When the power of the Comyns began to wane in Badenoch, Donald Dubh of Invernahaven, Chief of Davidsons, having married the daughter of Angus, 6th of MacKintosh, sought the protection of William, 7th of MacKintosh, before 1350, and became associated with the Clan Chattan confederation.

The clan became known as the Clan Dhai from David Dubh of Invernahaven their first chief. Their entry into the Clan Cattan led to a dispute apparently regarding precedence. A portion of MacKintosh’s estate lying in Lochaber was let to the Camerons and MacKintosh had difficulty in obtaining rent for it. About 1370 the Camerons decided to attack MacKintosh, who was prepared to meet them at the head of several branches of the Clan Chattan. When the forces came in sight of each other, the Macphersons, owing to their dispute with the Davidsons, withdrew from the conflict, remained spectators, and the Clan Chattan were defeated. During the night, MacKintosh sent his bard as coming from the Camerons to the camp of the Macphersons and accused them of cowardice. Thus enraged, the Macphersons attacked the Camerons during the night and completely defeated them.

The enmity between the two branches continued, and by some historians the Davidsons are identified with Clan Dhai, who fought with the Macphersons in the famous Clan Battle on the North Inch of Perth, in 1396, before King Robert I, when only one man of the Clan Dhai survived, and eleven of their opponents remained alive at the termination of the combat.

In the 18th century we find important families like the Davidsons of Cantray and the Davidsons of Tulloch. The latter family came into possession of the lands and castle of Tulloch, near Dingwall, in 1762, when Henry Davidson purchased the estate from his cousin Kenneth Bayne.

Crest: A stag’s head erased. Badge: Red whortleberry.

Pipe music: Tulloch Castle.