Clan MacLaren facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Clan MacLaren |
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| Clann Labhruinn or Clan Labhran | |||
Crest: A lion's head erased Sable crowned with an ancient crown of six (four visible) points Or, between two branches of laurel issuing from the Wreath at either side of the head both Proper.
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| Motto | Ab Origine Fidus ('Faithful from the Beginning') | ||
| Slogan | Creag an Tuirc ('The Boar's Rock') | ||
| Profile | |||
| Region | Highlands | ||
| District | Perthshire | ||
| Plant badge | Laurel | ||
| Animal | Lion | ||
| Chief | |||
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| Florian MacLaren of MacLaren & Achleskine | |||
| The 26th Chief of the Name and Arms of MacLaren | |||
| Seat | Kirkton Farm, Balquhidder | ||
| Historic seat | Balquhidder, Strathearn | ||
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The Clan MacLaren (called Cinneadh MacLabhrainn in Scottish Gaelic) is a famous Highland Scottish clan. Their traditional lands are in the old area of Balquhidder. This area includes the villages of Lochearnhead and Strathyre. It's about 18 miles (29 km) long and 7 miles (11 km) wide, covering over 54,675 acres (22,126 ha). This land has been known for a long time as "MacLaren Country".
Contents
History of Clan MacLaren
Early Beginnings
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The MacLaren chiefs are believed to be related to Loarn mac Eirc. He was a ruler of the ancient kingdom of Dál Riata. In Scottish Gaelic, the clan's name is Clann Labhruinn.
The clan's founder is usually said to be Laurence, who was an Abbot (a leader of a monastery) in Achtow, Balquhidder. He lived in the 1200s. Balquhidder was part of the old area of Strathearn. The symbols used by the MacLarens suggest they came from a smaller branch of the family of the Earl of Strathearn.
There's also a story that the MacLarens fought in the Battle of the Standard in 1138. They fought under Malise I, Earl of Strathearn, for David I of Scotland.
Fighting for Scottish Independence
Three MacLaren names are found in the Ragman Rolls of 1296. These lists show Scottish nobles who promised loyalty to Edward I of England. The names were Maurice of Tiree, Conan of Balquhidder, and Leurin of Ardveche.
During the Wars of Scottish Independence, the Clan MacLaren likely fought for Robert the Bruce. They probably joined him at the famous Battle of Bannockburn in 1314. In this battle, the Scottish forces defeated the English army.
The last Gaelic Earl of Strathearn lost his title in 1344. After this, the MacLarens faced pressure from stronger neighboring clans.
Challenges in the 1400s and 1500s
In 1468, the Clan MacLaren supported the Clan Stewart of Appin at the Battle of Stalc. The MacLarens also fought with the Stewarts of Appin at the Battle of Black Mount around 1497 or 1498.
Balquhidder later became Crown land. In 1490, a Stewart was put in charge as the royal official. Then, in 1500, James IV of Scotland gave the land to his mistress, Janet Kennedy. This meant the MacLaren chief found his lands were now part of someone else's territory. Balquhidder eventually went to the Clan Murray of Atholl.
The Clan Campbell caused problems for the Clan Gregor. This forced the MacGregors from their own lands into Balquhidder. The Clan MacLaren wasn't strong enough to stop them. The MacGregors took over MacLaren lands. They took over homes and caused harm to many MacLaren families.
The MacLarens asked the Campbells for help. But the Campbells wanted the MacLarens to accept them as their feudal lords in return for protection. However, the Scottish Crown still saw the MacLarens as an independent clan. They were listed in Acts of Parliament in 1587 and 1594 for controlling unruly clans.
Civil War and Jacobite Risings
During the Scottish Civil War, the Clan MacLaren supported Charles I of England. They fought for James Graham, 1st Marquis of Montrose. They were part of battles like Battle of Inveraray, Battle of Inverlochy (1645), Battle of Auldearn, Battle of Alford, and Battle of Kilsyth.
In 1689, the Clan MacLaren again fought for the Stuart kings. This time, they were under John Graham, 1st Viscount Dundee, at the Battle of Killiecrankie.
Jacobite Rising of 1715
During the Jacobite rising of 1715, the Clan MacLaren fought at the Battle of Sheriffmuir. They supported the Jacobite cause, which aimed to bring the Stuart family back to the throne.
Jacobite Rising of 1745
During the Jacobite rising of 1745, the Clan MacLaren again supported the Jacobite cause. They fought and won at the Battle of Prestonpans and the Battle of Falkirk Muir.
The Clan was also at the Battle of Culloden in 1746. This was where the Jacobite army was defeated. MacLarens served in both the Appin and Atholl Regiments. Many MacLarens fought bravely, and some were injured or lost their lives.
One of the officers injured was Donald MacLaren. He was a Captain in the Appin Regiment. Donald was hurt at Culloden but was carried away from the battlefield. He and other men made it back to Balquhidder. Later, he was injured again in a fight with the Perthshire Militia.
Donald was taken prisoner and sent to Stirling Castle. He was treated for his wounds. Later, he was to be moved to Carlisle for a trial for treason. During this journey, MacLaren escaped. He threw himself off a cliff called the Devil's Beef Tub near Moffet. The mist helped hide him from the King's soldiers. His escape was successful. He stayed in hiding in Balquhidder until he was given a pardon in 1757.
Other MacLarens from Balquhidder also fought in the Atholl regiments during the 1745 Jacobite rising.
Clan Symbols
Crest Badge
The crest badge is a symbol clan members can wear. It includes the clan's heraldic crest and slogan. The crest shows a lion's head that is black, with an old gold crown. It has two laurel branches on either side.
The slogan on the crest badge is CREAG AN TUIRC. This means "The Boar's Rock" in Scottish Gaelic.
Clan Badge
The clan badge is a laurel branch. This plant is a special symbol for the clan.
Tartan
The MacLaren tartan has colors of dark green, navy blue, yellow, red, and black.
The MacLaren tartan was chosen by the Scouting movement in 1921. This was to honor William de Bois Maclaren. He donated Gilwell Park to the Scouting Association. Because of this, the MacLaren tartan is now worn by Scouts all over the world.
Chiefs of Clan MacLaren
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The MacLaren chiefs have a long history. Their family line goes back many centuries. For a long time, the clan did not have a recognized chief or their own land.
In 1957, Donald MacLaren of MacLaren and Achleskine officially registered his family's coat of arms. He also bought land in Balquhidder. This land included Creag an Tuirc, also known as "The Boar's Rock." This rock was the traditional meeting place for the clan. With this, the clan was no longer "chiefless and landless."
When Donald passed away, his son, also named Donald, became the chief in 1966. After Donald's death in 2023, his son Florian became the current Clan MacLaren chief.
See also
- MacLaren (surname)
- McLaren (surname)
- Maclaurin
