Lachlan Og Maclean facts for kids

Lachlan Óg Maclean was an important leader, known as the 8th Chief of Maclean. He was also called Lachlan the Younger to tell him apart from his father. He lived in Duart Castle and led his clan during a time of big changes in Scotland.

Life and Times

Lachlan Óg Maclean was the son of Lachlan Bronneach Maclean. He became the leader of Clan MacLean and the Lord of Duart when the Western Isles were facing political challenges. Back then, many chiefs in the west felt they were independent. They mostly followed the Lord of the Isles, who acted like a powerful ruler.

Challenges to the King

In 1448, John of Islay, Earl of Ross, who was the Lord of the Isles, became a strong opponent of the Scottish king. In 1462, he made a secret agreement with the exiled House of Douglas and representatives from England. This agreement suggested that John, along with his supporters, would try to conquer Scotland. In return, they would become loyal to the King of England.

Rebellion and Forgiveness

While these plans were still being made, the Lord of the Isles gathered a large army. They took over Inverness Castle and tried to control areas like Inverness, Nairn, Ross, and Caithness. The Scottish government eventually found out about the secret treaty in 1475. They decided to act against John, calling him a traitor.

A special order was given to Colin Campbell, 1st Earl of Argyll, to take action against him. John didn't show up to defend himself, so he was declared to have lost his lands. However, John later asked for forgiveness from the king. He was pardoned and got his lands back in 1476. Soon after, some of his lands, like the earldom of Ross, became part of the king's own property.

Clan Divisions

This change made John's son, Angus, very unhappy. Angus was known for causing trouble. The division of lands also caused a split among the clans who had supported the Lord of the Isles. The MacLeans, MacLeods, and MacNeils stayed loyal to John. But other branches of the Clan MacDonald sided with Angus, who wanted to challenge his father's decisions.

Family Life

Lachlan Óg Maclean was married to Catherine. She was the daughter of Colin Campbell, 1st Earl of Argyll. Even though his father-in-law tried to cause problems for the Lord of the Isles and even for Lachlan, Lachlan was very clever. He managed to protect his clan and lands from any harm.

Lachlan and Catherine had several children:

• Eachann Odhar Maclean: He became the next chief of the clan after his father.
• Fionnaghal Maclean: She married Celestine, who was the son of MacDonald, the Laird of Lochalsh and Lochearron. This marriage happened around 1462.
• Anne: She married William Munro, 12th Baron of Foulis.