Lachlan Mor Maclean facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sir Lachlan Mor Maclean, 14th Chief
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| 14th Clan Chief 10th Laird of Duart |
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| In office 1573-1598 |
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| Preceded by | Hector Og Maclean, 13th Chief, father |
| Succeeded by | Hector Og Maclean, 15th Chief, son |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1558 |
| Died | 1598 (age 40) Battle of Traigh Ghruinneart |
| Cause of death | Killed in action |
| Spouses | Margaret, daughter of William Cunningham, 6th Earl of Glencairn |
| Children | Hector Og Maclean, 15th Chief Lachlan Og MacLean, 1st Laird of Torloisk |
| Parent | Hector Og Maclean, 13th Chief |
Sir Lachlan Mór Maclean (born 1558 – died 5 August 1598), also known as Big Lachlan Maclean, was an important leader of the Clan MacLean. He was the 14th Chief of his clan from late 1573 or early 1574 until his death in 1598. The name "Mór" means "big" or "great" in Scottish Gaelic. It was added to his name because of his tall height and his strong leadership.
Contents
Life of Sir Lachlan Mór Maclean
Lachlan Mór was born in 1558. His father was Eachuinn Og Maclean. Lachlan became the 14th Chief of Clan Maclean when his father died in 1573 or 1574.
People called him "Big Lachlan" because he was tall and had a great mind. He was known as a very skilled and brave chief of Duart. He was excellent at military strategies. His honorable character earned the respect of his enemies. He was also kind to his followers, which made his clansmen love him. Many historians have praised his memory because of his great qualities.
Events in 1588
In September 1588, a ship from the Spanish Armada was damaged. It was called the "San Juan de Sicilia." This ship was carrying 300 soldiers and valuable silver items. It either sank or ran aground near the coast of Islay or Mull.
Lachlan Mór sent news about the ship to King James VI at Stirling Castle. Lachlan Mór became friends with the ship's crew. He borrowed two cannons and 100 soldiers from them. He used these to attack the home of Angus MacAulay. He left one of his men as a promise to return the soldiers and cannons. Later, a man named John Smallet caused the ship to explode.
In October 1588, Lachlan Mór gathered a fighting force. This group included 100 Spanish soldiers. They went against Clan MacDonald of Clanranald. They also took cattle from the islands of Canna, Rùm, and Eigg. They also attacked Mingary Castle. This castle was the main stronghold of Clan MacDonald of Ardnamurchan.
Later Years and Royal Favor
Maclean fought for King James VI in October 1594. This was at the Battle of Glenlivet. This battle happened during a rebellion by some Catholic earls. These earls were Huntly and Erroll.
In August 1595, he wrote to the English ambassador in Edinburgh. His name was Robert Bowes. Lachlan Mór thanked him for 1,000 French crowns. Queen Elizabeth was sending him this money. They also talked about hiring Galloglass warriors from Clan MacLean. These warriors would fight in the Nine Years' War in Ireland. They would fight against the armies of Aodh Mór Ó Néill. He was the Chief of Clan O'Neill.
The Earl of Argyll brought Lachlan Mór to the king. This meeting happened at Inchmurrin on Loch Lomond in August 1596. The king welcomed him warmly. Lachlan Mór even went hawking, a type of hunting, with the king. King James VI officially forgave him for any past wrongdoings. This happened in person at Holyrood Palace on 15 June 1596.
Family Life
Sir Lachlan Mór Maclean married Lady Margaret Cunningham of Glencairn. She was the daughter of William Cunningham, 6th Earl of Glencairn.
They had several children:
- Hector Og Maclean, 15th Clan Chief
- Lachlan Og Maclean, 1st Laird of Torloisk
- Gillean Maclean, who married Mary the elder. She was the daughter of John Dubh Maclean of Morvern.
- Allan Maclean, who married Mary the younger. She was also a daughter of John Dubh Maclean of Morvern.
- Charles Maclean
- Bethag Maclean, who married Hector MacLean of Lochbuie, 9th Chief.
Death
Sir Lachlan Mór Maclean died on 5 August 1598. He was killed in the Battle of Traigh Ghruinneart. This battle took place on the Island of Islay. He was killed by the forces led by Sir James MacDonald, 9th of Dunnyveg.
His body was left on the battlefield. A day or two later, two women went to find his body. They were sad that such an important chief was unburied. They hired a vehicle, which was the only one available nearby. They found his body and started to take it to the nearest burial ground. This place was about six miles away.
Sir Lachlan Mor MacLean was buried in the churchyard of Kilchoman on Islay. His grave is near the south wall of the church. A large stone lies over his grave. There is another churchyard, Kilnave, closer to the battle-field. However, his body was taken to Kilchoman to be more honored. He was first buried inside the church. When a new church was built there around 1829, the wall was built so that his grave ended up outside the church.
Legacy
A special stone marker shows where Sir Lachlan Mór died. The plaque on it says: "This cairn indicates the spot where, on the 5th August, 1598, Sir Lachlan Mor Maclean of Duart fell in a desperate encounter with his nephew Sir James Macdonald of Knockrinsay. The battle of Traigh Ghruinneart is the best known incident in the feud between the Macleans and the Macdonalds for the Rinns."
