| Clan Grant | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Clann Grannd [1] | |||
 Crest: An image of a burning hill. | |||
| Motto | Stand Fast [2] | ||
| Slogan | "Craig Elachie!" | ||
| Profile | |||
| District | Strathspey, [2] Glen Urquhart, [2] Glenmoriston [2] and Loch Ness. [2] | ||
| Plant badge | Pine [2] | ||
| Pipe music | Stand fast Craigellachie [2] | ||
| Chief | |||
 | |||
| The Rt. Hon. Michael Grant of Grant | |||
| The 7th Lord Strathspey | |||
| Historic seat | Castle Grant [3] | ||
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Clan Grant is a Highland Scottish clan, with one main branch, Grant of Grant, and several cadet branches, such as Grant of Glenmoriston.
The Chiefs of Clan Grant descended from Normans who arrived in Scotland during the medieval period, bearing the French name le Grand ('the tall', 'large'). [5] [6] [7] The first Grants to appear in Scotland are recorded in the 13th century when they acquired the lands of Stratherrick. Sir Laurence le Grant, son of Gregory le Grant, was Sheriff of Inverness. [7] [8]
During the Wars of Scottish Independence, Clan Grant were supporters of William Wallace, and John and Randolph Grant were captured at the Battle of Dunbar (1296). [7] The Clan Grant later supported Robert the Bruce in competition for the Scottish Crown. [7] The victory of Robert the Bruce confirmed the Grants in their lands of Strathspey, where they became established Highland chiefs. [7]
The acquisition of Castle Grant occurred during the 14th century. Originally a Clan Comyn stronghold, tradition holds that the castle was taken from the Comyns by a combined force of Grants and MacGregors. [3]
The next available reference is of Duncan le Grant in 1434, and later, Sir Duncan Grant of Freuchie (Castle Grant), who inherited land in Dulnain valley in upper Speyside from his mother, Matilda of Glencarnie. Her family had partially owned it since 1180, when the Crown gave Kinveachy (approximately ten miles southwest of Castle Grant) to Gille Brigte, Earl of Strathearn.
By the 16th century the clan and its chief had become powerful enough to play a part in national politics. [9] Their main allies being the Clan Gordon, whose chief was the powerful Earl of Huntly. [9]
In 1535 James Grant, 3rd Laird of Freuchie was made responsible for the policing of Strathspey. [10]
In 1580 Robert Grant, champion of the Grants, defeated an English champion at a jousting tournament while on an embassy in England. [10] Towards the end of the 16th century the Grants began to quarrel with their old allies the Gordons, over religion. [11] The Grants being Protestant and the Gordons being Catholic. [11]
In 1586 the Earl of Huntly allied with the Clan MacDonald and Clan Cameron who both had a history of raiding the Grant's lands. [11] The Grants responded by bringing in the Clan Gregor but they came off worse in a clash at Ballindalloch. [11] By the late 16th century, Clan Grant had become an important clan in the Scottish Highlands. During this period, the clan's actions resulted in the murder of the Earl of Moray and the defeat of the Earl of Argyll at the Battle of Glenlivet in 1594. The Chief of Clan Grant ordered his men to retreat as soon as the action began. This treacherous move led to the defeat of Clan Campbell of Argyll. [12]
In 1613 King James VI of Scotland wrote to John Grant of Freuchie chief of Clan Grant complaining that he was sheltering outlaws from the Clan MacGregor. [13] The chief responded by sending the notorious Alistair MacAllister MacGregor to Edinburgh. [13] However, the King was not satisfied and in 1615 fined Grant 16,000 merks for protecting the MacGregors. [13]
During the 1639–1651 Wars of the Three Kingdoms, Captain David Grant led his forces in support of the Covenanter forces against the Royalist forces at the Battle of Tippermuir in 1644. In October 1645, Clan Cameron raided the lands of the Clan Grant. [14] The Grants gave chase catching the Camerons in the Battle of the Braes of Strathdearn, where the Cameron men were defeated and many clansmen were slain. [14]
In 1651 James Grant, 7th of Freuchie, 18th Chief, led the clan as a Covenanter and suffered much as a result. He later supported the Marquis of Montrose. Also, an alliance between Grant and the Earl of Huntly led to the annihilation of the Clan Farquharson.
In 1689 Ludovic Grant, 8th of Freuchie, 19th Chief, referred to as the "Highland King", was a supporter of William of Orange and later also supported the Hanoverian succession. [15] Led by their Chief, the majority of the Clan were steadfast Loyalists. The Grants of Glenmoriston however were committed Jacobites throughout the period, notably fighting at the Battle of Killiecrankie in July 1689. [16] Clan Grant provided the bulk of the Williamite force under Sir Thomas Livingstone, that defeated the Jacobites at the Battle of Cromdale in May 1690. [16]
During the Jacobite rising of 1715 the main part of the Clan Grant supported the British Government. [16] In 1715 the Laird of Grant withdrew his forces which led to the defeat of government forces at the Skirmish of Alness. [17] However, soon after the Clan Grant helped retake Inverness from the Jacobites during Siege of Inverness (1715). [18] In 1715 the fighting force of the Clan Grant was given as 850 men by General George Wade. [15] At the Battle of Sheriffmuir in 1715, Grants fought on both sides. The British government forces won the battle with many of the Jacobites surrendering to General Alexander Grant, 2nd of Grant, 20th Chief.
General Wade's report on the Highlands in 1724, estimated the clan strength at 800 men. [19] In 1725, six Independent Highland Companies (Black Watch) were formed to support the Government. One from Clan Grant, one from Clan Fraser of Lovat, one from Clan Munro and three from Clan Campbell. In 1739, ten Independent Highland Companies were formed into the 43rd Highlanders (Black Watch) regiment. [20]
During the Jacobite rising of 1745 the Chief of Clan Grant again supported the British Government, as did most of the Clan. [21] However once again he withdrew his troops which again led to the defeat of government forces, this time at the Battle of Inverurie (1745). [22]
One branch of the Clan Grant, the Grants of Glenmoriston, sided with the Jacobites during the '45. They fought at the Battle of Prestonpans in 1745 and are credited with winning the day due to their timely reinforcement. The Grant of Glenmoriston branch also fought as Jacobites at the Battle of Culloden in 1746 under the command of the Duke of Perth. Eighty-four Grants of Glenmoriston were captured at Culloden and were transported to Barbados, in violation of their terms of surrender, where they were sold as indentured servants. [15]
At the Siege of Inverness (1746) the commander of the British-Hanoverian Government forces was Major George Grant, whilst amongst the Jacobite commanders was Colonel James Grant. [23]
Clan Grant was one of the few clans not to be affected by the Highland Clearances. The "Good Sir James" Grant (Clan Chief from 1773 to 1811) built the town of Grantown-on-Spey for the express purpose of providing for his clansmen to keep them from having to emigrate. While other Highlanders were emigrating in the face of the changes that were sweeping away the old Highland way of life, Sir James Grant was busy building an entire town, building schools, mills, factories, a hospital, an orphanage, etc. to provide for his Clan. Grantown-on-Spey is a monument to Sir James's loyalty to his clansmen.
During the later part of the 18th century two regiments were raised from the Clan Grant. Firstly the "Strathspey Fencibles" (otherwise known as the "Grant Fencibles") in 1793 and the "97th Regiment of Foot (Inverness-shire Highlanders)" (or "Strathspey Regiment") in 1794. The first was disbanded in 1799 and the second was used as marines on board Lord Howe's fleet and later drafted into other regiments in 1795. [15]
On his world tour in 1877, Ulysses S. Grant came to Scotland and he was accepted as a returning member of Clan Grant. [24]
Duthil Old Parish Church and Churchyard, which lies just outside the village of Duthil, Inverness-shire, now serves as a Clan Grant Centre. The site includes many memorials to clan members, such as Field Marshal Sir Patrick Grant, GCB GCMG (1804–1895), as well as a mausoleum of the Earls of Seafield.
During a visit to Winnipeg, Canada in July 2012, the chief of Clan Grant declared that Métis leader Cuthbert Grant was a member of the clan. This created a new sept of Clan Grant in Canada. [25] Visitors came from as far away as Scotland as well as from the Yukon, Montana and Manitoba where Grant descendants settled to take part in events arranged for Lord Strathspey's time in Canada. [26]
The current Chief of Clan Grant is the Rt Hon The Lord Strathspey (Sir Michael Grant of Grant, Bt, 7th Baron Strathspey, 34th hereditary Clan chief of Clan Grant).
The burning hill crest represents "Craig Elachie", the rallying point for the Grants. When signal fires were lit upon the summit of Craig Elachie, or "The Rock of Alarm", members of the clan would gather there in order to organise for an attack or defence.
The arms of Baron Strathspey as matriculated by the 32nd Chief in 1950 are shown above : Gules three antique crowns Or in the dexter canton Argent a saltire Azure surmounted of an inescutcheon Or charged with a lion rampant within a double tressure flory counter flory being the addition of a Nova Scotia as a baronet.
Clan Ross is a Highland Scottish clan. The original chiefs of the clan were the original Earls of Ross.
Clan Campbell is a Highland Scottish clan, historically one of the largest and most powerful of the Highland clans. The Clan Campbell lands are in Argyll and within their lands lies Ben Cruachan. The chief of the clan became Earl of Argyll and later Duke of Argyll.
Urquhart Castle is a ruined castle that sits beside Loch Ness in the Highlands of Scotland. The castle is on the A82 road, 21 kilometres (13 mi) south-west of Inverness and 2 kilometres (1.2 mi) east of the village of Drumnadrochit.
Clan Donald, also known as Clan MacDonald, is a Highland Scottish clan and one of the largest Scottish clans. The Lord Lyon King of Arms, the Scottish official with responsibility for regulating heraldry in that country, issuing new grants of coats of arms, and serving as the judge of the Court of the Lord Lyon, recognises under Scottish law the High Chief of Clan Donald. Historically the chiefs of the Clan Donald held the title of Lord of the Isles until 1493 and two of those chiefs also held the title of Earl of Ross until 1476. Queen Mary of Denmark is member of Clan Donald.
Clan Mackenzie is a Scottish clan, traditionally associated with Kintail and lands in Ross-shire in the Scottish Highlands. Traditional genealogies trace the ancestors of the Mackenzie chiefs to the 12th century. However, the earliest Mackenzie chief recorded by contemporary evidence is Alexander Mackenzie of Kintail who died some time after 1471. Traditionally, during the Wars of Scottish Independence, the Mackenzies supported Robert the Bruce, but feuded with the Earls of Ross in the latter part of the 14th century. During the 15th and 16th-centuries the Mackenzies feuded with the neighboring clans of Munro and MacDonald. In the 17th century the Mackenzie chief was made Earl of Seaforth in the peerage of Scotland. During the Scottish Civil War of the 17th century the Mackenzies largely supported the Royalists. During the Jacobite rising of 1715 the chief and clan of Mackenzie supported the Jacobite cause. However, during the Jacobite rising of 1745 the clan was divided with the chief, Kenneth Mackenzie, Lord Fortrose, supporting the British-Hanoverian Government and his relative, George Mackenzie, 3rd Earl of Cromartie, supporting the Jacobites.
Clan Macpherson is a Scottish clan from the Highlands and a member of the Chattan Confederation.
The Battle of Cromdale took place at the Haughs of Cromdale on 30 April and 1 May 1690. The site is on a hillside near the village of Cromdale, Strathspey, historically within the county of Inverness-shire. The battlefield has been included in the Inventory of Historic Battlefields in Scotland and protected by Historic Scotland under the Scottish Historical Environment Policy of 2009.
Clan MacDonell of Glengarry, also known as Clan Ranald of Knoydart & Glengarry is a Highland Scottish clan and is a branch of the larger Clan Donald. The clan takes its name from River Garry where the river Garry runs eastwards through Loch Garry to join the Great Glen about 16 miles (25 km) north of Fort William, Highland. The progenitor of the MacDonells of Glengarry is Reginald, 4th great-grandson of the warrior Somerled. The clan chief is traditionally designated as the "Son of Alexander's son".
Clan Cameron is a West Highland Scottish clan, with one main branch Lochiel, and numerous cadet branches. The Clan Cameron lands are in Lochaber and within their lands lies Ben Nevis which is the highest mountain in the British Isles. The Chief of the clan is customarily referred to as simply "Lochiel".
Clan Drummond is a Highland Scottish clan. The surname is rendered "Druimeanach" in modern Scottish Gaelic.
Clan MacDonald of Keppoch, also known as Clan MacDonellof Keppoch or Clan Ranald of Lochaber, is a Highland Scottish clan and a branch of Clan Donald. The progenitor of the clan is Alistair Carrach MacDonald, 4th great-grandson of the warrior Somerled. The clan chief is traditionally designated as the "Son of Ranald's son".
Clan Matheson is a Highland Scottish clan.
Castle Grant stands a mile north of Grantown-on-Spey and was the former seat of the Clan Grant chiefs of Strathspey in Highlands, Scotland. It was originally named Freuchie Castle but was renamed Grant in 1694. The castle is a Category A listed building and the grounds are included in the Inventory of Gardens and Designed Landscapes in Scotland.
Clan Munro is a Highland Scottish clan. Historically the clan was based in Easter Ross in the Scottish Highlands. Traditional origins of the clan give its founder as Donald Munro who came from the north of Ireland and settled in Scotland in the eleventh century, though its true founder may have lived much later. It is also a strong tradition that the Munro chiefs supported Robert the Bruce during the Wars of Scottish Independence. The first proven clan chief on record however is Robert de Munro who died in 1369; his father is mentioned but not named in a number of charters. The clan chiefs originally held land principally at Findon on the Black Isle but exchanged it in 1350 for Estirfowlys. Robert's son Hugh who died in 1425 was the first of the family to be styled "of Foulis", despite which clan genealogies describe him as 9th baron.
The Skirmish of Alness was a conflict that took place in October 1715 in Alness, in the county of Ross in the Scottish Highlands. It was part of the Jacobite rising of 1715 and pitted Highlanders loyal to the British-Hanoverian Government of George I of Great Britain against Highlanders loyal to the Jacobite House of Stuart.
The Independent Highland Companies were irregular militia raised from the Scottish clans of the Scottish Highlands by order of the Scottish government between 1603 and 1760 in order to help keep the peace and enforce the law in the Highlands and were recognized as such by the government. The officers of the Independent Highland Companies were commissioned as officers of the British Army but the Independent Companies were not recognized as official regiments of the line of the army. The Independent Highland Companies were the progenitors of the Highland Regiments of the British Army that began when ten Independent Highland Companies were embodied to form the Earl of Crawford's Highland Regiment that was numbered the 43rd Regiment of Foot in 1739.
Alexander Brodie, 19th of that Ilk was a Scottish politician and clan chief who served as the Lord Lyon King of Arms from 1727 to 1754. Born in Moray, Scotland into a Highland family, he also sat in the British House of Commons from 1720 to 1754, representing the constituencies of Elginshire, Caithness and Inverness Burghs.
George Mackay, 3rd Lord Reay (1678–1748), was a Scottish noble and chief of the Clan Mackay, a Scottish clan of the Scottish Highlands. During his life the Glorious Revolution took place which directly affected his family and estate, and during his chiefdom he served the British-Hanoverian Government during the Jacobite rising of 1715 and the Jacobite rising of 1745.
The Grants of Glenmoriston were a Scottish noble family and branch of Clan Grant. Based at Invermoriston, their lands revolved around the River Moriston, near Loch Ness. In Scottish Gaelic they were known as Clann Phàdraig.
Ludovick Grant, 1st of Grant and 8th of Freuchie (1641–1717) was a Scottish politician and soldier. He was the 19th Chief of Clan Grant and referred to as the "Highland King."
