Clan MacLaren - AbsoluteAstronomy.com

Clan MacLaren is a Highland

Scottish Highlands

The Highlands is an historic region of Scotland. The area is sometimes referred to as the "Scottish Highlands". It was culturally distinguishable from the Lowlands from the later Middle Ages into the modern period, when Lowland Scots replaced Scottish Gaelic throughout most of the Lowlands...

Scottish clan

Scottish clans , give a sense of identity and shared descent to people in Scotland and to their relations throughout the world, with a formal structure of Clan Chiefs recognised by the court of the Lord Lyon, King of Arms which acts as an authority concerning matters of heraldry and Coat of Arms...

History

Origins

The origins of the clan are uncertain, but by tradition the MacLarens are descended from Loarn mac Eirc

Loarn mac Eirc

Loarn mac Eirc was a legendary king of Dál Riata who may have lived in the 5th century.The Duan Albanach and the Senchus Fer n-Alban and other genealogies name Loarn's father as Erc son of Eochaid Muinremuir...

of Dál Riata

Dál Riata

Dál Riata was a Gaelic overkingdom on the western coast of Scotland with some territory on the northeast coast of Ireland...

, who landed in & settled Argyll

Argyll

Argyll , archaically Argyle , is a region of western Scotland corresponding with most of the part of ancient Dál Riata that was located on the island of Great Britain, and in a historical context can be used to mean the entire western coast between the Mull of Kintyre and Cape Wrath...

in 503 A.D. The clan name is supposedly derived from Lorn (variations Loarn, Laurin, Laren); these variations are all ultimately pronounced Lawrin by the Gael

Gaël

Gaël is a commune in the Ille-et-Vilaine department of Brittany in north-western France.It lies southwest of Rennes between Saint-Méen-le-Grand and Mauron...

. However there is no concrete evidence of Lorn being the progenitor of the family. A more likely origin of the clan is that they take their name from a 13th century abbot called Laurance of Achtow. This theory is also supported by the MacLaren rallying cry which in gaelic is: "Creag an Tuirc" which means "Boars Rock". The rock in question is near Achtow in Balquhidder.

In 843 A.D., Kenneth MacAlpin, chief of the posterity of the above brothers & their followers, overthrew the southern Picts

Picts

The Picts were a group of Late Iron Age and Early Mediaeval people living in what is now eastern and northern Scotland. There is an association with the distribution of brochs, place names beginning 'Pit-', for instance Pitlochry, and Pictish stones. They are recorded from before the Roman conquest...

(this is debatable, evidence points to short period of power-struggle), took possession of their territories, & transferred the seat of Government to their capital, Abernethie, in Strathearn

Strathearn

Strathearn or Strath Earn is the strath of the River Earn, in Scotland. It extends from Loch Earn in Perth and Kinross to the River Tay....

, country of Perthshire. MacAlpin was subsequently crowned King, but of what really? Tradition holds he was crowned King of all Scotland; however, his name sits in the Pictish Chronicle of kings. He is the 5th to last Pictish king listed, giving credit to the theory of fusion. MacAlpin was of Gaelic origin, meaning he had to have formed a foreign dynasty in the Pictish institution. The meeting of King Constantine and Bishop Cellach at the Hill of Belief near the (formerly Pictish) royal city of Scone in 906 cemented the rights and duties of Picts on an equal basis with those of Gaels. Hence the change in styling from King of the Picts to King of Alba. Alba is Gaelic for Scotland.

It was well-known practice for conquerors to apportion the lands they acquired among their victorious followers; and it is somewhat stronger than assumption to say, that the chief of the tribe of Laren, of Argyle, received a due share. Balquihidder and Strathearn has ever been known as "the country" of the Clan Laren

It is also believed the MacLarens were followers of the ancient Earl of Strathearn

Earl of Strathearn

The Mormaer of Strathearn or Earl of Strathearn was a provincial ruler in medieval Scotland. Of unknown origin, the mormaers are attested for the first time in a document perhaps dating to 1115. The first known mormaer, Maol Íosa I is mentioned by Ailred of Rievaulx as leading native Scots in the...

and were cadets of that ancient house when they fought at the Battle of the Standard

Battle of the Standard

The Battle of the Standard, sometimes called the Battle of Northallerton, in which English forces repelled a Scottish army, took place on 22 August 1138 on Cowton Moor near Northallerton in Yorkshire. The Scottish forces were led by King David I of Scotland...

under King David I of Scotland

David I of Scotland

David I or Dabíd mac Maíl Choluim was a 12th-century ruler who was Prince of the Cumbrians and later King of the Scots...

in 1138.

Wars of Scottish Independence

During the Wars of Scottish Independence

Wars of Scottish Independence

The Wars of Scottish Independence were a series of military campaigns fought between the independent Kingdom of Scotland and the Kingdom of England in the late 13th and early 14th centuries....

the Clan MacLaren fought for King Robert the Bruce

Robert I of Scotland

Robert I , popularly known as Robert the Bruce , was King of Scots from March 25, 1306, until his death in 1329.His paternal ancestors were of Scoto-Norman heritage , and...

at the Battle of Bannockburn

Battle of Bannockburn

The Battle of Bannockburn was a significant Scottish victory in the Wars of Scottish Independence...

in 1314.

15th century and clan conflicts

The MacLarens were a warlike clan and had many feuds with their neighbouring clans. However they forged a powerful alliance with the House of Stuart

House of Stuart

The House of Stuart is a European royal house. Founded by Robert II of Scotland, the Stewarts first became monarchs of the Kingdom of Scotland during the late 14th century, and subsequently held the position of the Kings of Great Britain and Ireland...

or Clan Stuart when a daughter of the MacLaren family married a Stuart Lord of Lorn in the 15th century. The first son of this union was called Dougall and went on to become the progenitor of the famous Clan Stuart of Appin.

In 1463 Sir John Stewart was murdered outside the church, just as he was about to marry his MacLaren wife. He was murderd by Alan MacCoul, an ally of the Clan MacDougall

Clan MacDougall

Clan MacDougall is a Highland Scottish clan consisting of the descendants of Dubgall mac Somairle, son of Somerled, who ruled Lorne and the Isle of Mull in Argyll in the 13th century...

. However his murder was avenged in 1468 when the Clan Stuart

House of Stuart

and Clan MacLaren together defeated the Clan MacDougall

Clan MacDougall

Clan MacDougall is a Highland Scottish clan consisting of the descendants of Dubgall mac Somairle, son of Somerled, who ruled Lorne and the Isle of Mull in Argyll in the 13th century...

at the Battle of Stalc which took place opposite Castle Stalker

Castle Stalker

Castle Stalker is a four-storey tower house or keep picturesquely set on a tidal islet on Loch Laich, an inlet off Loch Linnhe. It is located about north east of Port Appin, Argyll, Scotland, and is visible from the A828 road around mid-way between Oban and Glen Coe. The islet is accessible from...

.

In 1469 The Clan MacLaren assisted Dugel Stewart of Appin, son of John Stewart when he attempted by force to obtain possession of his father's lands. 130 MacLarens were killed when the battle took place at the foot of the mountain called Bendoran.

In 1488 the Clan MacLaren fought at the Battle of Sauchieburn

Battle of Sauchieburn

The Battle of Sauchieburn was fought on June 11, 1488, at the side of Sauchie Burn, a stream about two miles south of Stirling, Scotland. The battle was fought between as many as 30,000 troops of King James III of Scotland and some 18,000 troops raised by a group of dissident Scottish nobles...

in support of King James III of Scotland

James III of Scotland

James III was King of Scots from 1460 to 1488. James was an unpopular and ineffective monarch owing to an unwillingness to administer justice fairly, a policy of pursuing alliance with the Kingdom of England, and a disastrous relationship with nearly all his extended family.His reputation as the...

.

In 1497 some of the Clan MacLaren stole cattle from the Braes of Lochaber

Lochaber

District of Lochaber 1975 to 1996Highland council area shown as one of the council areas of ScotlandLochaber is one of the 16 ward management areas of the Highland Council of Scotland and one of eight former local government districts of the two-tier Highland region...

from the Clan MacDonald of Keppoch

Clan MacDonald of Keppoch

Clan MacDonald of Keppoch, also known as Clan Ranald of Lochaber, is a Scottish clan and a branch of Clan Donald.-History:The MacDonalds of Keppoch are descended from Alistair Carrach Macdonald who was a younger son of Good John of Islay, Lord of the Isles, 6th chief of Clan Donald and his second...

. The MacDonalds followed them and overtook them at a place called Glenurchy where a battle took place. The MacDonalds won and recovered their cattle. The MacLarens then looked for assistance from Dugel Stuart of Appin. Another battle then took place where the MacLarens were now joined by the Stuarts against the MacDonalds. During the battle Dugel, the chief of Clan Stuart and the chief of Clan MacDonald of Keppoch were both killed.

On the day of a fair where the Clan MacLaren were busy buying, selling and enjoying themselves word came that the Clan Buchanan

Clan Buchanan

Clan Buchanan is an Armigerous Scottish clan whose origins are said to lie in the 1225 grant of lands on the eastern shore of Loch Lomond to clergyman Sir Absalon of Buchanan by the Earl of Lennox.-Origins:...

were marching up towards them through Strathyre. There was no time to lose and the Clan MacLaren rushed to arms. The MacLarens had not all come in by the time the Buchanans arrived, however they were not daunted and attacked the Buchanans. At first the Buchanans were faring better and drove the MacLarens back. The Chief of MacLarens saw one of his sons cut down and being suddenly seized with battle madness turned and shouted the MacLaren battle cry "Creag An Tuirc" and whirling his Claymore

Claymore

The term claymore refers to the Scottish variant of the late medieval longsword, two-handed swords with a cross hilt, of which the guards were in use during the 15th and 16th centuries.-Terminology:...

rushed furiously at the enemy. His clansmen followed him and the Buchanans were cut down like corn. Only two escaped by swimming the River Balvaig

River Balvaig

The River Balvaig is a short river approximately long draining from the head of Loch Voil near Balquhidder and then southwards through the village of Strathyre before flowing into the northern end of Loch Lubnaig....

but even they were followed. One was cut down at Gartnafuaran and the second was cut down at a place since known by the circumstance as Sron Laine.

By the end of the 15th century many MacLarens had emigrated to serve in the military of France

France

The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...

and Italy

Italy

Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...

and by the time of the 16th century they were described as a broken clan.

16th century and Anglo-Scottish Wars

During the Anglo-Scottish Wars

Anglo-Scottish Wars

The Anglo-Scottish Wars were a series of wars fought between England and Scotland during the sixteenth century.After the Wars of Scottish Independence, England and Scotland had fought several times during the fourteenth, fifteenth and sixteenth centuries. In most cases, one country had attempted to...

the Clan MacLaren fought for King James IV of Scotland

James IV of Scotland

James IV was King of Scots from 11 June 1488 to his death. He is generally regarded as the most successful of the Stewart monarchs of Scotland, but his reign ended with the disastrous defeat at the Battle of Flodden Field, where he became the last monarch from not only Scotland, but also from all...

at the Battle of Flodden Field

Battle of Flodden Field

The Battle of Flodden or Flodden Field or occasionally Battle of Branxton was fought in the county of Northumberland in northern England on 9 September 1513, between an invading Scots army under King James IV and an English army commanded by the Earl of Surrey...

in 1513 against the English. The Clan MacLaren also fought for Mary, Queen of Scots at the Battle of Pinkie Cleugh

Battle of Pinkie Cleugh

The Battle of Pinkie Cleugh, on the banks of the River Esk near Musselburgh, Scotland on 10 September 1547, was part of the War of the Rough Wooing. It was the last pitched battle between Scottish and English armies, and is seen as the first modern battle in the British Isles...

in 1547.

In 1558 a deadly feud took place between the Clan MacLaren and the Clan MacGregor

Clan MacGregor

Clan Gregor, Clan McGregor, Clan MacGregor or Clan M'Gregor is a Highland Scottish clan. It is the most senior clan of Siol Alpin, translated as referring to King Kenneth I, descending from the ancient Kings of the Picts and Dál Riata...

when the MacGregors slaughtered no less than 18 MacLaren men along with their entire families, and took possession of their farms. This incident was not investigated until 1604 when the MacGregors were on trial for slaughtering many men of the Clan Colquhoun

Clan Colquhoun

Clan Colquhoun is a Highland Scottish clan.The clan motto shown above in the crest best translates to "if I can."-Origins of the clan:In the 13th century Maol Domhnaich, Earl of Lennox granted the lands of Colquhoun, located in Dunbartonshire, to Humphry de Kilpatrick...

. However the MacGregors were cleared of doing anything against the Clan MacLaren.

17th century and Thirty Years' War

In the 17th century although the Clan MacLaren had reduced in numbers a branch of the clan distinguished itself in Sweden

Sweden

Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....

by the time of the Thirty Years' War

Thirty Years' War

The Thirty Years' War was fought primarily in what is now Germany, and at various points involved most countries in Europe. It was one of the most destructive conflicts in European history....

. The modern writer Carl G. Laurin is one of many who carry the name in Scandinavia

Scandinavia

Scandinavia is a cultural, historical and ethno-linguistic region in northern Europe that includes the three kingdoms of Denmark, Norway and Sweden, characterized by their common ethno-cultural heritage and language. Modern Norway and Sweden proper are situated on the Scandinavian Peninsula,...

18th century and Jacobite uprisings

In the 18th century the Clan MacLaren supported the Jacobite House of Stuart

House of Stuart

and fought at the Battle of Sherrifmuir in 1715. The clan also fought in the 1745 to 1746 Jacobite Uprisings at the Battle of Prestonpans

Battle of Prestonpans

The Battle of Prestonpans was the first significant conflict in the Jacobite Rising of 1745. The battle took place at 4 am on 21 September 1745. The Jacobite army loyal to James Francis Edward Stuart and led by his son Charles Edward Stuart defeated the government army loyal to the Hanoverian...

and the Battle of Falkirk (1746)

Battle of Falkirk (1746)

During the Second Jacobite Rising, the Battle of Falkirk Muir was the last noteworthy Jacobite success.-Background:...

. They also fought at the Battle of Culloden

Battle of Culloden

The Battle of Culloden was the final confrontation of the 1745 Jacobite Rising. Taking place on 16 April 1746, the battle pitted the Jacobite forces of Charles Edward Stuart against an army commanded by William Augustus, Duke of Cumberland, loyal to the British government...

in the Appin regiment under Lord George Murray. After the battle clan chief Donald MacLaren remained a fugitive

Fugitive

A fugitive is a person who is fleeing from custody, whether it be from private slavery, a government arrest, government or non-government questioning, vigilante violence, or outraged private individuals...

until the amnesty of 1757.

Chief

The current clan chief is Donald MacLaren of MacLaren and Achleskine.

He was an independent parliamentary candidate against then-Prime Minister of United Kingdom Gordon Brown in the constituency of Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath

Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath (UK Parliament constituency)

Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath is a county constituency representing the areas around the towns of Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath, in Fife, Scotland, in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom...

at the 2010 general election, eventually finishing 7th out of the 8 candidates with a total of 165 votes.

Seat

The Clan seat is at Balquhidder

Balquhidder

Balquhidder is a small village in the Stirling council area of Scotland. It is overlooked by the dramatic mountain terrain of the Braes of Balquhidder, at the head of Loch Voil. Balquhidder Glen is also popular for fishing, nature watching and walking...

in the Trossachs

Trossachs

The Trossachs itself is a small woodland glen in the Stirling council area of Scotland. It lies between Ben A'an to the north and Ben Venue to the south, with Loch Katrine to the west and Loch Achray to the east. However, the name is used generally to refer to the wider area of wooded glens and...

. The local hill of Creag an Tuirc (Boar's Rock) is the Clan's rallying point and its name is used as their war cry. Annual meetings of the clan are held at the Lochearnhead

Lochearnhead

Lochearnhead is a village on the A84 Stirling to Crianlarich road at the foot of Glen Ogle, north of the Highland Boundary Fault...

Highland Games at the end of July.

Septs

McLaren, MacLaurin, MacLaurin, MacLauren, McLauren, McLarin, McClarin, MacLaran, McLaran, McLeran, MacLaruan, MacLeran, MacLaurie, McLaurie, Laurence, Lawrence, Law, Laws, Lawson, Low, Lowe, Lawrie, Laurie, Lowery, Lowry, Faed, Patterson, Paterson, Peterson, McPater, Patrick, MacPatrick, MacRory, McCrory, McGory, MacRuari, Wright, MacGrory, Peterkin and Borison.

More can be found at the Clan MacLaren Society of North America website.

External links

www.clanmaclarenna.org - Clan MacLaren society of North America
www.clanmaclaren.de - Clan Members from Germany
Clan MacLaren at ElectricScotland.com
MacLaren Clan at scotClans

History

Origins

Wars of Scottish Independence

15th century and clan conflicts

16th century and Anglo-Scottish Wars

17th century and Thirty Years' War

18th century and Jacobite uprisings

Chief

Seat

Septs

See also

External links

Further reading