Gallanach

Gallanach is a family run estate which has been owned by the MacDougalls of Gallanach since 1641. Its ancestry dates back to 1164 when Dugall, the eldest son of King Somerled of the Hebrides, founded the clan. To this day it remains one of the longest-established MacDougall families still resident in the Oban area.

Today, the Estate combines its livestock farming activities with offering comfortable and secluded self-catering accommodation within what was the staff quarters of the mansion house, built on the site of the previous dwelling in 1812.

Of the principle collateral branches of the MacDougalls of Dunollie, are those of Gallanach and Soraba. Of the former, the MacDougalls of Gallanach, the male line has failed: Major James Williamson was granted permission by the Lord Lyon to take the surname of MacDougall, that of his mother, who had owned the Gallanach estate, by Oban. Upon the Major's death (in 1999), he was succeeded by his son, Charles Williamson MacDougall of Gallanach. The estate had passed from the MacDougalls of Gallanach into another family before, that of Patten (J. Patten-MacDougall, with permission by the Lord Lyon), at the turn of the 19th century.

Charles Williamson MacDougall of Gallanach, is currently Cadet of Clan MacDougall.

During the Cold War the first Transatlantic Telephone Cable (TAT-1) came ashore at Gallanach Bay and this carried the "Hot Line" between the US and USSR Presidents. There was protected accommodation for the cable equipment at Gallanach Bay.

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