Sir Rory Mor's Horn facts for kids
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Sir Rory Mor's Horn is a special drinking horn that belongs to the MacLeods of Dunvegan. These MacLeods are the leaders, or "chiefs," of Clan MacLeod, a famous Scottish family. The horn is one of several important family treasures, called heirlooms, that have been passed down for many generations. A long-standing family custom says that each new chief must drink the horn full of wine in one go to show they are ready to lead.
The beautiful designs on the horn are very old. Some experts think they were made in the 16th century, while others believe they could be as old as the 10th century. The MacLeod chiefs keep other famous heirlooms at their home, Dunvegan Castle, such as the mysterious Fairy Flag and the Dunvegan Cup.
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Sir Rory Mor's Horn: A Clan Tradition
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Sir Rory Mor's Horn is a large drinking horn made from an ox's horn. It has a silver tip and a thick rim around its opening. This rim has seven special medallions, which are like small, round decorations. Three of these medallions show pictures of animals, three others have interesting patterns, and the last one combines both a pattern and an animal.
Some historians, like R. C. MacLeod, believed the designs were from the Norse people and thought the horn was made around the 10th century. The horn can hold about 2 liters (about 8 cups) of liquid.
The Challenge of the Horn
A very old custom of Clan MacLeod is that every new chief, when they become an adult, must drink the horn completely full in one single gulp. This tradition is a way to prove their strength and readiness to lead the clan. The horn is named after Sir Ruairidh Mòr MacLeòid (who lived from about 1562 to 1626). He was the 15th chief of Clan MacLeod.
Over the years, the amount of liquid the horn holds has changed. In 1906, R. C. MacLeod noticed that part of the horn had been filled in. This meant that chiefs in his time had to drink less than their ancestors. He joked that the old warriors would have looked down on the "puny performances" of later chiefs.
In 1956, Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip visited Dunvegan Castle. During their visit, John, a grandson of the clan chief Dame Flora MacLeod, was challenged to drink the horn. It was filled with claret (a type of red wine), and he managed to drink it all in just one minute and 57 seconds!
How Old is the Horn?
People have had different ideas about how old Sir Rory Mor's Horn really is. In 1927, R. C. MacLeod thought it was from the 10th century. Professor Brögger from Oslo, Norway, also believed it was Norse and from the 10th century. However, Professor Callander from Edinburgh, Scotland, felt it looked similar to other Scottish items and thought it was made in the 16th century.
The Story Behind the Horn
The Bannatyne manuscript, written around 1830, tells a story about how the horn came to be. This old tale says that one night, Malcolm (who lived from 1296 to 1370), the 3rd chief of Clan MacLeod, was returning home. He met a fierce bull that had been scaring people in the woods of Glenelg. Malcolm, armed only with a small knife called a dirk, bravely fought and killed the bull. He then broke off one of its horns and took it back to Dunvegan as a prize to show his courage.
The story says that because of this brave act, the horn has stayed at Dunvegan ever since. It was turned into the drinking horn we know today, which every chief must drink from. The manuscript also adds that since Malcolm defeated the bull, the MacLeod family has used a bull's head as their special family symbol, called a heraldic crest. Their family saying, or motto, is "hold fast."
The Bull and the Motto
There's another story about a bull and the clan's motto, though it's not about the drinking horn itself. This tale says that one day, Tormod (who lived from about 1509 to 1584), the 12th chief of Clan MacLeod, was visiting the Earl of Argyll, the chief of Clan Campbell, at Inveraray Castle. While there, Tormod learned that one of his own clansmen was in trouble and was going to be harmed by a bull.
Tormod asked Argyll to help, but the Campbell chief said it was too late. So, the MacLeod chief bravely jumped into the ring with the bull, armed only with his dirk. He grabbed the bull's horns and shouted "hold fast!" He managed to save his clansman, showing great courage and strength.
The Skeabost Horn
The Skeabost Horn is a trophy that was once given to the winners of the Southern League in the sport of shinty, which is similar to field hockey. This trophy was designed to look like Sir Rory Mor's Horn. While it's no longer used as a competition prize, it is now owned by Jack Asher.
