Clan MacGillivray facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Clan MacGillivray
Motto	Touch not this cat
War cry	Dunmaghlas
Profile
Plant badge	Boxwood & Red Whortleberry
Pipe music	"Loch Moidh" (Loch Moy)
Clan MacGillivray has no chief, and is an armigerous clan
Historic seat	Dunmaglas
Last Chief	John Farquhar MacGillivray
Died	1942
Commander	Iain Donald MacGillivray
Allied clans Chattan Confederation Clan Mackintosh Clan MacPhail Clan MacBean Clan Shaw of Tordarroch Clan Farquharson Clan MacThomas Clan Davidson Clan MacQueen MacIntyres of Badenoch
Rival clans Clan Cameron

Clan MacGillivray is a historic Scottish clan from the Highlands of Scotland. It is part of a larger group of clans called the Clan Chattan Confederation. Today, the clan does not have a chief, which is like a traditional leader. However, in 2016, a special meeting was held, and Iain Donald MacGillivray was chosen to be the clan's commander. This role helps lead the clan until a new chief can be officially recognized.

History of Clan MacGillivray

Early Beginnings

The MacGillivray clan was important even before the Norsemen (Vikings) left the Outer Hebrides islands in the 12th century. In 1222, King Alexander II of Scotland took control of Argyll. Because of this, the clan Mhic Gillebrath (the old name for MacGillivray) spread out. Some members stayed on the Isle of Mull, while others settled in Morvern.

There's a story that says the MacGillivray chief decided to join forces with the chiefs of Clan Mackintosh. The Mackintosh chiefs were also leaders of the Chattan Confederation. After this, Clan MacGillivray became a strong part of the Clan Chattan group.

From the 16th to 17th Centuries

The MacGillivray clan was first officially recorded in Dunmaglass in 1549. In 1609, there was a big meeting of the Chattan Confederation. At this meeting, all the clans promised their loyalty to the Mackintosh chief. The MacGillivray clan was represented by Malcolm MacGillivray and Duncan MacGillivray. The MacGillivrays faced challenges because of their religious beliefs at the time.

The 18th Century and Jacobite Risings

Like many other clans in the Chattan Confederation, the MacGillivrays strongly supported the Jacobite risings. These were attempts to bring the Stuart kings back to the Scottish and English thrones in 1715 and 1745.

During the 1745 rising, the chief of the Mackintoshes was actually fighting for the British Army. But his wife, Lady Anne Mackintosh, gathered the Chattan Confederation to support the Jacobites. She put Chief Alexander MacGillivray in charge of the Clan Chattan regiment.

Sadly, Alexander MacGillivray was killed while leading his clan at the Battle of Culloden in 1746. Many of his followers also died in the battle. A special graveyard at Dunlichity remembers the many MacGillivrays who fell there. After this battle, many MacGillivrays moved across the Atlantic Ocean to new lands. Many of them became successful, especially as traders.

Clan Leadership

The last chief of Clan MacGillivray to live at Dunmaglass was Captain John William MacGillivray. He had to sell his family's land and passed away in 1914 without any children to inherit his title.

The leadership then went to his cousin, John Farquhar MacGillivray, who lived in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. He was chief for 32 years. When he died in 1942, he also had no children, and he was the last official chief of Clan MacGillivray.

For many years, the clan did not have a chief. However, in 2016, the Clan MacGillivray International Association organized a special meeting. Members from clan societies in America, Australia, Canada, and the Netherlands nominated Iain MacGillivray to be the Clan Commander. The Lord Lyon King of Arms, who is Scotland's expert on heraldry and clans, accepted this choice. He officially appointed Iain MacGillivray to this important leadership role for Clan MacGillivray.

Clan Castles

Dunmaglass is a place about six miles east of Inverfarigaig in Inverness-shire. The MacGillivrays held this land from at least the 16th century, and possibly even earlier. Another nearby place called Dalcrombie was also owned by the clan.

Associated Names

Clan MacGillivray does not have any "septs," which are like smaller family groups. However, there are many common ways to spell the name MacGillivray and McGillivray that are connected to the clan. Remember that "Mac" and "Mc" can be used interchangeably, and the second part of the name can start with a capital letter or not.

Fun Facts

In the video game For Honor by the French company Ubisoft, there's a character inspired by Scottish culture. You can hear this character shout "Dunmaghlas!", which is the historic War cry of Clan MacGillivray! One of the writers for the game's characters and story was Ariadne MacGillivray, who is a member of the clan.

Images for kids

• 

  A drawing of a MacGillivray clansman from 1845.

• 

  Iain MacGillivray receiving his appointment as commander from the Lord Lyon, Dr Joseph Morrow QC.

See also

• Armigerous clan
• Chattan Confederation
• Scottish clan
• Lachlan McGillivray (1718-1799) - the father of Alexander McGillivray
• William McGillivray (1764-1825)