Biography

Lachlan, seventh chief of MacLean, received the sobriquet of "Bronnach", or swag-bellied, on account of his corpulence. He was with his father on the fatal field of Harlaw

Harlaw

Harlaw might refer to various things in Scotland:* The Battle of Harlaw, 24 July 1411, fought near Inverurie* Harlaw Academy, formerly Aberdeen High School for Girls, Aberdeen* Harlaw Park, Inverurie, home ground of Inverurie Loco Works F.C....

, where he was made prisoner by Alexander Stewart, Earl of Mar

Alexander Stewart, Earl of Mar

-Biography:He was an illegitimate son of Alexander Stewart, Earl of Buchan and probably Mairead inghean Eachann.Alexander held the Earldom of Mar and the Lordship of the Garioch in right of his first wife Isabel Douglas, Countess of Mar . Alexander's marriage to Isabella followed his capture of...

. During his captivity, he became acquainted with the earl's daughter, the Lady Margaret, whom he afterward married. According to some accounts his estates were managed by his uncle John Maclean during his captivity, while others state it was his brother, John Dubh Maclean. This confusion results from the names of the two being the same. It is not probable that he remained in confinement for any considerable length of time. He did not possess the same war-like character that distinguished his father. He appears neither to have sought, nor avoided war, but was ready for action when the time arrived. His name, however, does not come prominently forward until the year 1427, when a useless war was brought on through the treachery of King James I

James I of Scotland

James I, King of Scots , was the son of Robert III and Annabella Drummond. He was probably born in late July 1394 in Dunfermline as youngest of three sons...

. This monarch summoned a parliament to meet him at Inverness

Inverness

Inverness is a city in the Scottish Highlands. It is the administrative centre for the Highland council area, and is regarded as the capital of the Highlands of Scotland...

, in 1427, at which the Highland chiefs were invited to attend. As the chiefs entered the hall in which parliament was assembled, each was immediately arrested and placed in irons in different parts of the building, not one being permitted to communicate with any of the others. Among the number was Alexander MacDonald, 3rd Lord of the Isles, and his mother, the Countess of Ross. Some of the chiefs were immediately beheaded, and the rest sent to various prisons, where after a time some were liberated, and the rest put to death. On his liberation, the young Lord of the Isles

Lord of the Isles

The designation Lord of the Isles is today a title of Scottish nobility with historical roots that go back beyond the Kingdom of Scotland. It emerged from a series of hybrid Viking/Gaelic rulers of the west coast and islands of Scotland in the Middle Ages, who wielded sea-power with fleets of...

 set about to avenge this unparalleled outrage, for he keenly felt the indignity of his imprisonment. In 1429, he summoned all his vassals in Ross and the Isles, and advanced against the town of Inverness

Inverness

Inverness is a city in the Scottish Highlands. It is the administrative centre for the Highland council area, and is regarded as the capital of the Highlands of Scotland...

, which he burnt to the ground, besides wasting the crown lands, in revenge for the treacherous treatment he had received there two years before from the king. King James I

James I of Scotland

James I, King of Scots , was the son of Robert III and Annabella Drummond. He was probably born in late July 1394 in Dunfermline as youngest of three sons...

 immediately placed himself at the head of a large army, and came upon Alexander unexpectedly. The Clan Cameron

Clan Cameron

Clan Cameron is a West Highland Scottish clan, with one main branch Lochiel, and numerous cadet branches. The Clan Cameron lands are in Lochaber and within their lands is the mountain Ben Nevis which is the highest mountain in the British Isles. The chief of the clan is customarily referred to as...

 and Clan Chattan deserted the island lord, who was immediately attacked and defeated. Alexander was forced to surrender unconditionally, when he was imprisoned in Tantallon Castle

Tantallon Castle

Tantallon Castle is a mid-14th-century fortress, located east of North Berwick, in East Lothian, Scotland. It sits atop a promontory opposite the Bass Rock, looking out onto the Firth of Forth...

, and his mother confined in Inchcolm

Inchcolm

Inchcolm is an island in the Firth of Forth in Scotland. Repeatedly attacked by English raiders during the Wars of Scottish Independence, it was fortified during both World Wars to defend nearby Edinburgh...

, in the Firth of Forth

Firth of Forth

The Firth of Forth is the estuary or firth of Scotland's River Forth, where it flows into the North Sea, between Fife to the north, and West Lothian, the City of Edinburgh and East Lothian to the south...

. Along with him we find in prison Lachlan MacLean and other chieftains.

Marriage and children

Before marriage he had a child with the daughter of MacLean of Kingerloch:

• Donald Maclean, 1st Laird of Ardgour sometimes called Mac-Mhic-Eachainn Chinnghearloch. He was born out of wedlock and brought up among his mother's people.

By his first wife, Margaret, daughter of the Earl of Mar

Earl of Mar

The Mormaer or Earl of Mar is a title that has been created seven times, all in the Peerage of Scotland. The first creation of the earldom was originally the provincial ruler of the province of Mar in north-eastern Scotland...

, possibly Alexander Stewart, Earl of Mar

Alexander Stewart, Earl of Mar

-Biography:He was an illegitimate son of Alexander Stewart, Earl of Buchan and probably Mairead inghean Eachann.Alexander held the Earldom of Mar and the Lordship of the Garioch in right of his first wife Isabel Douglas, Countess of Mar . Alexander's marriage to Isabella followed his capture of...

, he had:

• Lachlan Og Maclean
  Lachlan Og Maclean
  -Biography:He was the son of Lachlan Bronneach Maclean. Lachlan Og was called Lachlan the Younger to distinguish him from his father. He was Lord of Duard and Chief of Clan MacLean when political changes were taking place in the Western Isles. The western chiefs had thought themselves independent...
  
  , his heir and successor as 8th Clan Chief.

By his second wife, Fionnaghal, daughter of William MacLeod of Harris, he had two sons:

• Neil Maclean of Ross
• John Garbh Maclean, 1st Laird of Coll
  John Garbh Maclean, 1st Laird of Coll
  -Biography:The fourth branch of the Duard family is that of Coll, descended from John Garbh, third son of Lachlan Bronneach Maclean, seventh chief of MacLean, and second son of the second marriage by Fionnaghal, daughter of MacLeod of Harris....