The name MacRae ( from Macrath or MacRa ) is thought to mean ‘son of good fortune’ . MacRae’s are believed to have come to Kintail in the 14th century having preivously earned a reputation as fierce fighting men for Lord Lovat. They then agreed to render the same service to the Mackenzies in return for lands in Kintail. This relationship between the MacRaes and the Mackenzies endured until the demise of the clan system. Their loyalty gained the MacRae’s the nickname ‘Mackenzies shirt of mail’, and they became the hereditary constables of Eilean Donan Castle. The clan suffered heavy losses in 1715 at the Battle of Sheriffmuir. Onlyfour years later a Jacobite expedition sailed from Spain to Kintail. Prior to the battle Eilean Donan Castle was bombarded by naval Frigates, as was the old church at Clachan Duich. The battle of Glen Shiel was the last battle on British soil involving foreign troops. Some MacRae’s took part in the ’45, though forbidden by the Earl of Seaforth. Following the disaster at Culloden, Bonnie Prince Charlie passed through Kintail resting for a day in Glen Shiel in the shelter of a great boulder near Achnangart. Kintail is steeped in legend and myth. The Five Sisters are said to be princesses who vowed to wait forever for five young princes to return to Kintail to marry them. Another story tells how Dairmaid the Beautiful, met his death in the forests of Kintail, slain by Fingal, the celtic hero. Dairmaid is said to be buried at Dunan Dairmaid, on the shore near the house.