Isobel Grant | |
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Years active | 1630s |
Known for | Involved in infamous case of murder |
Parent |
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Isobel Grant or Iseabail Dhubh Thulach fl. 1637 [1] was a historical figure in Scotland who was involved in an infamous case of murder.
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]
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.