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Isobel Grant

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Isobel Grant
Years active1630s
Known forInvolved in infamous case of murder
FatherGrant of Tulloch
aka Fear Thulach
aka McJokkie

Isobel Grant or Iseabail Dhubh Thulach fl. 1637[1] was a historical figure in Scotland who was involved in an infamous case of murder.

Biography

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Isobel was the daughter of Grant of Tulloch (aka Fear Thulach, aka McJokkie).[1] The Grants and the MacGregors were brought into dispute when Isobel had supposedly given her affections to a MacGregor named Iain Dubh Gearr.

A fight ensued near her family homestead when a rival suitor tried to claim her hand.[1]

The MacGregors, and other men, are alleged to have attacked John Steuart, near Tulloch, Strathspey and the report states they:

'[S]hot him through the thighs, broke his thigh bones, cut off his fingers and cut off his head and danced and made merry about him a long time'.[1]

Legacy

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This murderous event is believed to have inspired the composition of the Reel of Tulloch, a specific dance for males [1] derived from a rough game of football that Tulloch men played with the severed head of an enemy.

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e Ewan, Elizabeth, ed. (2018). The new biographical dictionary of Scottish women. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press. p. 174. ISBN 978-1-4744-3629-8. OCLC 1057237368.
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