| Clan MacLennan | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Mac Gille Fhinnein [1] | |||
| Motto | Dum spiro spero [2] While I breathe I hope. | ||
| Profile | |||
| Plant badge | Furze [3] | ||
| Chief | |||
 | |||
| Ruairidh Donald George MacLennan of MacLennan [4] | |||
| The Chief of the Name and Arms of MacLennan [4] | |||
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Clan MacLennan, also known as Siol Ghillinnein, [3] is a Highland Scottish clan which historically populated lands in the north-west of Scotland. The surname MacLennan in Scottish Gaelic is Mac Gille Fhinnein, meaning the son of the follower of St Finnan. [1]
The MacLennans settled around Kintail and belongs to a class of Highland surnames which is ecclesiastichal in origin. In olden times, men were dedicated by their own devotion, or more frequently by the devotion of their parents to some particular Saint, and to express at once their homage to the Saint and the relation in which they wished to be regarded to him, under whose protection and patronage they placed themselves, or had been placed, they assumed the name of the Saint, prefixing to it "Maol" or "Gillie." The later word simply means "Servant." There are many names in the Highlands thus formed from the names of Saints, and dedications to them, such as Malcolm, Gilbride, Gillchrist. In assuming a surname from a name so formed, the prefix "Gille" is dropped - when rendered into english - if the name commences with a consonant, e.g. MacCallum, MacBride. If however, the name commences with a vowel, whilst retaining"Gillie" in gaelic, the "Mac" is followed in English rendering by "L" - thus, Mac Gilleoin becomes MacLean, Mac Gille Adnamhnam become Mac Lennon. The MacLennons have a long and rich history. The Abbot MacLeinan (ach) died and was buried at St. Blane's church on the Isle of Bute in 776 A.D. in 1217, a Charter of Alexander II, to Duncan MacLennan, who could be the originator of the MacLennan branch Gillenem, Strathearn, who over the years became MacLennans of Galloway and Kirkcudbright. Also in 1217, A Charter to 3rd Earl of Levenaxe to Malcolm, the son of Duncan MacLennan and Eva. In 1372 at the hands of the Frasers, and MacRaes of Aird, the MacLennans were defeated at the Battle of Drumderfit, hence Clan War Cry "Druim na Deur", or Ridge of Tears. The account of the fight at Drumderfit as given by Anderson in his "Family of Fraser" seems to fit authentic history. About the year 1372 the MacLennans pillaged Tain and Chanonry after which, marching eastward, they encamped on rising ground between Munlochy, and the ferry of Kessock. The Laird of Lovat, having raised a number of his own vassals, and some belonging to the Earl of Ross, surprised the invaders early in the morning at a place called Drumderfit. Of the vanquished, but one escaped and he is said to have owed his preservation to a country basket called a Lobban, or Currich, still occasionally used as a substitute for a cart, under which he concealed himself. His descendants to this day inhabit the neighbourhood and have assumed the surname of Loban, or Logan. They have been so long tenants there that the local proverb says "as long as the Lobbans of Drumderfit."
The shield of the chief of the Clan MacLennan also shows their link to the Clan Mackenzie, whose banner was the caber-feidh. [1] The Clan MacLennan along with the Clan Macrae were strong supporters of the Mackenzies and may at one time have been custodians of the Mackenzie's castle at Eilean Donan. [1]
In 1452 the Clan MacLennan as septs or allies of the Clan Mackenzie of Kintail fought at the Battle of Bealach nam Broig against the Frasers under Lord Lovat and the Munros of Foulis: [5] [6] [7]
"A desperate skirmish, which took place some time before this, at Bealach nam Broig, "betwixt the heights of Fearann Donuil and Lochbraon," was brought about by some of Mackenzie of Kintail's vassals, instigated by Donald Garbh Maciver attempting to seize the Earl of Ross, but the plot having been discovered, Maciver was seized by the Earl of Ross, Lord of the Isles' followers, and imprisoned in Dingwall. He was soon releawsed, however, by his undaunted countrymen from Kenlochewe, followers of Mackenzie of Kintial, consisting of Macivers, Maclennans, Macaulays, and Macleays, who, by way of reprisal, pursued and seized the Earl's son at Balnagown, and carried him along with them. His father, Earl John, at once apprised the Lord Lovat, who was then His Majesty's Lieutenant in the North, of the illegal seizure of his son, and he at once dispatched sic northward two hundred men, who, joined by Ross's vassals, the Munros of Fowlis, and the Dingwalls of Kildun, pursued and overtook the western tribes at Bealach nam Broig, where they were resting themselves. A desperate and bloody conflict ensued, aggravated and exasperated by a keen and bitter recollection of ancient feud and animosities. The Kenlochewe men (Macivers, Maclennans, Macaulays, and Macleays) seem to have been completely extirpated and defeated. The race of Dingwall was actually extinguished, one hundred and forty of their men having been slain, and the Munro family of Fowlis although rescuing the hostage, lost eleven members of their house alone, with many of the leading men of their clan. [8]
During the Civil War the Clan MacLennan came to prominence as followers of the Mackenzie chief. [1] The Mackenzie chief was a Covenanter who fought against the royalist commander James Graham, 1st Marquis of Montrose. [1] The MacLennans and Mackenzies fought against the royalists at the Battle of Auldearn in 1645 but were defeated. [1] At the battle the Clan MacLennan were led by their chief Ruaridh, a red-bearded giant standing well over six feet tall. [1] [9]
James Graham the Marquess of Montrose was heavily outnumbered but his strategic genius more than compensated for it. [1] He massed his banners, hoping to deceive the enemy as to the location of his main force. The ruse succeeded, forcing the Covenanters to mass their forces for a full assault. Graham the Marquess of Montrose outflanked Lord Mackenzie of Seaforth, turning the tide of battle in his favour. The Maclennans were sent an order to withdraw, but it was never delivered. Ruaridh and his men fought to the last, defending Seaforth’s standard. [1] They were finally cut down by the Clan Gordon cavalry. [1] [9]
The decimated Clan MacLennan played little part in the Jacobite risings, however eleven MacLennans are recorded as being taken prisoner after the Battle of Culloden. [1] After Culloden the clan system began to fall apart and many MacLennans emigrated to the new world. [1] There are MacLennan Mountains in New Zealand and a McLennan County in the state of Texas, USA. [1]
Prior to 1976 there had not been a recognized MacLennan chief for over three hundred years. [1] In 1977, the Lord Lyon King of Arms recognised Ronald George MacLennan as the 'Chief of the Name and Arms of MacLennan. However, a man named William MacLennan from Sydney, Australia, came forward with evidence of his direct descent from the senior line of the clan in the male lineage. The Lord Lyon King of Arms then granted him the right to bear arms, but William did not challenge Ronald MacLennan's position as chief, despite his superior lineage. Following Ronald's death in 1989, his son and heir, Ruairidh Donald George MacLennan of MacLennan, became the youngest clan chief in Scotland at the age of 13.
In 1990, William MacLennan petitioned the Lord Lyon Court, challenging the chiefship. The matter remained unresolved until 2000 when William's son, who had inherited the chieftainship in 1990, withdrew the legal challenge. However, the son still had the option to contest the chiefship in the future if he wished to do so. The dispute over the chiefship between the MacLennan descendants was finally settled with William's son withdrawing the challenge, bringing some resolution to the matter. [10] The modern-day Clan MacLennan has active associations in Scotland, Australia, Canada, the USA and New Zealand. The clan chief resides in Dores, Inverness, Scotland.
MacLennan Tartan: Fractional count of threads given by James Logan in 1831: 8 yellow, 4 black, 4 red, 56 green, 42 black, 56 blue, 6 red, 6 blue, 6 red, 10 blue, 18 red (centre) "Middle Line is Thicher, signifying a battle honor." Logan Taran: is different recorded in Dundee in 1793: 2 blue, 6 red, 18 green, 6 red, 2 blue, 6 red, 18 blue (NO YELLOW). MacLennan Tartan: 176 blue, 30 black, 18 green, 24 red, 40 green, 6 black, 16 yellow, 6 black, 40 green, 24 red, 18 green, 30 black, 48 blue, 30 black.
Clan Ross is a Highland Scottish clan. The original chiefs of the clan were the original Earls of Ross.
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.
The Clan Macrae is a Highland Scottish clan. The clan has no chief; it is therefore considered an armigerous clan.
Clan MacDonell of Glengarry, also known as Clan Ranald of Knoydart & Glengarry is a 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".
Dingwall or Dingwell is a Scottish surname but is of Viking origin. One of the most prominent families by the name of Dingwall in Scotland were the Dingwalls of Kildun who were vassals of the Earl of Ross and also septs of the Clan Munro, a Scottish clan of the Scottish Highlands.
Castle Chanonry of Ross, also known as Seaforth Castle, was located in the town of Fortrose, to the north-east of Inverness, on the peninsula known as the Black Isle, Highland, Scotland. Nothing now remains of the castle. The castle was also known as Canonry or Chanonrie of Ross, the former county.
Clan Macdonald of Clanranald, also known as Clan Ranald, is a Highland Scottish clan and a branch of Clan Donald, one of the largest Scottish clans. The founder of the Macdonalds of Clanranald is Reginald, 4th great-grandson of Somerled. The Macdonalds of Clanranald descend from Reginald's elder son Allan and the MacDonells of Glengarry descend from his younger son Donald. The clan chief of the MacDonalds of Clanranald is traditionally designated as The Captain of Clanranald and today both the chief and clan are recognised by the Lord Lyon King of Arms, the heraldic judge in Scotland.
The Munros of Milntown were a family cadet branch of the Highland Clan Munro. As the earliest recorded cadet branch of the Munro chiefs, the Munros of Milntown were the 'senior' cadet branch of the clan, and spawned many cadet branches. They were frequently recorded as 'Monro' as well as Munro. The Munros of Milntown are notable for being involved in events concerning the history of the late Middle Ages in the Scottish Highlands.
Sir Robert Munro, 5th Baronet of Foulis was also 23rd Baron and 26th chief of the Clan Munro. He became blind and was known as the Blind Baron.
The Battle of Bealach nam Broig was a battle fought between Scottish clans from the lands of north-west Ross, against north-eastern clans of Ross who supported the Earl of Ross. The actual date of the battle is debated, it probably occurred in 1452 but the Conflicts of the Clans suggests a date as early as 1299.
Clan MacIver or Clan MacIvor, also known as Clan Iver, is a Scottish clan recognised by the Lord Lyon King of Arms. The clan, however, does not have a chief recognised by the Lord Lyon King of Arms. Because of this the clan can be considered an armigerous clan. The clan name of MacIver is of Gaelic origin, derived from an Old Norse personal name. Various forms of the surname MacIver, like MacGiver, are considered sept names of several historically large Scottish clans, such as clans Campbell and Mackenzie. There exists a Clan Iver society in Fife, Scotland.
The Battle of Logiebride or Logie-Riach, also known as a Tumult in Ross was more of a small skirmish rather than an actual battle. The disturbance is said to have taken place on 4 February 1597 at the Logie Candlemas market near Conan House between men of the Clan Mackenzie against men of the Clan Munro and the Bain family of Tulloch Castle.
Robert Mor Munro, 15th Baron of Foulis, and 18th chief of the Clan Munro was a 16th-century Scottish chief. He was known as Robert Mor on account of his large stature. He was the eldest son of Robert Munro, 14th Baron of Foulis. Although this Robert Munro is traditionally 15th Baron and 18th overall chief of the clan, he is only the 8th Munro chief that can be proved by contemporary evidence.
Alexander Mackenzie, known as "Ionraic", traditionally counted as 6th of Kintail, was the first chief of the Clan Mackenzie of whom indisputable contemporary documentary evidence survives. During his long life, he greatly expanded his clan's territories and influence.
George Munro of Foulis is traditionally the 10th Baron and 13th successive chief of the Clan Munro. However, he is only the third successive chief of the clan who can be proved by contemporary evidence. He was the eldest son of Hugh Munro, 9th Baron of Foulis and was seated at Foulis Castle.
Sir William Munro of Foulis was a Scottish Knight and Scottish clan chief of the highland Clan Munro. He is by tradition the 12th Baron of Foulis and 15th overall chief of the clan. However, he is actually only the 5th chief of the Clan Munro who can be proved by contemporary evidence.
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 siege of Brahan took place in Scotland in November 1715 and was part of the Jacobite rising of 1715. Highlanders loyal to the British-Hanoverian government of George I of Great Britain laid siege to Brahan Castle, seat of William Mackenzie, 5th Earl of Seaforth, who was a staunch Jacobite, loyal to the House of Stuart.
The Battle of Drumchatt, or Druim-a-Chait, was a Scottish clan battle claimed by non-contemporary historians to have taken place in the year 1501 near Strathpeffer, in the Scottish Highlands. It was allegedly fought between the Clan Mackenzie and the Clan Munro. Mackenzie chronicles have claimed a signal victory.
The dispute over the lands of Beauly Priory took place in about 1577-78 in Beauly, Inverness-shire, Scottish Highlands. It was contested between Colin Cam Mackenzie, 11th of Kintail, chief of Clan Mackenzie and Thomas Fraser of Knockie who was the tutor to the young Simon Fraser, 6th Lord Lovat, chief of the Clan Fraser of Lovat. Fraser was supported by Robert Mor Munro, 15th Baron of Foulis.
13. "The History of the MacLennans" copyright, Ronald G. MacLennan of MacLennan, Clachan, Lochbroom, Ullapool 1978