The Neish Massacre 1612
Shortly before Christmas in 1612, the Neishes intercepted a group of MacNabs returning to Killin via Loch Earn, from Crieff, the MacNab’s were laden down with supplies of meat and other “goodies” of Christmas cheer.
Seeing this heaven sent opportunity the Neishes decided to “lift” this windfall from the MacNab’s and did so, and withdrew to their stronghold Neish Island on Loch Earn there to make merry.
In the meantime in Killin, Findlay MacNab, as Chief, decided that he must take aggressive action against the Neishes took a rowing boat and rowed down Loch Tay to Ardeonaig where they lifted the boat out of the water heaving it on their shoulders they then proceeded to carry it over the hills to Loch Earn coming down to the lochside by way of Glentarken to Little Port, now St. Fillans.
They then quietly organised themselves and when it was dark rowed across the loch arriving at the island, all the Neishes were having a good time with singing, playing bagpipes, drinking and gorging themselves unaware, and unsuspecting the door was battered down, and rushing in to the house the McNabs slew all the Neishes within, save one lad. The surviving Neish boy founded the Clan McIldowie or MacIlduie (the dark haired one)