Earldom of Ness

The Earldom of Ness was part of the lands owned by the Highland Clan MacNeacail for centuries. The lands included most of northwestern Scotland, and are now the provinces of Assynt, Edderachylis, Ullapool, and Durness.
History
The Earldom of Ness was created by King David II, who made Gregall, ancestor of the Clan MacNeacail, a baron, and giving him a charter for the land. Later on, the province of Assynt was given to the MacNeacails as a reward from the thane of Sutherland for rescuing a large amount of cattle stolen by a group of Scandinavians. At the beginning of the 14th Century, the family ended in an heiress, Margaret MacNicol, who married Torquill MacLeod. The MacLeods obtained a royal charter for the lands of Ness, and took that, as well as the Isle of Lewis, from the MacNicols. It was at that point that the clan relocated to Scorrybreac, on the Isle of Skye. The MacLeods held the lands until 1672, when it was conquered by the MacKenzies of Seaforth. In 1707, the former Earldom of Ness, along with all of Scotland, were incorporated into the United Kingdom.
Government
The Earldom of Ness was governed by Clan MacNicol.

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