ABOUT CLAN MACLAREN

Our Clan is one of the most ancient Clans of Scotland. Its Chiefs were cadets of the Celtic dynastic house of the Earls of Strathearn. The traditional lands of the Clan stretch from the Braes of Balquhidder to Loch Earn. The eponymous ancestor of the Clan is Abbot Labhran (Laurence) who lived in Balquhidder in the early 1200s.

Chieftain, Iain MacLaren (left) and Chief Donald MacLaren of
MacLaren (right) piping at the Clan Cairn

In 1558, the MacGregors raided 18 homes, slaughtered our Clan's families, including the Chief, and took possession. As a result, the Clan was unable to produce "legal" title to its lands. The Clan was then "chiefless and landless".

Up to the 16th century the Clan wielded considerable influence but in its exposed central position, and following the MacGregor raids, began to see its fighting power diminish. The Clan fought consistently for the Scottish crown from Bannockburn onwards, but this led to further losses culminating in the Battle of Culloden where we lost a quarter of our remaining fighting strength.

In 1957 Donald MacLaren of MacLaren and Achleskine successfully matriculated his Arms at the Lyon Court. He also purchased land in Balquhidder, including Creag an Tuirc (the "Boar's Rock"), the traditional rallying point of the Clan. The label "chiefless and landless" was finally removed.

Following his death, Donald's son, Donald succeeded as Chief in 1966. He is in the Diplomatic Service having served in Berlin, Moscow, Havana, Caracas and is now in Tbilisi, Georgia. He has been the British Ambassador to the Republic of Georgia since 2004.

The Auld Kirk and the New Kirk at Balquhidder

With his home in Balquhidder the Chief, his wife Maida and their five children, Donald Og, Florian, Louis, Iona and Marina spend as much time as possible in the traditional heart of the Clan land.