Clan Malcolm facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Clan MacCallum/Malcolm |
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| Mac Mhaol Chaluim | |||
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Crest: A tower argent with blue window and port
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| Motto | In ardua tendit (He aims at difficult things) | ||
| Profile | |||
| Region | Highlands and Lowlands | ||
| District | Dumbartonshire, Stirlingshire, Argyllshire | ||
| Plant badge | Mountain ash | ||
| Chief | |||
| Robin Neill Lochnell Malcolm, 19th Laird of Poltalloch | |||
| Chief of Clan Malcolm | |||
| Seat | Duntrune Castle | ||
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The Clan Malcolm, also known as the Clan MacCallum, is a famous Scottish clan from the Scottish Highlands. A Scottish clan is like a large family group, often sharing a common ancestor and a specific area of land. The Clan MacCallum might have been a separate clan at first. But in the 1700s, the chief of Clan MacCallum took on the name Malcolm. This happened after he inherited the Malcolm family's lands. Because of this, the two clans became united under the same chief.
Contents
History of the Clan
Where Did the Clan Name Come From?
The name MacCallum comes from Mac Ghille Chaluim. This means "son of the disciple of Columba." Columba was a very important early Christian saint in Scotland. The MacCallums settled in an area called Lorne around the late 1200s.
The word Maol in Scottish Gaelic means "shaven head." This was a common look for monks. So, Maol Chaluim can be understood as "monk" or "follower of Columba."
Some historians, like Ian Grimble, believe that MacCallum and Malcolm are not just different ways to say the same name. They think that "Colm" was a common name across many Celtic areas. The name Malcolm appeared as a family name as early as the 1300s. This was in places like Dumbartonshire and Stirlingshire. Malcolm was also the name of four Scottish kings.
Clan Life in the 15th, 16th, and 17th Centuries
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In 1414, a man named Ronald MacCaullum of Corbarron was given an important job. He became the constable (like a castle manager) of Craignish Castle.
In 1562, Donald McGillespie Vich O'Challum received official ownership of lands. These lands were called Poltalloch in the area of Kilmartin, Argyll. He got them from Duncan Campbell of Duntrune.
The Reverend Archibald MacCallum was a notable figure. He helped translate parts of the Bible into Gaelic. In 1642, he became the fourth Laird (landowner) of Poltalloch. His cousin had held the title before him.
Archibald's son was Zachary MacCallum. Zachary studied at the University of St Andrews. He was also known as a skilled swordsman. Zachary supported the Marquess of Argyll. In 1647, he was killed by forces led by Sir Alexander MacDonald. Zachary fought bravely, killing seven enemies before he was attacked from behind.
During the reign of King Charles I, John Malcolm of Balbedie was an important official in Fife. He had four sons who became well-known. Sir John Malcolm was made a Baronet of Nova Scotia. Alexander Malcolm, Lord Lochore, became a judge. James Malcolm fought in the Battle of Killiecrankie. Michael Malcolm was another son.
The 18th and 19th Centuries
In the late 1700s, the clan chief, Dugald MacCallum, changed his family name to Malcolm. This likely happened because he inherited the Malcolm family's estates in 1779.
Among the Malcolm chiefs, Admiral Sir Pulteney Malcolm was very famous. He was the Commander in Chief of Saint Helena, an island. He earned the respect of Napoleon Bonaparte himself. Sir Pulteney Malcolm also commanded a ship called HMS Royal Oak.
The Malcolm family became very wealthy during the 18th and 19th centuries. This wealth allowed them to invest in improving their lands and buildings in Britain. Neill Malcolm, the 12th Laird, used this wealth to develop his estates in Scotland.
Neill Malcolm, the 13th of Poltalloch, was known for making big changes to his estates. These changes sometimes led to people being moved from their homes in what were called the Highland Clearances.
John Wingfield Malcolm of Poltalloch was given the title Lord Malcolm in 1896. He passed away in 1902. His brother inherited his estate and the title of 'Malcolm of Poltalloch'. This title continued with the clan chieftainship.
The Malcolm family was well-known for its military and naval successes. Many chiefs also entered politics. One example is Sir Ian Malcolm, who was a Member of Parliament until 1919. More recently, there have been other notable people with the MacCallum or Malcolm name in politics. These include Australian political journalist Mungo Wentworth MacCallum and labour organizer Stephen McCallum.
The modern West Highland White Terrier dog breed has a connection to Colonel Malcolm of Poltalloch. In the late 1800s, he was hunting with his small terrier dogs. He accidentally shot his favorite dog, mistaking it for a rabbit. After this, he decided to only breed white dogs. They were much easier to see in the undergrowth. At the same time, another family, the Campbells of Rosneath, also bred white dogs. They called them "Roseneath" terriers. Later, the "Poltalloch" and "Roseneath" terriers were combined. They became the West Highland White Terrier, a name suggested by Colonel Malcolm. This breed is still very popular today.
Clan Chief
The current Chief of Clan Malcolm is Robin Neill Lochnell Malcolm. He is the 19th Laird of Poltalloch.
Clan Tartan
A tartan is a patterned cloth that represents a Scottish clan.
- Malcolm
- Malcolm Dress Tartan
- Malcolm Modern
- MacCallum Tartan
Clan Castles
Clans often have castles that are important to their history.
- Duntrune Castle is located on the north side of Loch Crinan. This castle was built in the 1200s. It is an L-shaped tower house surrounded by a walled courtyard. The castle was updated in the 1700s and again in 1830. It was first owned by the Clan Campbell. But in 1792, it was sold to the Malcolms of Poltalloch. The Malcolm family still owns the castle today. There is a legend that a phantom piper (a ghost playing bagpipes) lives there.
- Poltalloch is two miles southwest of Kilmartin in mid Argyll. The Campbells originally held this land. But it was given to the Malcolms in 1562. The original castle was replaced by a new house built in 1830. This grand house was designed by William Burn. It showed off the great wealth of the 13th Laird of Poltalloch. However, the house is now in ruins.
- Lochore Castle is a ruined castle from the 1300s. It was a keep (a strong tower) and courtyard on an island in a loch (lake). The Wardlaws of Torrie owned it before it went to the Malcolms of Balbedie.
See also
- Scottish clan
- McCallum (surname)
