in conflict particularly with the clan Keith. He established his main seat at Halberry Head on the East Coast of Caithness, a mile south of Snaekoll, Gunni’s son’s Castle at Bruan. By the mid fifteenth century George the Crowner of Caithness held his main lands at Ulbster and Clyth. During the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries (during an preceding George’s time) there were many skirmishes between the Gunns and their neighbours the Sinclairs, the Keiths and others who had obtained grants of land from the Scottish Kings, anxious to increase their influence over the fringes of their kingdom.Īs a result the Gunns were gradually disposed of their lands in the more fertile parts of Caithness.
He had a castle at Clyth on the east coast of Caithness. He was known as “Am Braisdeach Mor” or “the great brooch-wearer” from his insignia as coroner. The first Chief of the Clan to be recorded with certainty was George (Seoras) Gunn who was the coroner of Caithness in the 15th century.
There is some interesting evidence to indicate that Sir James (Seamus) Gun, Chief of the Clan Gunn, may have accompanied Henry Sinclair of Orkney on his reputed expedition to the New World, some ninety years before Columbus claimed to have discovered America.Īn effigy of a mediaeval Knight in armour, reputed to be Sir James (Seamus) Gun is cut into a rock face at Westford, Massachusetts. A number of separate lines of Gunns became established in Braemore (known as the Robson Gunns), Killearnan, Kildonan and also the Caithness Hendersons and Williamsons.īy the thirteenth century the Gunns were at the height of their powers and appear to have possessed the whole of Caithness. These lands were inherited by Snaekoll, Gunni’s son, the second chief of the Clan.Īlthough Ottar, a descendant of Gunni, is known to have lived around 1280 and is the assumed progenitor of the Gunn chiefs.
Gunni’s wife Ragnhild, who inherited great estates in Caithness and Sutherland in 1198 on the death of her brother Harold Ungi, Jarl of Orkney and Caithness. Orkney, Shetland and Shetland were still part of Norway at this time. Gunni’s Viking grandfather had been killed in 1171 on a raid on Dublin. Gunni’s wife was descended from St Ragnvald who founded the St Magnus Cathedral in Kirkwall.
The first Gunni came to Caithness at the end of the 12th century when his wife inherited land there from her brother who was Jarl (Earl) of Orkney. The name originated from a Norse personal name “Gunni” (which means “war”). Through Ragnild’s father Erik Staybrails the senior heir of Moddan of Dale, the Clan also descends from Moddan of Dale and the ancient Mormaers or High Stewards of Caithness The Clan Gunn claims direct descent from Gunni, grandson of Sweyn Asleifsson, the “Ultimate Viking” and hero of the Orkneyinga Saga.Ĭlan Gunn is also descended from the Norse “Jarls”, or Earls of Orkney through Gunni’s wife Ragnhild, who was grand-daughter and eventual heiress of St. Gunn Clan Motto: Aut Pax Aut Bellum (Either peace or war). Gunn Clan Crest: An arm attired in the Gunn tartan with the hand grasping a basket hilt sword.
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