Features: Scottish Clan Early Genealogy - Clan MacLachlan

Motto: Fortis et Fidus (Strong and faithful)
Historic Seat: (Old) Castle Lachlan
District: Argyll
Associated Surnames: Ewing, Gilchrist, Lachie, Lauchlan, MacGilchrist, MacLaghlan
Associated Tartans:

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

Strathlachlan, in Argyll-shire, of old called Kilmorie, from a chapel of the Virgin Mary, is the country of this clan; it is 11 miles in length, with an average of 1-1/2 miles in breadth. The name of the parish is now derived from the MacLachlans of that Ilk, who have resided there from time immemorial.

Robertson says that the genealogy of this clan is that of Lachlan Oig, who is named in the account as of a remote time, and states that his mother was Elizabeth, daughter of a Lord of Cowal; and that this corresponds with the tradition that this clan derived their possessions in Cowal through an heiress of the Lamonts, the ancient Lords of that district.

After being followers of the Lords of the Isles, he adds, the MacLachlans became dependent on the Campbells.

In the "Index of Missing Charters" of Robert I there is one to "Gillespie M'Lachlan of the tenth land of Schyrwaghthyne," etc. and the name Laclanson occurs in three charters under the same monarch.

Archibald MacLachlan of Strathlachlan and that Ilk appears in the Roll of 1594, so frequently quoted. He appears in the previou Roll of 1587 (Act. Parl., Jac. VI.).

The name occurs frequently in that quaint volume "Brittanes DIstemper," by Gordon of Ruthven, published for the Spalding Club. In 1645 "Corronel M'Lachlan" led a regiment of foot under Montrose at Alford, and routed the enemy's cavalry; but was taken at the battle of Philiphaugh, and "put to death in the Castill of Edinburgh."

In the Parliament under Charles II, 1678, Archibald MacLachlan of Craigentarve was a Commissioner for Argyll, with his chief, Lachlan MacLachlan of that Ilk, and MacLachlan, the Captain of Innisconnel, a castle of Argyll's Lochawe.

Among others of the clan, Auchmar enumerates "MacLachlan of Auchintroig, in the shire of Stirling, with a charter in favour of Celestin MacLachlan, one of those ancestors, Duncan, Earl of Lennox, confirms a charter, granted by Eugene MacKesson of Garchells to one of the said Celestin's ancestors, which confirmation was dated 1394, the eighth year of the reign of Robert III. There is another numerous sept of the MacLachlans residing in Morven and Lochaber, the principal of these being MacLachlan of Coryuanon; of this family are MacLachlan of Drumlane in Menteith, with others of that surname there."

In 1794, when Donald MacLachlan of that Ilk was chief, he resided in a modern house, near the ancient castle, the walls of which were over 47 feet in height, with a frontage of 72 feet. The tradition regarding it is that it was built by a lady at the time her husband, the laird, was abroad serving in one of the Crusades. A most unlikely story, and evidently borrowed form that of the Castle of Kilchurn.

In 1810 Captain MacLacblan of the Royal Marines of H.M.S. Caledonia, under Admiral Sir Harry Neale, distinguished himself in the Basque Roads at the storming of the battery on the Point du Ché, spiking the guns there.

Donald MacLachlan died, and was succeeded by his son Robert, whose nephew, John, is the twenty-second and present chief.

(End excerpt)

Next page: Clan MacLaine