Features: Scottish Clan Early Genealogy - Clan MacAlpine

Historic Seat: Dunstaffnage Castle
District: Argyll
Associated Surnames: Calpin, Culpen, Elphin, Galpin, Gilpin, Halpin
Associated Tartans:

Early MacAlpine Genealogy and History:
(Excerpt from "The Scottish Clans and Their Tartans", James Grant, 1906)

It has been claimed for the Royal Clan Alpin that it is the most ancient clan in the Highlands. The old Gaelic saying, "Chuic is uillt is Ailpeanaich," intimates that the origin of the clan was contemporary with the formation of hillocks and streams.

The MacAlpines, according to some of the records, are descended of those venerable sons of antiquity whose successors became Kings of Scotland during twenty-five generations.

The ancient crest of the MacAlpines is a boar's head couped, gules, gutty sanguine: with the Gaelic motto "Cuimhnich bàs Ailpein," that is, Remember the death of Alpin, alluding to the murder of King Alpin by Brudas after the Picts defeated the Scots near Dundee in the year 834.

The ancient seat of the family of MacAlpine is said to have been at Dunstaffnage in Argyllshire.

Sìol Ailpein, as described in histories relating to the Highlands and the Clans, is composed of the MacGregors, MacNabs, MacKinnons, MacQuarries, Grants, and several other branches. The Alpinian origin of those clans has, however, been questioned. One reputable writer has stated that it seems not to have been heard of until after 1467. The principal clan appears ot have been that of the MacGregors. The MacGregor motto, "'S Rioghail mo Dhream" - my people are Royal - is expressive of the royal descent of Clan Alpin.

"Sliochd nan righribh duchasach (Offspring of hereditary kings)
Bha shios an Dun Staiphnis, (Who were down at Dunstaffnage,)
Aig an robh crun na h-Alb' o thus, (Who in the beginning had the crown of Albyn)
'S aig an robh duchas fathasd ris." (And who still have a claim to it.)

(End excerpt)

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