Keppoch murders

The murders took place on September 25, 1663, during a brawl in the mansion of Insch, just outside the village of Roybridge, Lochaber.

The identity of the killers, Alexander Macdonald, Keppoch Tacksman of Inverlair, and his six sons, were well known.

Sir James at Dunelm Castle was eventually persuaded by the war poet Iain Lom to apply to the Privy Council in Edinburgh for letters of fire and sword in order to lawfully revenge their deaths.

He then took his grisly trophies to Invergarry Castle in order to show them to Lord MacDonnell of Glengarry who had failed to bring the murderers to justice.

In the late 19th century the grave at Inverlair was opened and seven headless skeletons were unearthed, giving credence to the story.