Clan
MacFarlane Brief History
MacFarlane
Lands are located in the
West Highlands at the heads of Loch Long and
Loch Lomond. For about five centuries the MacFarlane
Chiefs presided over this area. Clan MacFarlane
did not originate in the Highlands. Like a number
of other clans, they integrated into the great
Scottish Highlands by a long residence among
the mountains and the lochs, and by intermarriage
with native families of Celtic decent. Many
people wrongfully try to derive the Clan's origins
from the Celts, however it is noted that the
earliest known ancestor of the family was the
Saxon Arkil, son of Egfrith. Arkil, a Northumbrian
chief who fled to Scotland to escape the devastation's
of William the Conqueror, received from Malcom
Canmore the custody of the Lennox district,
and became the first founder of the family bearing
that title. Alwyn, son of Arkil, was created
Earl of Lennox by the latter King. The son,
another Alwyn, of the first Earl of Lennox being
a minor at the time of his father's death, was
too young to takeover the earldom, so William
the Lion gave it to his brother David, Earl
of Huntingdon, but the young Earl recovered
possession around 1199 AD. When he died in 1224
AD, he left no fewer than eight sons. Of these,
Malduin, the eldest, became third Earl of Lennox,
and Gilchrist, the fourth son, obtained from
Malduin in 1225 AD a charter for the lands of
Arrochar, and became ancestor of the MacFarlanes!
Along with Clan Donnachaidh, the MacFarlanes
are said to have been the earliest of the clans
to hold their lands by feudal charter.
Gilchrist's son, Malduin, befriended and aided
Robert the Bruce during his fight for independence
from the English. The MacFarlanes are reported
to have fought at Bannockburn in 1314. The clan
takes its name from Malduin's son Parlan.
The
name, Parlan, has been linked to Partholon,
" Spirit of the Sea Waves", in Irish
myths and legend. More usually, it is considered
the Gaelic equivalent of Bartholomew. Gaelic
grammar requires changes within a word to indicate
possession. A "P" is softened to a
"Ph", and an "i" is added
to the last syllable. In this way, " son
of Parlan" becomes Mac (son) Pharlain (of
Parlan).
The
lands of Arrochar were first given (by charter)
to Malduin MacGhilchrist in approx. 1286. Iain
MacPharlain received a charter confirmation
to Arrochar in 1420. Duncan, the last Celtic
Earl of Lennox was executed by James I. Although
the MacFarlanes had a valid claim to the earldom,
the title was given by the crown to John Stewart,
Lord Darnley. The MacFarlanes sought to oppose
the Stewarts but they proved too powerful and
Andrew MacFarlane the 10th chief, married a
younger daughter of Lord Darnley, forging a
new alliance. Thereafter the MacFarlanes followed
the new Earls of Lennox in most of the major
conflicts of the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries.
The
11th chief and many of his clansmen fell at
Flodden in 1513. The MacFarlanes later opposed
the English at the Battle of Pinkie in 1547
where Duncan the 13th chief and his brother
were both killed.
After
the murder of Henry Darnley, Mary, Queen of
Scot's' second husband, the MacFarlanes opposed
the queen and were noted for their gallantry
at the battle of Langside in 1568. Andrew the
Wizard, 14th chief, is said to have captured
no less than 3 of Mary's standards. The valor
of Andrew and his men was rewarded by the Regent,
James, Earl of Moray with the Clan's original
crest and motto. The crest and motto alludes
to the defense of the Crown and Kingdom. Since
Mary had abdicated previously in favor of her
infant son, she was in rebellion against the
Crown, Moray and James VI during these times.
For
much of their history, the MacFarlanes were
a very turbulent lot. Their rallying cry, "Loch
Sloy", signaled many a night raid to "collect"
cattle from their richer neighbors to the south
and east. Their march-piobaireachd "Thogail
nam Bo theid sinn" (To Lift the Cows We
Shall Go) gives ample notice of intent. They
were so competent that the full moon was known
as "MacFarlanes' Lantern".
In
1608, they slew the Colquhoun of Luss and were
outlawed. Later Chiefs were quieter. They established
homes on the Islands of Invergulas and Eilean
a' Bhuth (now called Island I Vow). This last
was burned out twice during the Cromwellian
invasions in the 17th century.
Walter,
the 20th Chief, (mid-18th Cent.) was a renowned
scholar and antiquarian. His home now forms
the central part of the landmark Cobbler Hotel,
near Arrochar.
The
clan lands at Arrochar were sold off for debt
after Walter's death in 1767, and the direct
male line of the chiefs failed in 1886.
At
present, the Clan Chieftancy is dormant, but
here is an excerpt from an Email that explains
the rank/title procedures of today a little
further :
According
to the Lord Lyon, societies with their own grants
of arms, are considered a house within the clan.
They hold the rank of the Clans Civil Service
for lack of a better analogy and play a very
important role in the clan as societies do not
die like individuals do (many times without
issue). They can become an institution that
will be there throughout the ages to maintain
the Clan's presence and to keep it together.
The president of such societies are considered
the head of this house, representative of the
Society's arms, and a branch Chieftan (like
MacFarlane of Gartartan etc.). Unfortunately
many societies have not taken such action nor
do they have any desire to take on such responsibility.
Our Society has. Anyway, this was first written
by the former Lord Lyon, Sir Thomas Innes of
Learney, who was the father of the recently
retired Lord Lyon, Sir Malcom Innes of Edinknight,
the current Lord Lyon is now Sir Robin Blair.
These days our heritage is in great danger of
being lost (Not just MacFarlane but all Scots)
and the Lyon Court has encouraged many to take
such action. More and more clans are calling
the Derphine together to elect Chiefs if none
can be found.
Although our clan is without a Chief, our current
president does hold the right to be called Chieftan.
As explained, many societies do not want to
take on this responsibility, but our has.
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