|
|
The MacFarlanes are descendants of the Earl
of Lennox whose brother was to bestow the lands at Arrochar, by Loch Long,
confirmed to Iain MacPharlain in 1420.
When Earl Duncan of Lennox was executed by
James I the MacFarlanes had a valid claim to the title, yet it was given
to the Stewarts by the crown. Initially there was some dispute but they
would remain loyal to the Stewarts.
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 devastations of
William the Conqueror, recieved 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.
The
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 as you might think however. 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.
In short, the Macfarlanes are descended
from Alwyn, Celtic Earl of Lennox, whose younger son, Gilchrist, received
lands at Arrochar on the shores of Loch Long at the end of the 12th
century. 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, 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 favour 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",
signalled 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 1598, 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 reknowned 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.
Clan Crest
Clan Tartan
near Loch Lomond
Clan Lands
|
