DONALD James Kennedy, born in London in the early hours of yesterday morning, follows in a long line of Lochaber Kennedys who have all lived within the same halfmile stretch at Lochyside since 1801.

Sarah and Charles named their first-born after Donald Kennedy, the LibDem leader's grandfather, a distinguished all-round athlete, musician and crofter.

Mr Kennedy, who died a week before his 90th birthday and shortly before his grandson become the youngest elected MP in 1983, was renowned on the Highland Games circuit the length and breadth of Scotland. He successfully competed in the Powderhall Sprints and in 1916 won the British Army Sports in Perth.

He and his three brothers, Ewen, Willie and Archie, were well-known faces throughout the Highlands.

Donald declined to run further than 400 yards, but he excelled at shorter distances, the light and heavy hammer, the long jump, high jump, vaulting, tossing the caber and the tug-of-war.

It could all have been so different. En route to Gallipoli with the Lovat Scouts, Donald Kennedy was in boats with the wrong armaments and was ambushed by the Turks. Later, he was injured in the battle of Ypres, and would probably have died if he had not been so strong.

With little or no anaesthetic, he woke up to find a member of the Red Cross pulling the tendons out of his arm. Pensioned out of the Army he returned to the croft, near the shores of Loch Linnhe, without the use of his left hand.

It was then a case of mind over matter, according to Ian, his son and Charles's father.

He forced his hands to grip the digging implements, and then continued his athletic activities until he retired in 1927.

Long before the horrors of the first world war, the Kennedys were almost banished to Canada at the beginning of the nineteenth century. They had packed their bags and were walking to catch the boat from Corpach when they met Cameron of Lochiel, the local landowner, who not only told them they did not need to go, but also allocated them a croft near Caol. Although Donald Kennedy was a ploughman at Achintee in Glen Nevis, they kept the family croft at Lochyside ever since.

Yesterday, the Kennedys were delighted for Sarah, Charles and Donald, and throughout the day their house was inundated with visitors. The phone rang constantly. They were thrilled and did not mind one bit, and remained courteous throughout.

Ian Kennedy did not wet the baby's head - he is a teetotaller, although he worked in the Fort William distillery - but there were lots of fun and games. Music is in the family. Donald Kennedy played the melodeon and sang Gaelic songs. Ian, a selftaught fiddler, and Mary, his wife, play the piano.

Mrs Kennedy said: "We are just delighted. Everybody has been on the phone. We have no immediate plans to go down. We will let them breathe for a few days before we decide what to do. But it is very exciting, I must admit.

"Charles has called his son Donald after his father's father and James after Sarah's brother. She has just the one brother."

In Fort William, there was great joy at the news. Finlay Finlayson, a local businessman and restaurateur, said:

"We're all delighted and looking forward to serving Donald James with the best seafood he's ever had. We'll drink his health with Charles and Sarah whenever they bring him home."

The new parents beamed as they left St Thomas's Hospital shortly after 5pm with their 6lb 9oz son. Facing a barrage of cameras, Mrs Kennedy said she felt "fantastic", if "inevitably" a little tired.

Asked if Mr Kennedy had held her hand throughout the birth - the baby was born at 12.14am - Mrs Kennedy replied: "Absolutely. It was a good experience, Charles was a real support."

The couple said they planned to take Donald up to Scotland "very soon" to meet their family and friends.

Mr Kennedy, who will rejoin the Lib Dem campaign at the end of the week, said:

"Everything went tremendously smoothly and we are very grateful for that and we are exceptionally happy with the new Donald James Kennedy that becomes the latest addition to the clan - he's our pride and joy.

Towards the end of the week I will be looking forward to rejoining the campaign.

"And I'll be rejoining with both a song in my heart and a spring in my step."

Tony Blair and Michael Howard were quick to offer their congratulations. The prime minister said: "I just wish them well and we all wish them well. It is a particular joy when you have your first baby."

Mr Howard said: "It is wonderful news. I send them my warmest congratulations."