Clan Urquhart facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Clan Urquhart |
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|---|---|
| Motto | Meane weil, speak weil and doe weil. |
| War cry | Trust and go forward |
| Profile | |
| Plant badge | Cheiranthus, a wallflower |
| Chief | |
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| Kenneth Trist Urquhart | |
| 29th Clan Chief of Clan Urquhart | |
| Seat | Castle Craig |
| Historic seat | Castle Craig |
The Urquhart clan (say: UR-kert) is a famous Highland Scottish clan. A clan is like a big family group, often with a shared history and a chief. The Urquhart clan started way back in the 1200s. They are mostly connected to an area in Scotland called Cromarty.
Today, you can find two places in Scotland named Urquhart: one near Elgin and another on the Black Isle. The most famous place is probably Urquhart Castle, which sits by Glen Urquhart and on the banks of Loch Ness. This castle also gets its name from the old Urquhart area.
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Discovering Urquhart History
The Urquhart clan has a long and exciting history, full of brave people and important events in Scotland.
Early Days: Fighting for Scotland
One of the first known Urquharts was William de Urchard. He bravely defended a place called the Moote of Cromarty. This happened during the time of William Wallace, who was a Scottish hero fighting against the English Crown.
Later, starting from the time of David II of Scotland, the Urquhart chiefs had a special job. They were the "hereditary sheriffs" of Cromarty. This meant the job of sheriff, which was like a local leader or judge, was passed down through their family.
The 1500s: Big Families and Battles
In the early 1500s, a chief named Thomas Urquhart of Cromarty was known for having a very large family. It's said he had 25 sons! Sadly, seven of these sons were killed in a big battle called the Battle of Pinkie Cleugh in 1547.
Another Thomas Urquhart was born on the very day of that battle. He grew up to be an important person and was made a knight by James VI of Scotland.
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The 1600s: A Chief's Adventures and Laughter
Sir Thomas Urquhart of Cromarty, the 12th chief, was a very smart person. He went to college when he was only eleven years old! He was made a knight by Charles I of England in 1641.
During the Civil War in England, Sir Thomas was a Royalist, meaning he supported the King. He fought in the Battle of Worcester in 1651. He was captured and put in the Tower of London. While he was in prison, he wrote a very long family tree, tracing his family all the way back to Adam and Eve!
After he was released, he traveled in Europe. He was famous for translating the works of a French writer named François Rabelais. His translation is still considered a masterpiece today. It's said that Sir Thomas died in 1660 from laughing too much while celebrating the return of the King to power!
The 1700s: Pirates and Jacobite Risings
Captain John Urquhart of Craigston, born in 1696, was a very rich man. People called him "the pirate" because no one was quite sure how he got his money. He probably earned his fortune by working for the Spanish Navy. He would get "prize money" for capturing enemy ships.
Captain John almost died fighting for the Jacobites in the Jacobite rising of 1715 at the Battle of Sheriffmuir. The Jacobites were people who wanted the old royal family, the Stuarts, back on the throne.
The Urquharts of Craigston became so important that a famous artist, Henry Raeburn, painted their family portraits. Craigston Castle is still owned by the family today.
Another Urquhart, Colonel James Urquhart, also supported the Jacobites and was badly hurt at the Battle of Sheriffmuir. He was a main Jacobite agent in Scotland until he died in 1741. After him, the chiefship went to his cousin, William Urquhart of Meldrum. William was careful and avoided the terrible Battle of Culloden, where the Jacobites lost. His cousin, Adam Urquhart, even lived in the Jacobite court in Rome.
Modern Times: Chiefs from Afar
The last chief in the direct line was Major Beauchamp Urquhart. He was killed in 1898 in a battle in Sudan.
Later, in 1959, Wilkins Fisk Urquhart of that Ilk became the chief. His family had moved to the United States in the 1700s. In 1974, his son, Kenneth Trist Urquhart, became the 27th chief. When Kenneth passed away in 2012, his oldest son, Colonel Wilkins Fisk Urquhart, became the 28th chief of the clan. The chief's special title is "Urquhart of Urquhart."
Clan Urquhart: What Makes Them Special?
Every Scottish clan has unique symbols and traditions.
What Does "Urquhart" Mean?
The name Urquhart comes from an old place name, Airchart. This name was first written down in the early life story of Saint Columba, a very important Celtic saint. The word Urquhart can mean different things in Scottish Gaelic, like "woodside," "by a rowan wood," or "fort on a knoll."
The Clan Chief
The current leader of Clan Urquhart is Colonel Wilkins Urquhart of Urquhart. He is the 28th Chief of Clan Urquhart.
The Coat of Arms
The Urquhart chief's coat of arms is like a special family symbol. It shows three red boar heads on a yellow shield. Two greyhounds stand on their hind legs, holding up the shield. Above the shield is a knight's helmet, surrounded by red and yellow wallflower blossoms and topped with a crown. The clan motto, "Meane weil, speak weil, and doe weil," is written on a scroll around it.
There's a legend about Urquhart Castle that tries to explain the boar's head and hounds. It says a prince named Conachar came to Scotland and was almost attacked by a wild boar. His dog saved him but died. This story is just a legend, as the castle wasn't even built yet!
The Crest Badge
Clan members wear a special crest badge to show they belong to the clan and are loyal to their chief. The badge shows a woman, sometimes called a mermaid, holding a blue sword and a palm branch. This is surrounded by a strap and buckle with the clan's motto: "Meane Weil, Speak Weil and Doe Weil." This crest comes from the chief's coat of arms.
The Plant Badge
The clan's special plant is the cheiranthus, also known as the wallflower. It's a beautiful wildflower that grows naturally in Scotland.
The Clan Tartan
The Urquhart clan has its own unique tartan pattern. The oldest known Urquhart tartan is from around 1815. This original fabric is kept in a library in Glasgow, Scotland. This "Official Urquhart Red Line Tartan" is still the official tartan of the clan today.
There are also two other recognized versions: the Urquhart Broad Red Tartan and the Urquhart Ancient (White Line) Tartan. The "Ancient" one is based on an old design from 1842.
Urquhart Castles: Homes and Fortresses
The Urquhart clan has been connected to several important castles throughout history.
- Castlecraig: Even though it's now in ruins, Castle Craig is still the official home of the Clan Urquhart chief. It was a strong fortress in the 1400s for the Urquharts of Cromarty.
- Craigston Castle: Located in Aberdeenshire, this castle has been an Urquhart family home since it was built in 1604.
- Cromarty Castle: This 15th-century tower house used to stand on a hill above the town of Cromarty. It's no longer there, but the present-day Cromarty House was built using stones and wood from the old Urquhart stronghold.
- Urquhart Castle: This is one of the most famous castles in the Scottish Highlands, right by Loch Ness. The clan and the castle are named after the area, which is said to be the ancient home of the Urquharts. However, there's no proof that Clan Urquhart ever owned or lived in Urquhart Castle itself. This castle has been connected to many other families and groups over the centuries. It was eventually destroyed by the government in 1690 so it couldn't be used by enemies.
See also
