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).