The Clan Logan

Clan Chief:            No current chief, considered an Armigerous clan.

Origin of Name:    Placename, Lothians

Gaelic Name:        Loganaich

Clan Crest             A passion-nail piercing a man's heart

Clan Motto:           Hoc Majorum Virtus (This is the valour of my ancestors).

Lands:                    Drumderfit in Easter Ross, Black Isle in Ross-shire.

The Logan name resounds down through the pages of Scotland’s history for over nine hundred years. The first to appear in the old records was Robert Logan who, as a man of some importance, witnessed several documents by King William the Lion between 1196 and 1214. Several other Logans, under duress, signed an oath of fealty to King Edward of England, but then fought against him on the side of William Wallace and later for King Robert Bruce.  King Robert, with the help of the Logans defeated the English forces and, culminating in the Battle of Bannockburn, expelled them from Scotland. During this time, the estate of Restalrig, upon which the town and major port of Leith stands, became the possession of the Logans.

King Robert had wished to visit the Holy Land but died before realising his desire. To achieve this, Sir Robert and Sir Walter Logan accompanied Sir James Douglas (the Black Douglas) and a group of other Scottish knights in an expedition to bury the heart of their King in the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem. Whilst on passage through Spain, the Spanish king asked for their assistance in a coming battle against the Arabs who were in possession of a large part of Spain. Upon the Plains of Granada, the battle hardened and aggressive Scots led the charge into the larger army of the Arabs and almost caused a rout of the enemy but the rest of the Spanish army held back and would not follow. With the whole of the enemy army now surrounding them, Douglas threw the silver casket containing King Robert the Bruce’s heart far into the enemy. The Logans and the rest of the Scots knights charged into the ring of Moorish spears after their King. The Black Douglas was cut down and Sir Robert and Sir Walter fell beside him. The Crest of the Logan Clan is a human heart pierced with a passion nail and their motto is “Hoc Majorum Virtus”  meaning “This is the valour of my ancestors”. A fitting, emotive Crest and Motto for the Logan Family

One of the great Logans was another Sir Robert Logan of Restalrig, who married the Granddaughter of King Robert Bruce and gave his descendants a direct line back to the greatest of the Royal lines of Scotland. He increased the landholdings by adding estates in Berwickshire, Ayrshire, Perthshire, Renfrewshire and Aberdeen. He also held the Barony of Abernethy in Strathspey.

Almost two hundred years later, in 1608, The Laird of Restalrig, another Sir Robert Logan, although dead for two years was accused of plotting against King James the Sixth, found guilty and the Logan lands were seized by the Crown. The name Logan itself was even banned for a time and the family dispersed. Many of the Logan name, of course, again rose to prominence, such as James Logan, who accompanied Penn to Pennsylvania in 1699 and rose to become governor of the Colony.

The Clan Logan crest shows a passion-nail piercing a man's heart and the proud Logan clan motto "Hoc Majorum Virtus" meaning "This is the valour of my ancestors".

Clan Cunningham

Clan Chief:   THE LORD LYON KING OF ARMS FOR SCOTLAND NAMES SIR JOHN MONTGOMERY CUNINGHAME OF THAT ILK, BARONET CORSEHILL, HEAD & CHIEF OF CLAN CUNNINGHAM

For over 200 years our Clan, Clan Cunningham has been without a Clan Chief. This past week The Lord Lyon King of Arms for Scotland named Sir John Montgomery Cuninghame of that Ilk, Baronet Corsehill the rightful Head & Chief of Clan Cunningham. Clan Cunningham International welcomes Sir John as the Head of Clan Cunningham.            

Last Clan Chief:        John Cunningham, the 14^th Earl of Glencairn,

                             died without issue in 1796.

Gaelic Name:            Cuinneag 

Origin of name:        Placename, Ayrshire.

Clan Crest:                A Unicorn's head.

Clan Motto:               Over Fork Over.

Clan seat:                 Caprington Castle, Kilmarnock, Ayrshire.

The Clan Cunningham motto, "over fork over", refers to a story of Malcolm  Canmore, the prince of Scotland, who was fleeing from the soldiers of King Macbeth.  Whilst trying to escape, Malcolm came upon a hay farmer who is said to have buried him "Over, fork over" with hay, to hide him.  This may seem like an insignificant thing to base a Clan motto upon, but with his succession to the throne King Malcolm 111 effectively bestowed the Cunningham area in the Ayrshire region to the young hay farmer. The farmers name was Malcolm Friskin, and although he did not take up the name of Cunningham himself, it was adopted by further generations of the family.

Further land was given to Clan Cunningham by Robert the Bruce for their support of him during his rising to King, the new land was mostly what is now known a Lumberton in 1319.  The Clan Cunningham spread further still, through marriages between the Cunningham Clan and other families, to what it is today.

The last Chief of Clan Cunningham, John Cunningham,15th Earl of Glencairn died on September 29th, 1796, leaving no heirs. In 2003, restoration and a new monument of a carving of the Clencairn Arms,was comissioned from the Lord Lyon King of Arms, and erected at the church located just below Edinburgh Castle, adjacent to the Princess Gardens. Thus creating a wonderful focal point for Cunningham clansmen lucky enough to be visiting Edinburgh.

The Clan Cunningham Crest is adorned with a unicorn. In ancient tradition the unicorn is meant to represent "extreme courage, strength and virtue"  and Clan Cunningham has been blessed with a number of talented members who fit this description.  These have included Alexander Cunningham a famed historical writer; Charles Cunningham, an artist, whose work which still hang today in the Hermitage Palace in St Petersburg and in Berlin; and Alan Cunningham, a poet and writer who during his life enjoyed fame and upon his death a song was dedicated to him by Robert Burns. 

"The mother may forget the child that smiles sae sweetly on her knee:

But I'll remember thee, Glencairn, and a' that thou hast done for me."

His work was also supported by Sir Walter Scott who provided for his two sons after his death in 1828.

The Cunningham Clan Crest shows a Unicorn’s head and the proud Cunningham clan motto "Over fork over"

Inveraray Castle

Located in western Scotland, on the original site of Inveraray village, Inveraray Castle is the seat of the Duke of Argyll, chief of Clan Campbell.

 It was commissioned in 1746, by Archibald Campbell, who had the village of Inveraray demolished and rebuilt, so it would not spoil the castle view.

Inveraray Castle incorporates multiple styles, including Gothic, Baroque and Palladian, featuring a square layout with four round towers at its corners, topped by conical spires.

It is  surrounded by a 2-acre garden and a huge, 14-acre park. Inveraray is now the home of Torquhil Campbell, 13th Duke of Argyll and opened for visitors during the summer season (April-October). 

Ramsay Clan Crest

Clan Chief:           James Ramsay, 17th Earl of Dalhousie, Banff

Origin of Name:    Ramsaidh derived from The French name de ramesie.

Gaelic Name:       Ramsaidh (Ramsay)

Clan Crest:            A Unicorn's head

Clan Motto:           Ora et Labora (Pray and work).

Lands:                   Banff

The Ramsay Clan Crest is a Unicorn's head and the proud Ramsay clan motto, “Ora et Labora” meaning (Pray and work).The Ramsays are of noble blood, descending from a powerful Norman family who were courted to settle in Scotland by King David I. The King's esteem for the Ramsays is evidenced in his grant of lands in Midlothian to Symon de Ramesie after 1124. The Clan Ramsay flourished on their lands, and gained further royal favour through their resolute support of the Scottish Crown. 

The Ramsays supported the great Robert the Bruce in his quest to free Scotland from the shackles of the English overlords. Following the Scottish victory at Bannockburn in 1314, the Ramsays continued to champion the Scottish cause. One of Scotland's most historic documents, the Declaration of Arbroath, which affirms Scotland's independence, contains the signature of William Ramsay. His son, Alexander, a renowned knight, was made Sheriff of Teviotdale in 1342, until his position was usurped by powerful rival factions. Clan Ramsay was never hesitant to bear arms in defence of their homeland. The Ramsays defended their Dalhousie Castle against the massed troops of Henry IV of England so stoutly that the English were forced to abandon the siege and withdraw in 1400. In 1493, Alexander Ramsay laid down his life beside his monarch, James IV, fighting the English at the Battle of Flodden. However, the Clan's deeds were not simply limited to their bravery on the battlefield.

The Ramsays foiled an attempt on the life of James VI, when John Ramsay slayed the Earl of Gowrie and his brother as they endeavoured to kidnap the King. Such gallantry met with great rewards. The grateful sovereign bestowed John with the titles of Earl of Holderness and Viscount Haddington. His elder brother, George, was created Lord Ramsay in 1618. George's eldest son, William, was granted the Earldom of Dalhousie in 1633. The Ramsays were always prominent in the affairs of Scotland, holding important military and civil positions. Ramsays were involved in most of the great campaigns of the 18th and 19th Centuries, fighting in Europe, Canada and India. The 9th Earl acted as Governor of Canada from 1819 to 1828, and then was appointed as Commander-in-Chief of India. His son followed proudly in his footsteps, serving as Governor-General of India from 1847 to 1856. 
Clan Ramsay has also given rise to some great intellectuals and artists, including the 18th Century poet Alan Ramsay and his son, a celebrated portrait painter. 

The Chief of Clan Ramsay is the 17th Earl of Dalhousie, James Ramsay and the chief seat is Brechin Castle in Angus. Dalhousie Castle is still intact, and is now a hotel.

The Ramsay Clan Crest is a Unicorn's head and the proud Ramsay clan motto, “Ora et Labora” meaning (Pray and work).