Donald MacBean of Faillie

Donald MacBean of Faillie was the eldest son and heir of John MacBean of Faillie, and was head of the the branch of Clan MacBean known as the MacBeans of Faillie, in Strathnairn. The location of their old home can be found on modern day Ordnance Survey maps marked as 'Mains of Faillie', above the River Nairn c.2.5km south west of the village of Daviot, in which parish Faillie is located. A cadet (i.e. junior) branch of the MacBeans of Faillie were the MacBeans of Tomatin in Strathdearn.

Donald married his kinswoman, Anna MacBean the eldest daughter of William MacBean of Kinchyle, 13th Chief of the Clan MacBean. A handwritten transcription note by well-known historian A. M. Mackintosh (author of 'The Mackintoshes and Clan Chattan', which he took from the Inverness Sasine Registers, and within a collection of the Highland Archives in Inverness, records Anna's marriage to Donald MacBean of Faillie, as follows:

1704/1706 Inverness Sasine Reg. Vol. iv, p.407: Contract of marriage bet Donald McBean of Faillie & Anna McBean eldest lawful dau to William McBean of Kinchyll, giving liferent of the lands of Achlaskyle & others called Midtown of Faillie. Wt John McBean schoolmaster attorney for said Anna – dated 6 Ap 1704. To sasine on 22 Oct 1706 Angus & William McBeans lawful sons to William McB younger of Kinchyll. William McBean eldest son to John McB of Drummond, & John McBean writer in Inverness are witnesses.

Donald MacBean of Faillie died in 1740. His Testament Dative survives and mentions his relict (i.e. surviving widow) 'Anne', and their daughter Jean the widow of Dugald / Dougall Cameron of Strone. Anna's eldest surviving brother Gillies 'Mor' McBean, Tacksman of Dellmagerry was a witness to this Testament Dative.