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Home | CLAN MOTTO : I SHINE NOT BURN | The Celtic Mackenzies are descended
from Coinnich, 'bright one' in Gaelic, the grandson of
Colin, who died in 1278 and from whom the earls of Ross
are descended. David II gave Murdoch, son of Kenneth, the
lands of Kintail in 1362. In 1623, James VI made Colin
Mackenzie the Earl of Seaforth. The 5th Earl lost his
title and estates fighting for James Stuart, the Old
Pretender, at the Battle of Sheriffmuir in 1715. Kenneth,
the 5th Earl's grandson, repurchased his lands and was
restored to the Seaforth title in 1771. In 1778 he raised
the Seaforth Highlanders.
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| CLAN MOTTO : FORTUNE ASSISTS THE DARING |
The MacKinnons, also known as Clan
Fingon, are a branch of Clan Alpine, descended from
Fingon, Kenneth MacAlpine's great-grandson. Their lands
were on Mull and Skye and they were custodians of the
standards of weights and measures for the Lords of the
Isles. In 1650 they fought at the Battle of Worcester,
and, in 1715, John Dhu MacKinnon fought at Sheriffmuir.
The MacKinnon chief was imprisoned after Culloden, but
was eventually released because of his old age and bad
health.
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| CLAN MOTTO : TOUCH NOT THE CAT WITHOUT A GLOVE | Mac an Toisich means 'son of
the chief', and the first Mackintosh was said to be the
son of MacDuff, the clan who were the ancestors of the
Earls of Fife. The 6th Laird, Angus, married the heiress
fo Clan Chattan in 1291, becoming its chief. Angus later
supported Robert the Bruce in his fight against the
Comyns. In 1745, Angus, the then chief, fought with the
Black Watch on the side of the Government but his wife, 'Colonel
Anne' Farquharson raised the clan for Prince Charles.
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| CLAN MOTTO : BRAVE AND TRUSTY | The MacLachlans are a Celtic clan, and
claim descent from the ancient Irish Kings, although
their name comes from Lochlann, which is 'Norway'
in Gaelic. Their lands were at Strathlachlan, near Lock
Fyne. The MacLachlans were followers of the Lords of the
Isles, but later the MacLachlans of Coire-unan became
standard bearers to Cameron of Lochiel. In 1689, the
MacLachlans fought at Killiecrankie with Viscount Dundee.
Chief Lachlan MacLachlan and his son both died at
Culloden but Robert MacLachlan regained the family
estates in 1749.
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| CLAN MOTTO : THE BOAR'S ROCK | The MacLarens claim descent from Lorn,
son of Eric, who came to Scotland in 503. In any case, by
the 12th century they had lands in Balquhidder and
Strathearn. In the 14th century, the MacLarens lost the
lands of Strathearn to the Crown, but continued to be
loyal, fighting for James III at Sauchieburn in 1488, at
Flodden in 1513 for James IV, and at Pinkie Cleugh for
Mary, Queen of Scots in 1547. The clan also fought at
Culloden, where MacLaren of Invernenty was taken prisoner,
although he later managed to escape.
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| CLAN MOTTO : VIRTUE MINE HONOUR | The Macleans are descended from Gillean
of the Battle Axe. The main branch, the Macleans of Duart,
are descended from his son Lachlan Lubonach and had lands
on Mull and other Western Isles. They followed the
MacDougalls of Lorn and the Lords of the Isles until the
lordship was abolished. One chief, Lachlan Maclean,
married the sister of Campbell of Argyll. As she was
childless, he had her tied to a rock, hoping that the
tide would drown her. She was saved by a fisherman and
Lachlan was killed by her brother in Edinburgh in 1523.
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| CLAN MOTTO : HOLD FAST | The MacLeods are descended from Leod,
son of the 13th century Olave the Black, King of Man. The
main branch is called Clan Tormod from Leod's son. With
lands on St. Kilda, Harris and Skye, the Macleods were at
war with the MacDonalds for a long time. They supported
Charles I and Charles II but, as they were practically
wiped out at the Battle of Worcester in 1651, they did
not take part in the Jacobite risings. Their castle,
Dunvegan Castle on Skye, has been continuously inhabited
by their chiefs, the MacLeods of of MacLeod, for over 20
generations.
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| CLAN MOTTO : I LEARN TO SUCCOUR THE DISTRESSED | The Gaelic name of Mac Mhaolain, ' the son of the bald one', or tonsured priest, suggests
that the Macmillans are related to one of the old Celtic
monastic families. Malcolm Mor Macmillan was granted a
charter, in 1390, from the Lord of the Isles to lands at
Knapdale for 'so long as the wave beats on the rock'. The
clan lost most of their lands in the 15th century. Harold
Macmillan was Prime Minister from 1957-63, Kirkpatrick
Macmillan (1813-78) invented the pedal bicycle.
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| CLAN MOTTO : LET FEAR BE FROM ALL | The Macnabs are a branch of Clan Alpine,
known as Clann-an-Aba, the clan of the Abbot,
and are descended from the abbots of Glendochart,
although their line may go back to St Fillan mac Feradach,
of the house of Lorn, who died in 793. The clan supported
the MacDougalls against Robert the Bruce at Bannockburn
in 1314, losing most of their lands, except the Barony of
Bowain, which David II confirmed as theirs in 1336. In
1746, the chief fought for the Government, his clan for
Prince Charles.
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| CLAN MOTTO : I HOPE IN GOD | An ancient clan, the name Neachdainn,
which means 'pure one' in Gaelic, can be traced back
to the Pictish Kings of Bude. Gilchrist MacNaughton was
made keeper of the castle of Fraoch Eilean on Loch Awe in
1267 and the clan also held the castles of Dubh-Loch in
Glenshira and Dunderave on Loch Fyne. They lost many of
their lands after Bannockburn, having opposed Robert the
Bruce, but David II granted them lands in Lewis. After
fighting for Dundee at the battle of Killiecrankie the
clan lost their estates again in 1689.
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| CLAN MOTTO : TO CONQUER OR DIE | The MacNeils are a Celtic clan and
claim descent from the Irish High King Niall of the Nine
Hostages who came to Barra in 1049. As a follower of the
Lord of the Isles, Gilleonan MacNeil was officially
granted Barra and lands in South uist in 1427, and this
was confirmed by James IV in 1495. Later, the MacNeils of
Barra followed the Macleans of Duart, often having to
fight the MacNeils of Gigha, their kinsmen, who supported
the MacDonalds of Islay, the Macleans' sworn enemies.
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