Clan MacLachlan

Clan Chief:              Euan John Maclachlan, 25th chief of Maclachlan

                           and Baron of Strathlachlan.

Origin of Name:     Gaelic name Lochlann meaning "stranger"

Gaelic Name:          Mac Lochlainn

Clan Crest:              A castle upon a crown

Clan Motto:             Fortis et fidus (Brave and faithful)

Lands:                      Loch Fyne, Argyll

Clan MacLachlan, draws its origins in the mists of antiquity. Descended from the mighty O'Niell royal dynasty of the 5th century, the Clan MacLachlan belongs to the oldest traceable family in Europe. Tradition has it that Aedh, a grandson of King Flaithbertach of Ireland, married a Scottish princess in the 11th century and inherited the Kingdom of Cowal. From this ancient time the MacLachlan Clan has remained in their Clan's heartland, Strathlachlan, on the shores of Loch Fyne amidst the awe-inspiring beauty of Argyll Scotland's Highlanders have long been renowned for their fierce fighting spirit and the MacLachlans have well-proven their Highland blood.

The Clan MacLachlan's loyalty to the Crown of Scotland has been recorded throughout the ages. The staunch support of the Clan to the great Robert the Bruce during the Wars of Scotland, earned them such a privileged position in the hierarchy of Scotland's Clans that their Chief, Gillescop MacLachlan, was one of the chosen few to attend the new King Robert's first Parliament in 1308. In the Battle of Culloden in 1746, the last battle to be fought on British soil, Lachlan MacLachlan, the 15th Chief, held the prestigious position of A.D.C. to Bonnie Prince Charlie. In this fiercely fought battle the MacLachlans demonstrated their adherence to the Clan's motto, Fortis et Fidus- "Brave and Trusty", and fought with great courage until the battles bitter end.

Tragically the Clan Chief was killed by a cannonball as he led his troops into battle and his son was also killed. It is a curious fact that, from this time, no first born son of a male MacLachlan Chief has survived his father to become Chief of the Clan. After the defeat of the Jacobite rebellion at Culloden, the lands of many of the Clans who supported Prince Charles were forfeited to the Crown. Through the intercession of the Duke of Argyll the 18th Chief retained title to his lands. During this conflict the Royal Navy bombarded the five century old Clan stronghold of Castle Lachlan on Loch Fyne and reduced it to ruins. 

The indomitable Clan spirit prevailed and a larger castle was built, as the seat of the Chief, overlooking the original site. In 1942, John MacLachlan, the 23rd Chief died and his daughter, Marjorie, became the first female to succeed to the Chiefship.

The MacLachlan clan is headed by the Clan Chief, Euan Maclachlan of Maclachlan from his seat at Castle Lachlan on the shores of Loch Fyne in Argyll on the West Coast of Scotland.

The MacLachlan Clan Crest is a castle upon a crown and the proud MacLachlan clan motto, “Fortis et fidus” meaning, (Brave and faithful).

Clan MacFarlane

Clan Chief:         Last  MacFarlane chief to reside in Scotland died back in 1767. 

Origin of Name:    Son of Parlan

Gaelic Name:        MacPharlain

Clan Crest:            A savage brandishing a broadsword

Clan Motto:        This Ill defend

Lands:                   Loch Lomond, Tarbet and Arrocher

The Loch Lomond district has long been renowned throughout Scotland for producing some of the most turbulent Clans in the land, and it is in this territory that the MacFarlanes are known as the most warlike.  The Clan is descended from Gilchrist, brother of Maldowen, 3rd of the Ancient Earls of Lennox in the 13th century.  It is from the 4th Chief, Gilchrist's great grandson Bartholemew, (whose Gaelic equivalent is Parlan) that the Clan draws its name.  The Clan's close affinity with the ancient Earls of Lennox was demonstrated when Duncan also obtained the adjoining land for the MacFarlane Chiefs and the ancient Earls of Lennox, that when the last of the ancient Earls was executed by King James 1 in 1425, the MacFarlanes claimed the earldom.  This was not to be, however, and the King awarded it instead to the Stewarts of Darnley.  This injustice inspired a strong enmity between the MacFarlanes and the new Earls of Lennox, and the ensuing conflicts resulted in the MacFarlanes forfeiting much of their Clan lands.  The opposition only ceased in the 15th century, when the 10th Chief married the Earl of Lennox's daughter, and although their son, Sir Iain was slain at the Battle of Flodden in 1513, the old enemies allied themselves to produce a powerful force.

The war-like nature of the MacFarlanes manifested itself clearly throughout the Clan's tumultuous history, but it was after the alliance with the Earls of Lennox that the MacFarlane warriors' reputation really excalated.  MacFarlane clansmen fought at Flodden and at Pinkie Cleugh in 1547.  I the Earl of Lennox's struggle against Mary, Queen of Scots, 300 clan members were in the vanquard of the nobles' army at the Battle of Langside in 1568.  However, while MacFarlane troops were renowned for their ability, it was the Clan's inherent turbulence which ultimately led to its downfall.

With the direct male line of the chiefship severed by the death of a Chief without an heir, the Clan lands passed from the control of the rightfully elective MacFarlane Chiefs into other ownership by feudal law.  The MacFarlanes became involved in a conflict with their powerful neighbours, the Colquhouns in 1598, when the Colquhoun Chief was caught in compromising circumstances with the wife of the MacFarlane Chief.  The MacFarlanes responded with their powerful neighbours, the Colquhouns in 1598, when the Colquhoun Chief was caught in compromising circumstances with the wife of the MacFarlane Chief.  The MacFarlanes responded with typical boldness, setting the Colquhouns' castle at Bannachra on fire, and killing their Chief by way of revenge.  This was not good enough for the cuckolded Chief, however, who cut off the private parts of his foe, and served them to his adulterous wife for dinner.

Such extreme behaviour led to the MacFarlanes becoming known as a dangerous Clan and under King James Vl the MacFarlanes were proscribed, their name banned, and their lands forfeited.  The last known Clan chief was thought to have moved to America in the 18th century.

This MacFarlane Clan Crest carries a savage brandishing a broadsword whilst holding a crown and the proud MacFarlane clan motto, "This Ill defend".

Clan Ross

Clan Chief:            29th Chief, David Campbell Ross, of Ross and Balnagowan

Origin of Name:    Placename, Ross-shire

Gaelic Name:        Rois

Clan Crest:            A hand holding a garland of juniper

Clan Motto:           Spem successus alit (Success nourishes hope).

Lands:                    Ross-shire

Scotland's highlanders have long been renowned for their fierce fighting spirit and the Rosses have well proven their highland blood.

Clan Ross takes its name from the Clan's lands in the beautiful County of Ross. Originally known to the Highlanders as Clann Aindreas, "the sons of Andrew", patron saint of Scotland, the Clan has a bloodline dating back to the original Celtic people of Scotland. Their origins are closely tied with the old Celtic church, the Clan descending from an ecclesiastical family who held an hereditary priesthood. The founder of the Clan Ross was Fearchar Mac-an-T-Saigart (Farquhar, the Son of the Priest), abbot of Applecross in Wester Ross, who inherited the abbacy early in the 13th century. Fearchar's loyalty to King Alexander II was rewarded in 1215 when he received a knighthood, and in 1226 he was created Earl of Ross.

Following in the tradition of Fearchar's early support for the Crown of Scotland, his grandson, William, the 3rd Chief and Earl, supported the great King Robert the Bruce by leading the Clan Ross against the English at the glorious Battle of Bannockburn in 1314. Hugh, the 5th Chief and Earl, was killed at the Battle of Halidon Hill in 1333, and his son, William, died without male heir in 1372 and so the Earldom passed through the female side into the Clan Leslie. The chieftainship was granted to William's brother, Hugh Ross of Rariches, who was granted a charter to the lands of Balnagowan in 1374. Not all Rosses totally supported the Crown. A descendant of Hugh, the 9th Chief, was Colonel George Ross, an officer in the American Patriot Army which fought the British in the War of Independence. His signature appears on the American Declaration of Independence. Betsy Ross made the first example of the present U.S. flag at the request of George Washington. 

Another of the many of the Clan to rise to prominance in the U.S.A. was John Ross, who was born in 1790 of a Scottish father and part Cherokee mother. Fair haired and blue eyed, John rose to be principal chief of the Cherokee Nation and vigorously opposed the westward migrations onto Cherokee lands. During the Creek war he led the Cherokees against the Creeks, - who were led by their Chief, William MacKintosh, also of Scottish descent.

For over three centuries the chiefship rested with the Rosses of Balnagowan, until the death of the 13th Chief of the Clan, David Ross of Balnagowan, in 1711. The chiefship then passed to another family of Rosses, and the Chief became the Hon. Charles Ross, son of Lord Ross of Hawkhead in Renfrewshire. The chiefship now rests with the family of Ross of Pitcalnie, heir of the line of David, last of the old family of Balnagowan.

The Ross Crest carries a hand holding a garland of juniper and the proud Ross clan motto, “Spem successus alit” meaning (Success nourishes hope).

scotjewelry.com

Clan Kennedy

Clan Chief:            Marquess of Ailsa, Archibald Angus Charles Kennedy

Gaelic Name:        Ceannaideach (Head of the Clan)

Clan Crest:            A dolphin

Clan Motto:          Avise la fin (Consider the end)

Lands:                    Carrick, Ayrshire, Lochaber and Sky

The Kennedy’s dominated the lands of Carrick in Ayrshire, in southwestern Scotland, for so many centuries. The clan originating from a branch of the Celtic lords of Galloway, descended from ‘Mac’ Duncan de Carrick, he was made Earl of Carrick “The Chief of the Kennedy clan.” in 1228. The first mention of that name was Gilbert Mac Kennedi, he witnessed a Charter granting lands in Carrick to Melrose Abby in the early reign of King William the Lion.

The first use of the Kennedy name, was John Kennedy de Carrick, (c.1306 – 1385), Danure Castle, Scotland. Although he was born a Carrick, he changed his name to Kennedy. He aquired lands at Cassilis about 1360 with the marriage to Mary (Elizabeth) Montgomerie, heiress to Sir Neil Montgomerie of Cassilis. The Kennedys claimed blood kinship with the Earls of Carrick and supported Bruce before and through the Wars of Scottish Independence. They were well rewarded when Robert 11 confirmed John Kennedy of Dunure as chief of his name and Baillie of Carrick in 1372.

The Kennedys rose in stature with the marriage of Sir James Kennedy (c.1390 – 1408), to the daughter of King Robert 3rd, Earl of Carrick, Lady Mary Stewart, about 1395. Their son, Robert, was created Lord Kennedy in 1452, and his brother James (1408 – 1465) was Bishop of Dunkeld and Archvishop of St Andrews. Sir James Kennedys marriage certainly paved the way for the Kennedys at the Royal court which was to last for three hundred years with their fortunes considerably boosted.

The Kennedy chiefs and clansmen had their fair share of violent deaths, both on and off the battlefields.        

*David Kennedy, 3rd Lord Kennedy, was created the First Earl of Cassilis in 1502. He fought at the Battle of Flodden in 1513 where he was slain.                                             

*Gilbert Kennedy  2nd  Earl was murdered by Sir Hugh Campbell of Loudon, Sheriff of Ayr, having unsuccessfully attempted to rescue the young King James V.                                

*Gilbert Kennedy,  3rd Earl suspected poisoning by the French, while attending the marriage of Mary Queen of Scots to the Dauphin. He died at Dieppe, France, in 1558.

When John Kennedy, 8^th Earl of Cassilis (1700 – 1759) died without heirs, there was a three–year court dispute to determine his successor. The Cassilis  title and the Kennedy Chiefship was finally found in favour of  Sir Thomas Kennedy of Culzean.  Succeded by his brother David in 1775, it was he who commissioned the architect Robert Adam to build the castle at Culzean, on the site of an ancient Kennedy castle. This is now considered by many as Adam’s finest work. Culzean Castle has been the seat of the Chief of the Kennedys since the 15^th century and was handed over by the Kennedys to the National Trust for Scotland in 1945. They continued to stay in the west wing of the castle for a number of years before moving to Cassillis House.

The present day Chief, is Marquess of Ailsa, Archibald Angus Charles Kennedy, (19^th Earl of Cassillis) he continues to use Cassillis House as the family home.

Many of the Kennedys went south to Dublin and mingled with the Irish clan. Because of this interaction, the Chief of Kennedy recognises all Kennedys as part of the clan.

The Kennedy Clan crest depicts a dolphin swimming and the proud Kennedy clan motto reads "Avise la fin" which means "Consider the end"

Scottish law recognises the existence of Scottish Clans, Chiefs and Chieftains, but only as a social dignity or precedence.

The meaning of the word clan (translated from the Gaelic word Clann) means children and in earlier times clan members believed themselves to be descended from a common ancestor, the founder of the clan.

The clan chief is the representative of this founder.