The History of Scottas House
The people of Knoydart and Morar were unmoved by the Reformation. Despite the threat of death, they continued to receive Catholic priests throughout the dark years of religious intolerance. There were two local seminaries, on Eilean Bàn, Loch Morar, and at Samadalan, Airor, both active during the 1700’s. Scottas was used as a safe house for Mass during this period. The first or second ordination in Scotland since the Reformation took place in the drawing room of Scottas in 1707. The house is still used for Masses when priests visit.
At the end of Bonnie Prince Charlie’s campaign in the Highlands, The Captain of Clanranald, a Macdonald Chieftan, was staying at Scottas. The Prince was holed up on an islet half a mile along the coast, while an aide sought help from Clanranald. Clanranald said, with much sadness, he had nothing more to give. He had lost his land, his home and his son. It was perhaps the point at which the Prince’s followers realised nothing could be salvaged from the campaign.
The archivist Rosalie MacEachern has found grounds to suggest more: Clanranald’s host, Donald of Scotas, had a son (Donald nan Gleann) who had long been an officer in the Hanoverian army, serving under Lord Loudon during the uprising. Taken prisoner near Inverness, he was sent home to Scottas. His presence at Scottas may explain why the house was spared the bombardment which destroyed Inverie House. “John Macdonald of Croulin, second [son] of Scottas” had been taken prisoner at Culloden but was later released, perhaps because he was about to die of consumption.
“Spanish John” MacDonald was also raised at Scottas, and married Donald nan Gleann’s daughter Catherine. He and her family had all emigrated to North America by 1770.
Scottas House is ancient but was Georgianised in 1773, giving it a simple classical look. When the present owners took possession of the house in the 1960’s it was in a ruinous state. They took care to copy the features of the old house, such as the stairs and the position of the rooms, and rediscovered hidden and closed up windows. They also added the attic gables and joined the house to the byre ten foot away.