An Caiptein Mhor”, The Big Captain of Luing
Captain Duncan MacDougal, of the 61st (Gloucester) Regiment of Foot, was one of Luing’s fighting men, with a list of battle honours that any professional soldier would be proud of. As a boy he joined the 2nd Breadalbane Fencibles, formed in 1793. He volunteered for service in Ireland with the third Battalion, who were already garrisoned there, with the object of bringing together a discontented country, it was said with “tact and kindly firmness” so as to gain respect of their Irish kinsman. In 1798 the Battalion was reduced and each man received a medal from the Earl of Breadalbane, for their gallant conduct in having volunteered for services to Ireland and repelling the French forces which had invaded the Kingdom in 1798. Breadalbane gave to each of the Netherlorn men who returned, a means of livelihood in the form of a croft, house, or employment as stewards, managers, etc.Captain MacDougal received a commission as ensign in the Cheshire Fencibles in 1798, in 1801 he was made ensign to the 32nd (Cornwall) regiment, and to the 61st in 1803.
In 1809 he was in Portugal with the first battalion, and fought at Talavera, Busaco, Fuentos de ‘Onor; he was present at the siege of Ciudad Rodrrigo, the battle of Salamanca, Neville, Nive, Orthez, and numerous other sieges and conflicts. In 1803 he was made lieutenant, and captain in 1811. He left the army shortly after peace, and returned to his native parish, where he rented a farm, and died in 1845.
