Most of the historic lore of Lochaber, as presented in popular bookform by three well-known authors, is not quite in accordance with local tradition as cherished by the seanachies upwards of one hundred years ago, but has been expressly written with a certain amount of bias in order to bolster up the pretentious claims of the Lochiel family....

....During Macbeth's reign (1042-1057) Lochaber formed part of the once extensive province of Moray. Two centuries later it was held by the Comyn family, and part of it, known as the ward of Lochaber, was joined to the Celtic earldom of Atholl when Joan, a daughter of John, the second Red Comyn, became the wife of David de Strabolgy, the 12th Earl of Atholl.  It was in his son's possession until 1335, when he was hanged for high treason. That year, John, first Lord of the Isles, received an Indenture from Edward Baliol at Perth on 12th September, in which it was stipulated that he should hold "the ward of Lochaber till the majority of the son and heir of Sir David de Strabolgy."
Needless to say, his son never regained it.

Sir Robert de Cambron of Balnygrenagh (Bail'-na-greanach or 'gravelly stead') in Perthshire, held office as Sheriff of Atholl in 1296, when, that same year, he swore fealty to Edward I. or 'Edward Longshanks'............