Maighstir Iain – Fr. John Farquharson (1699-1782)
John Farquharson was born at Braemar in 1699, son of the chief of Clan Farquharson. When he was fifteen, he was sent off to the Jesuits Scots College at Douai in France. It was intended he would return to Scotland as a missionary at some point in the future. In 1718 he was ordained into the Society of Jesus and spent time teaching before returning to Scotland in 1729 and going to Strathglass where he was based at Fasnakyle.
Catholicism, since the Reformation, was still strong among the clans folk though the chiefs were nominally Protestant, often being sympathetic. The penal laws introduced in the late 16th century had been relaxed over time with little persecution, though priests had to be on their guard. Fr Farquarson, as was normal for the clergy, wore Highland dress and learned the Gaelic language to blend in with the local population. He also developed a love of Gaelic poetry collecting the works of Ossian/James MacPherson. He was referred to as Maighstir Iain (Master John).
However, Presbyteries often complained about priests encroaching on their parishes, seeking converts, and frequently reporting the activities of ‘papists’ to the General Assembly. With the rebellion of 1745 the old penal acts and new legislation meant the return of the persecution of Catholics, especially priests – Catholic clergy, particularly the Jesuits, were associated with Charles Edward Stuart and the Jacobites. It was also a time when clan chiefs, who permitted priests to function within their estates, were also liable to punishment. Roderick, the Chisholm chief, intended moving Fr. Farquharson just outside the boundary of his estate from where the priest could still easily minister to his flock. Unfortunately, before this could happen Maighstir Iain was seized by soldiers while saying mass. Only his intervention prevented the parishioners from violently opposing his arrest. He was taken before Chief Roderick and then to Fort Augustus for interrogation but was released quickly, possible due to Roderick having diffused the situation, and returned to Strathglass.
Knowing that he was now a marked man and that the redcoats would be looking out for him, he went into hiding in a cave on the Brae of Craskie in Glen Cannich. Here he could monitor any military activity in the glen and still keep in touch with his parishioners. It was here that he performed baptisms using the cup shaped Clach a Bhaistidh that can be seen, now mounted on a plinth, outside the Church of Our Lady and Saint Bean at Marydale.
He was joined in his hideaway by his brother, Fr. Charles Farquharson (1713-1799) and later Fr. Alexander Cameron, brother of Cameron of Lochiel who fled to France after leading his clan at Culloden. While Fr. Cameron managed to escape to Morar, the two brothers clung on managing to distance themselves from the soldiers looking for them. Eventually, following threats to burn the houses and confiscate the cattle of the parishioners, the priests gave themselves up.
Following a period in Inverness jail, the brothers spent time on a hulk on the Thames prior to appearing in court in May 1747 where they were sentenced to ‘exile’ in Holland. From there they travelled to Douai where they were a burden on the finances of the college. In July 1748 Fr. John returned to Strathglass where he resided for another five years. He was arrested one more time but released quickly but left for Douai shortly afterwards. In 1759 he became Prefect of Studies at the college but interference in politics led to the Jesuits being expelled from France five years later. Following some time in Holland, he returned to Scotland for the final time in 1773 settling at Balmoral as chaplain to his nephew and clan chief. His Gaelic poety collection had been lost due to students at Douai using the papers as kindling for their fire. He died there on 22nd August 1782 and is interred in Braemar graveyard.
The memorial panel in the photo above dates from the 19th century, probably after the passing of the Catholic Relief Act in 1829. It bears several inscriptions and letters. It is curious in that it refers to him as being in Strathglass for thirty years in the period 1729-1769 when Jesuit records show him as having left Scotland in 1753.
The panel had been mounted atop the Clach a Bhaistidh at the doorway to Marydale Church until snow and ice falling from the roof knocked it to the ground damaging it badly. Fortunately, it has been restored and is awaiting a safer location within the church.
For more detailed information on Maighstir Iain see Jacobites and Upper Deeside by Braemar History Club (2021).
SHA Site No:
Site Status:
Location: NH 3348 3070 Landranger OS 26
Three words: cabbage.aware.relies
Period: Mediaeval / Post-mediaeval
Date: 11th Century
Site Owner: Roman Catholic Diocese of Aberdeen
Open: 24 Hours
Access: Fenced path over grass 100m from roadside
Grade: Easy
Parking: Limited at site but more nearby 200m
Notes: Please ensure gates are kept closed
The site of the chapel and burial ground is at Kerrow on the single track Cannich-Tomich road south of the River Glass. There is space for two cars at the entrance. Please ensure the gates are kept closed and beware of straying livestock on the road.