SCOTLAND HISTORY

Clan Calder:

Origins of the Clan:

The name Calder is believed to derive from the Scottish name for a small stream. Hugh de Cadella, a French knight was created Thane of Calder, later to be known as Cawdor in Narinshire, Scotland. Hugh de Kaledouer was a witness to a charter of land near Montrose in around 1178.

History:

The Calders were great nobles and held lands around the city of Inverness from the 14th century onwards. The tower that stands at the center of Cawdor Castle was built by the Claders in around 1454. The Calders married into other local families particualy the Clan Rose who were Barons of Kilravock. Unfortunately their ascendancy came to an end when Archibald Campbell, Earl of Argyll was along with Hugh Rose of Kilravock appointed guardians to the infant female heir of the Calder family. Campbell tried to take the infant female to Inverary to be educated. This was opposed by her uncles Alexander and Hugh Calder who chased them to Strathnarin but after considerable loss of life she was safely deliverd to Inverary. She was brought up as a Campbell and married Sir John Campbell of Argyll. Muriel the last of the Calders died around 1575 but her descendent John Campbell of Cawdor was raised to the peerage as Lord Cawdor in 1796, and his son was created first Earl of Cawdor in 1827. The name Calder did not die out, however, and the Calders of Asswanly received lands near Elgin in 1440. Margaret Calder the daughter of Sir William Calder of Calder married John Munro of Foulis, Chief of the Clan Munro. The Calders of Asswanly received a baronetcy of Nova Scotia in 1686.

Clan Cameron:

Origins of the Clan:

The origins of Clan Cameron are uncertain. There are several theories of the Camerons' origins. A manuscript of the clan says that it is old tradition that the Camerons were originally descended from the son of the royal family of Denmark who assisted the restoration of King Fergus II of Scotland and that their progenitor was called Cameron from his crooked nose and that his dependants then adopted the name. However the chronicler adds that it is more probable that they are the aborigines of the ancient Scots known as Caledonians. This statement proved that the writer of the history understood neither the meaning of the language he used nor the subject on which he pronounced an opinion. According to John Major the Clan Cameron and the Chattan Confederation shared a common origin and together followed one chief, but this statement has no foundation or evidence to support it. Allen surnamed MacOrchtry the son of Uchtred is mentioned by tradition as the chief of Camerons during the reign of King Robert II of Scotland and according to the same source the Camerons and Chattan Confederation were two rival, hostile tribes. This is a more likely explanation.

Wars of Scottish Independence:

In the 14th Century during the Wars of Scottish Independence Clan Cameron fought alongside King Robert the Bruce against the English at the Battle of Bannockburn June 24th 1314. The clan later fought at the Battle of Halidon Hill July 19th 1333.

14th Century & Clan Conflicts:

Clan Cameron was involved in many clan battles mostly against Clan MacKintosh with whom they had an extensive feud which lasted over 350 years: The Battle of Drumlui 1337, A dispute between the Clan MacKintosh and Clan Cameron over land at Glenlui and Loch Arkaig. The lands had previously been undisputedly owned by the Camerons for many years until they were demanded by William MacKintosh, son of Angus, 6th Chief of Clan MacKintosh. The MacKintoshes appealed to the sword and a battle was fought at Drumlui. The Camerons were defeated under the leadership of Donald Alin Mhic Evin Mhic Evin. This battle led to a very long-lasting feud with the two clans constantly attacking each other. The Battle of Invernahoven 1370 or 1387. The Clan Cameron numbering approximately 400 men were returning home with the booty they had acquired after a raid at Badenoch. They were overtaken at Invernahavon by a body of Clan Chattan Confederation led by Lachlan, Laird of MacKintosh. The Clan Chattan forces consisted of the MacKintoshes, Davidsons and Macphersons. As a result of a disagreement as to whether the Davidsons or Macphersons would occupy the right wing which was the post of honour, the Macphersons withdrew in disgust from the army. The combined numbers of the Clan Chatten confederation had outnumberd the Camerons but with the loss of the Macphersons the Camerons now had a greater number. The battle resulted in a defeat for the Clan Chattan Confederation (MacKintosh and Davidson). It is said that an ally of Cameron known as Charles MacGilony led the clan into battle and is believed to have changed the outcome of the day with his uncanny ability as an archer. At this point, possibly the next morning the Macphersons changed their minds and decided to rejoin the Chattan confederation attacking the Camerons with such vigor that they changed the victory into defeat, and put the Camerons "to flight" towards Drumouchter, skirting the end of Loch Ericht, and then westwards in the direction of the River Treig. The MacKintoshes later claimed that the Macphersons were coaxed into the battle by a man from clan Mackintosh who turned up at Macphersons camp pretending to be from Clan Cameron and calling the Macphersons cowards. The Macphersons then attacked the Camerons' camp making a dreadful slaughter of them, even killing the Camerons' uncanny archer Charles MacGilony at a place now called Charles's Valley, or in Gailic Coire Thearlaich. Battle of The North Inch 1396, In the aftermath of the battle of Invernahoven the Camerons did not not wait long to take their revenge on the MacKintoshes and their Clan Chattan Confederation. The feud between them had become so fierce and bloody that the King Robert III was made aware of it. The King sent two of his Generals to the Highlands to try and resolve the problem, they found it would not be possible to execute the King's orders without loss of the King's own men. The King brought the two rival Chiefs of Clan Cameron and Clan MacKintosh together and decided it would be resolved by the sword. The King ordered part of the river near the City of Perth to be enclosed with a deep ditch in the form of an amphitheatre with seats and benches for the spectators. His Majesty himself sitting as the judge on the field. Crowds and combatants appeared. The clans chose thirty of their best warriors each to take part. A battle was fought that was so bloody and horrible that the crowds and even the King himself were seized with an inexpressible horror. Four of the MacKintoshes survived the battle but they were all fatally or mortally wounded. One Cameron survived and escaped by swimming across the River Tay. The battle had been orchestrated by the King to end the feud between these two rival clans but it did nothing but make it worse and more battles between them were fought.

15th Century & Clan Conflicts:

Battle of Harlaw, 1411 The Clan Cameron fought as Highlanders at the Battle of Harlaw near Inverurie in Aberdeenshire on 24 July 1411 against an Army of Scottish Lowlanders. The Camerons took the side of Donald, Lord of the Isles, (MacDonald) who was the current Earl of Ross through marriage. Their enemy was the Duke of Albany. The Battle of Split Allegiances 1429, This conflict was between forces led by Alexander MacDonald, 3rd Lord of the Isles, who was in pursuance of his claim to the Earldom of Ross and the Royalist army of King James I. It is believed that Donald Dubh, XI Captain and Chief of Clan Cameron, rose in support of the Lord of the Isles, and that Cameron clansmen joined a "large force" (recorded as being 10,000 men) in sacking the town of Inverness and surrounding Crown lands. On the return of their army to Lochaber they were intercepted by King James I with his large army. Donald Dubh, finding himself opposed to his Sovereign, led his men in deserting the Lord of the Isles and joined forces with the King. The Clan MacKintosh is also said to have done likewise and the Lord of the Isles army was defeated/sued for peace, with Alexander submitting to the King and being imprisoned afterwards. Battle of Palm Sunday, 1429; On this day which is traditionally reserved for Christian worship, an incident took place in Lochaber that lives on in infamy. The Chattan Confederation, including the Clan MacKintosh, attacked the Clan Cameron, which was assembled in a church, to which they set fire "and nearly destroyed the whole clan." The incident probably took place between those members of Clan Cameron and Clan Chattan that separated from the Lord of the Isles, or perhaps just a portion of the clan as a whole. This conflict, which might be referred to as "The Massacre of Palm Sunday" is not the focus of this narrative. Many accounts make mention of a battle which was also fought on this date, between these same clans. While it is unknown whether this action took place in the near vicinity of the church massacre, it is probable. History relates that during the engagement most of the MacKintoshes and almost the whole tribe of Camerons were "cut to pieces." It is unclear exactly which tribe of Clan Cameron this would have been. This feud between the two clans seems to date back to 1336, when the rights to the lands of Glenlui and Locharkaig, in Lochaber, were contested. Some authorities believe that these disputed lands at one time made up the official demesne of the "Old Toisech," or head of the tribe which controlled early Lochaber. The Battle of Inverlochy 1431, Clan Cameron fought as Royalists during this battle between the nephew of Alexander the Earl of Ross and Lord of the Isles against the Royalist forces led by the Earl of Mar and Earl of Caithness. The Battle of Corpach 1439, Clan Cameron defended their lands against the Clan MacLean. Clan Cameron won the battle. Prior to this the Cameron lands had been bestowed upon John Garve MacLean of Coll by Alexander, Lord of the Isles. It is recorded that a young MacLean Chieftain, Ewen/John Abrach (the son of John Garve MacLean, so called from his residence in Lochaber) was killed in this battle. It is not likely that this is one and the same with "Hector Bui M'Lean." Rather, they were possibly the leaders of their respective tribes of the MacLeans. With the defeat of the MacLeans at Corpach, the Camerons continued to retain their lands, despite MacLean attempts to "dislodge" them throughout the coming years. The Battle of Craig Cailloch 1441, Clan MacKintosh, at the instigation of Alexander, Lord of the Isles, began to invade and raid the Cameron lands. A sanguinary conflict took place in this year at Craig Cailloch between Clan Cameron and the MacKintoshes in which MacKintosh's second son, Lachlan "Badenoch" was wounded and Gillichallum, his brother, killed. Raid on Ross-shire 1491, Ewen Cameron XIII Chief of Clan Cameron and a large body of Camerons, joined by Alexander of Lochalsh, Clan Ranald of Garmoran and Lochaber and Clan Chattan - who they must have made peace with - went on a raid into the county of Ross-shire. During the raid they clashed with the Clan MacKenzie of Kintail. They then advanced from Lochaber to Badennoch where they were even joined by the Clan MacKintosh. They then proceeded to Inverness where they stormed the Royal Castle and MacKintosh placed a garrison in it. The Lords of Lochalsh appear at this time to have had strong claims upon the Camerons to follow them in the field. They were superiors under the Lord of the Isles of the lands of Lochiel in Lochaber, in addition to the claims of a close marriage alliance (Ewen married a daughter of Celestine of Lochalsh). This would serve to explain the quite unusual mutual participation under a common banner between the Camerons and MacKintoshes in this raid.

16th Century & Clan Conflicts:

Battle of Achnashellach 1505, Little is known of this battle which is often described as an obscure skirmish between the Clan Cameron and Clan MacKay, where the Munro Chief who was on the side of the MacKays was killed. The Clan Munro themselves were not involved but historical research has found that their Chief was acting on the King's orders: "Sir William Munro of Foulis was sent to Lochaber on the King's business and was killed in an engagement between the Camerons and MacKays at a place called Achnashellach in 1505". The outcome of the battle is also disputed as both sides claimed victory. It is Cameron tradition to say they defeated a joint force of MacKays and Munros, however this is thought unlikely as the Camerons would have been massively outnumberd by the MacKays and Munros. William Munro left two sons Hector and William. The eldest, Hector Munro took over as Chief of the Clan and had extensive lands confirmed to him by King James V at Stirling and was made the Royal Lieutenant of Western Ross-shire as his father was before him. During the Anglo-Scottish Wars the Clan Cameron fought against the English army at the Battle of Flodden Field in 1513. Battle of Shirts, Clan Cameron provided archers who sided with Clan MacDonald at the Battle of Shirts in 1544, where they fought against Clan Fraser. Legend has it that only five Frasers and eight MacDonalds survived. The Battle of Bun Garbhain 1570, Donald Dubh Cameron, XV Chief of Clan Cameron, had died, leaving an infant son at the head of the clan. The Chief of Clan MacKintosh, at the head of 200 men, invaded the Cameron lands near Loch Arkaig. The MacKintoshes had approached by Lochielside where, meeting no resistance, they made camp for the night. The following day MacKintosh led his men past Beinn an t-sneachda and approached Loch Arkaig from the south. Barring their way, with a strong position on a hillside, were the men of Clan Cameron. A bloody battle ensued. Though outnumbered, the Camerons had the high ground and soon the field was littered with MacKintoshes both dead and injured. The remainder of their army was put to flight. MacKintosh led his men in retreat around the head of Loch Eil to the Ardgour shore and rallied his men. The Camerons were in swift pursuit and a second engagement took place, with similar results as the first. In the midst of this action the Chief of MacKintosh is believed to have been killed when a fearsome Lochaber axe felled him to the ground. His followers took their stricken chief and fell back to Bun Garbhain (Bun Garvan). Both sides met once again for an indeterminate time, before disengaging for the night. The MacKintoshes made camp in a small hollow called Cuil nan Cuileag, and thought that they were safe. However, the Camerons were not done with their mortal enemies, stormed the encampment and fell upon them. Not a single MacKintosh would leave that hollow and the Cameron victory was absolute. Interestingly the mother of the infant chief of Clan Cameron was in fact a MacKintosh. After the battle she was banished from Lochaber forever. Battle of Glenlivet 1594, XVI Chief of Clan Cameron called Allen Cameron led the clan when they fought and defeated the Clan MacKintosh. At this battle the Camerons sided with the Earl of Huntly whose forces consisted of Clan Gordon, Comyn/Cumming and others. Their enemy was the Earl of Argyll whose forces consisted of the Clan Campbell, Atholl and the Chattan Confederation of Clan MacKintosh and Clan Forbes and others. The Camerons pursued their enimies with great eagerness. The Chattan Confederation of Forbes and MacKintosh and Argyll and Atholl were soundly defeated.

17th Century Clan Conflicts & Civil War:

During the Civil War at the Battle of Inverlochy 1645, Clan Cameron fought on the side of the Royalist Scotts and Irish led by Clan MacDonald who defeated the Scottish Covenanters of Clan Campbell. Standoff at the Fords of Arkaig 1665, the Clan Chiefs of Clan MacKintosh and Clan Cameron were ordered by the Privy Court to end the dispute over the lands near Loch Arkaig once and for all. While MacKintosh was declared to have the legal right Cameron was declared to be the owner. Cameron was ordered to pay MacKintosh a large sum of money for the land but MacKintosh refused this. Soon after Clan MacKintosh and the Chattan Confederation assembled an army of 1500 men. Camerons had raised a force of approximately 1000 men who took up a defensive stance at Achnacarry. Camerons' biographer records that there were 900 men armed with guns and broadswords and a further 300 men armed with bows. It seemed the battle to end all battles between these two ancient adversaries was about to commence. However just as Clan Cameron commenced their attack the powerful Clan Campbell and Chief appeared on the scene. John Campbell, Chief of Campbells brought with him 300 men and declared that he would fight against whichever side initiated the impending battle. The Cameron Chief Ewen soon withdraw all his troops. As a result one of the bloodiest feuds in Scottish history came to an end after 360 years. On September 20th 1665 a contract was signed by both Chiefs of Cameron and MacKintosh with Cameron agreeing to buy the lands from MacKintosh. Then at a place called Clunes around 24 men from each side met face to face and shook hands for the first time in generations. Here they exchanged swords as a token of reconciliation and drank together. The Battle of Mulroy 1668, Clan Cameron and Clan MacKintosh were at peace and Cameron Chief Sir Ewen was responsible for keeping the peace between his men and their former enemies. However when the Chief Sir Ewen Cameron was away in London a feud broke out between Clan MacDonald and their enemies Clan MacKintosh and Clan MacKenzie. As the Cameron Chief was away he was not able to hold back his clan and the combined forces of Cameron and MacDonald defeated the MacKintoshes and MacKenzies.

18th Century & Jacobite Uprisings:

The Clan Cameron fought as Jacobites at the Battle of Sheriffmuir in 1715 during the initial early Jacobite uprisings. The Clan Cameron of Lochiel branch fought at the Battle of Glen Shiel in 1719. Their chief John Cameron of Lochiel, after hiding for a time in the Highlands, made his way back to exile in France. The Clan Cameron fought on the side of the Jacobites against the British Army at the Battle of Culloden 1746. Although they had previously shown loyalty to the British Government, they were talked into joining the Jacobites by Prince Charles Edward Stuart. After the Battle of Culloden the chief, Donald Cameron, also known as 'Gentle Locheil', took refuge in France, where he died in October 1748.

20th Century & World War One:

During World War I the 25th Chief of Clan Cameron raised four additional battalions of the Cameron Highlanders and in 1934 he was created a Knight of the Thistle, a title his son, the next chief was also awarded in 1973.

Septs:

Chalmers Chambers Clark Clarke Clarkson Cleary Clerk Dowie Gibbon Gilbertson Kennedy Leary Lonbie Lonie MacAldowie MacAlonie MacChlerich MacChlery MacClair MacClerie MacGillery MacGillonie MacIldowie MacKail MacKell MacLear MacLeary MacLerie MacMartin MacOnie MacOstrich MacOurlic MacPhail MacSorley MacUlric MacUlrig MacVail MacWalrick Martin Paul Sorley Sorlie Taylor

Clan Campbell:

Origin of name:

The origins of the Campbells are uncertain, it is claimed that the name is derived from the French de Campo Bello, there are a number of competing theories including the theory that the name is from the Gaelic cam beul meaning "curved mouth". The dispute over the name is part of a wider disagreement on origins of the clan between those who point to a Britannic Celtic origin and those who claim Irish descent. The relatively new field of genetic genealogy seems to suggest however that the Campbells are neither - and indeed seem to share a common Scottish ancestor with many of their ancient Argyll foes. The name begins to be established in Argyll at the end of the 13th century, as followers of the Earl of Lennox, with Campbells owning lands in Kintyre and the famous warrior Cailean Mór (Great Colin) knighted (1380) and established at Loch Awe. Cailein Mor's (Great Colin's) older brother established at Strachur forming the oldest branch of Clan Campbell, see Campbell of Strachur. The family of Colin went on to become firm supporters of Robert the Bruce and benefited from his successes with grants of lands, titles and good marriages. The first Lord Campbell was created in 1445. It was from the 15th century that the Campbells came to take an increasingly prominent role, Colin Campbell was en-nobled as the Earl of Argyll in 1457 and later became Baron of Lorn and was also granted lands in Knapdale, signs that the Argylls were one of the major forces in Scotland. Over the centuries, various Campbell Clan Chiefs, including Archibald Campbell, 5th Earl of Argyll, Archibald Campbell, 1st Marquess of Argyll, and John Campbell, 2nd Duke of Argyll, have played key roles in Scottish and, indeed, British history.

Wars of Scottish Independence:

During the Wars of Scottish Independence the Clan Campbell fought alongside King Robert the Bruce at the Battle of Halidon Hill in 1333. Robert the Bruce would later grant the Campbells who had supported him the lands of many who had opposed him and whom they helped him defeat.

Clan Conflicts:

Battle of Red Ford, Lorn 1296; Battle between Clan Campbell & Clan MacDougall. This battle took place due to the feud over coastal lands between the two clans. In the late 13th century the rising force on Scotland's Western Seaboard was the MacDougalls. Controlling the Western mainland was MacDougall's castles, Dunollie and Dunstaffnage, near Oban in Argyllshire while their huge fleet of galleys commanded the seas. Many lives were lost on both sides at the Battle of Red Ford which takes its name from the Ford which ran red with blood where the battle took place. Also on the day one of Campbell's castles on loch Awe was seized by the MacDougalls. The Campbell Chief Cailean Mor Campbell was killed at the battle. His body was carried to the church of St. Peter the Deacon at Kilchrenan on Loch Awe side and buried there. Although the exact burial place is unknown, in 1816 the Duke of Argyll inserted in the gable of the present church, a 14th century gravestone in memory of his ancestor. Battle of Flodden Field 1513, Clan Campbell fought on the side of the Scottish King James IV against an English Army. Many of the poweful Earls of Scotland participated in this battle which is sometimes referd to as the Charge of the Earls which included Campbell's Earl of Argyll. Clan Campbell was among the Scottish forces who fought the English at the Battle of Pinkie Cleugh on 10th September 1547. Due to the large number of Scottish lives lost at this battle the 10th of September is remembered today in Scotland as Black Saturday. In 1567 a conflict took place between the Clan Campbell and Clan MacArthur. Duncan MacArthur and his son of the Loch Awe MacArthur family, became the victims of their own success when jealousy of their power drove neighbours to drown them in Loch Awe during a skirmish with the Clan Campbell. In the archives of Inveraray Castle a charter dated 1567 confirms that a pardon was granted to the Campbells of Inverawe for the "drowning of Clan Arthur". It is believed that the MacArthurs trying to defend themselves were driven into the loch. Centuries later in the 1970's an ancient sword was unearthed on the shore of the loch. Clan Campbell fought at the Battle of Glenlivet in 1594. Where the Earl of Argyll's forces were defeated by the forces of the Earl of Huntly. Argyll's forces consisted of Clan Campbell, Atholl, the Chattan Confederation of Clan MacKintosh and Clan Forbes and others. Huntly's forces consisted of Clan Gordon, Comyn/Cumming, Clan Cameron and others.

17th Century & Civil War:

Battle of Inverlochy (1645), This battle was between the Scottish Argyll Covenanter forces of Clan Campbell led by Archibald Campbell, 1st Marquess of Argyll and the Royalist forces of James Graham the Marquess of Montrose mainly made up from Clan MacDonald, Clan MacLean and other MacDonalds and men from Ireland. Through cunning tactics the Royalist force of 1500 MacDonalds & MacLeans defeated the Argyll Campbell force of 3000. 1645, The Clan Campbell, neighbours of the Clan Lamont had steadily enroached the Lamont's lands. After the Battle of Inverlochy in 1645 the Clan Lamont took the opportunity to lay waste to the Campbell's territory. 1646, Dunoon Massacre, However the following year in 1646 the powerful Clan Campbell army invaded the Clan Lamont taking their Castles Toward and Ascog. Sir James Lamont surrended after accepting fair terms for his people. However the Campbells then slaughterd over two hundred of Lamont's men, women and children. Elsewhere one tree was said to have carried thirty five bodies from its branches and another thirty six men were buried alive. The two Lamont castles were decimated and Sir James Lamont was thrown into a dungeon for five years. This became known as the Dunoon Massacre. 1647; Siege of Duart Castle; In 1647 Duart Castle was attacked and laid siege to by the Argyll government troops of Clan Campbell led by Stuart A Campbell, but they were defeated and driven off by the Royalist troops of Clan MacLean. Battle of Stirling (1648), Campbells were among the forces of the Marquis of Argyll who was defeated at the Battle of Stirling in 1648 by the forces of Sir George Munro who were in support of the Earl of Lanerick. Argyll lost 200 dead and another 400 wounded or captured. Among Argyll's dead was William Campbell of Glenfalloch and Sir Colin Campbell of Ardkinglas killed in action. Battle of Altimarlech 1678; A battle took place between Clan Campbell and Clan Sinclair. Legend has it that so many Sinclairs were killed that the Campbells were able to cross the river without getting their feet wet. Clearly, however, the Sinclairs had influence in high places as only a few years later, in 1681, they regained the earldom by an order of Parliament. 1678; Archibald Campbell the 9th Earl, son of the Marquess of Argyll, invades the Clan MacLean lands on the Isle of Mull and garrisons Duart Castle. In 1692, 78 unarmed MacDonalds were murdered in the Massacre of Glencoe when a government initiative to suppress Jacobitism was entangled in the long running feud between Clan MacDonald and Clan Campbell. The slaughter of the MacDonalds at the hands of the soldiers, led by Captain Robert Campbell, after enjoying their hospitality for over a week was a major affront of Scottish Law and Highland tradition.

18th Century & Jacobite Uprisings:

Battle of Sheriffmuir 1715; During the initial early Jacobite Uprisings the British government forces of Clan Campbell fought against the Jacobites of Clan MacDonald who were under MacDonald of Keppoch. However there were in fact some Campbells who took the side of the Jacobites led by the son of Campbell of Glenlyon whose father had commanded the government troops at the Massacre of Glencoe 22 years earlier. The two young men "buried the hatchet" and swore to be brothers in arms, fighting side by side in the Battle of Sheriffmuir. The British government forces of Clan Campbell defeated the Jacobites. During the Jacobite Uprisings of 1745 to 1746 the Clan Campbell supported the British Government and fought against the rebel Jacobites at the Battle of Falkirk (1746) and the Battle of Culloden 1746 where they were victorious.

Septs:

Burns Dunoon Hastings Lorn(e) Loudo(u)n (Mac)Cowan MacDiarmaid (Mac)Gibbon MacIvor (Mac)Kellar McKelvie MacNocaird MacOran MacPhun MacTavish MacVicar Orr Pinkerton Tenhet

Clan Carmichael:

Origin of name:

The name Carmichael originally comes from lands in Lanarkshire which were granted to Sir James Douglas of Clan Douglas in 1321 and by his nephew to Sir John Carmichael between 1374 and 1384.

Battles and History :

The Carmichaels were strong supporters of the Clan Douglas during their struggles for ascendancy, and were with them, fighting the English at the Battle of Otterburn in 1388 when the Scots defeated Henry 'Hotspur', Earl of Northumberland. The Carmichaels were part of the Scottish Army sent to aid the French against English invasion, and at the Battle of Beauge in 1421, so tradition relates, Sir John Carmichael unseated the English commander, Clarence, in so doing broke his spear. This event, according to tradition, gained the Carmichaels their crest of a broken spear. Katherine, daughter of Carmichael of Meadowflat, became a mistress of James V of Scotland and bore him a son who thus became half-brother to the ill-fated Mary Queen of Scots. In 1546 Peter Carmichael of Balmedie was one of the murderers of the infamous Cardinal Beaton, and for his crime was sent to the 'galleys' where he shared penance with John Knox, 'father' of Protestantism in Scotland. Carmichaels were on both sides during Scottish Civil War and English Civil War. Lord Carmichael stood on side of King Charles I but two of his sons fought for the parliamentarians while the other two were Royalists. The brothers were reunited tragically at the Battle of Marston Moor in 1644, where one of the royalist sons, John Carmichael was killed fighting against his own elder brothers, one of whom commanded the Clydesdale Regiment. In 1647 Sir James Carmichael became Lord Carmichael and his son became Earl of Hyndford in 1701. The principle family became allied to the Clan Anstruther by the marriage of Lady Margaret, daughter of the 2nd Earl, to Sir John Anstruther whose descendants inherited the Carmichael lands on the death of the 6th Earl of Hyndford in 1817. This family then took the name Carmichael - Anstruther which they continued until the succession of the present chief who resumed the family name in 1980.

Clan Carnegie :

Origin of name:

The Carnegies took their name from the area around Carmyllie, Angus. The family who adopted this name however, were originally known under an earlier adopted placename of Balinhard which is also in Angus. The Balinhards can be found in records from 1230. In 1358 John of Balinhard was granted the lands and barony of Carnegie by Walter de Maule. He became John the 1st of Carnegie and lived until 1370. John Carnegie of that Ilk was his successor and a direct family line ran from him until 1530. It was in 1409 that Duthac of Carnegie acquired part of the lands of Kinnaird and an important Carnegie line developed in this area.

16th Century & Anglo Scottish Wars:

In the 16th century during the Anglo Scottish Wars with England the Clan Chief John Carnegie of Kinnaird led the clan against the English at the Battle of Flodden Field in 1513 where he was slain. The son of John Carnegie was called Robert who fought against the English at the Battle of Pinkie Cleugh in 1547 where he was captured and taken prisoner. When Robert was released he was knighted and made Scotland's ambassador to France in 1556. Robert was also the first of the Carnegies to claim that his ancestors were the cup bearers to the Kings of Scotland. This royal office is remembered in the family arms which bear an ancient cup.

17th Century & Civil War:

In 1616 Sir David Carnegie, 8th of Kinnaird, was made Lord Carnegie of Kinnaird. In 1633 he was created Earl of Southesk. The second Earl James was imprisoned by Oliver Cromwell for his Royalist beliefs. He was known as the ‘Black Earl’ because he reputedly learned magic at Padau.

18th Century & Jacobite Uprisings:

Descending from a younger son of the 1st Earl of Southesk was Sir James Carnegie of Pittarrow, the distinguished soldier. In 1663 this line was created Baronets of Nova Scotia. During the Jacobite Uprisings of 1715, Lord Southesk and Glengarry worked closely in the Jacobite Army.

Clan Cathcart :

Origins of the name:

As well as being a surname Cathcart is a Scottish town just south of Glasgow. There is some speculation as to the origin of the name Cathcart. Some believe it is ancient Celtic meaning, "Fort on the River Cart", as that river flows right past the ancient castle. Others believe it means, "The straight or confined part of the Cart River". Be that as it may, the name is ancient, but originally spelled Kerkert or Kethkert, probably because of pronunciation.

Battles and history:

Clan Cathcart land, south of Glasgow.The Peerage refers to the Clan Cathcart. The first known mention of the Kethcarts, is a man named Rainaldus de Kethcart, who witnessed a charter by Walter Fitzalan to the Church of Kethcart for the monastery of Paisley in 1178.

Wars of Scottish independence:

Notable Cathcarts include Sir Alan Cathcart, who was a companion of King Robert I when he mounted the Scottish throne in 1307, and was engaged on his side at the Battle of Loudoun Hill that same year, when the Scots defeated the English. The Peerage quotes an old poem about the bravery of Sir Alan who accompanied King Robert the Bruce and his good humour. The following year, he was made one of Edward Bruce's party of 50 horsemen who attacked and dispersed 1,500 calvary under John de St. John in Galloway. The peerage quotes on old poem about Sir Alan's bravery and good humor. Another notable was the first Lord Cathcart, dignified with the honour in 1447 by King James II.

15th century:

Another notable Cathcart was the 1st Lord Cathcart, dignified with the honour in 1447 by King James II of Scotland. [edit] 16th century and Anglo-Scottish Wars During the Anglo-Scottish Wars Alan Cathcart the son of the second Lord Cathcart was killed with his two half brothers Robert and John when the Clan Cathcart fought against the English at the Battle of Flodden Field in 1513. The third Lord Cathcart led the clan at against the English at the Battle of Pinkie Cleugh where he was killed in 1547. Alan Cathcart the fourth Lord Cathcart led the clan at the Battle of Langside in 1568 on the side of the James Stewart, 1st Earl of Moray against the army of Mary Queen of Scots. The 16th Century Killochan Castle was built by John Cathcart in 1586.

Jacobite uprisings:

The eighth Lord Cathcart, Charles Cathcart had a distinguished military career rising to the rank of colonel. When the first Jacobite Uprising broke out in 1715 he commanded troops in support of the British government at the Battle of Sheriffmuir. When the second Jacobite Uprising broke out in 1745 the Charles Cathcart, 9th Lord Cathcart commanded troops in support of the British government at the Battle of Culloden in 1746 where he was shot in the face and wounded.

Napoleonic Wars:

William Cathcart, the tenth Lord Cathcart accompanied his father to Russia. When he returned to Scotland he took up legal studies and was called to the Bar in 1776. When he succeeded his fathers title he gave up legal studies and returned to the army. He rose to the rank of lieutenant general and was commander in chief of the forces in Ireland. He was also created a Knight of the Thistle. During the Napoleonic Wars in 1807 as Napolean's troops were about to take control of Denmark, Lord Cathcart with Admrial Gambier successfully besieged Copenhagen and captured the Danish fleet of over 60 vessels together with naval stores and munitions. He was rewarded with the titles Viscount Cathcart and Baron of Greenock. In june 1814 he was made Earl Cathcart. The second Earl Cathcart also had a distinguished military career and served throughout the Peninsular War, fighting at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815. He was also the commander of the British Army in Scotland and governor of Edinburgh Castle from 1837 to 1842.

Clan Charteris :

Origin of name:

Chartres, the French city famed for its cathedral, is claimed as the origin of this name. William, a son of the Lord of Chartres, is said to have come to England with the Norman Conquest, and his son or grandson came north to Scotland with the retinue of David I. One of the earliest references to the name is found in a charter to the Abbey of Kelso around 1174, where the name appears in its Latin version, de Carnoto.

Clan History:

One of the earliest references to the name Chateris is found in a charter to the Abbey of Kelso around 1174, where the name appears in its Latin version, de Carnoto. In 1266 a charter of confirmation provides evidence of four generations: Robert de Carnoto, knight, is said to be the son of Thomas, who was himself son of Thomas, son of Walther. Sir Thomas de Charteris was appointed Lord High Chancellor of Scotland by Alexander III of Scotland in 1280, the first person to hold this office who was not also a clergyman.

Scottish Wars of Independence:

Andrew de Charteris rendered homage to Edward I of England in the Ragman Roll of 1296, but soon took up arms to fight for Scotland’s independence, for which his estates were forfeited to Balliol, the English-sponsored King of Scots. During the Wars of Scottish Independence his son, William, was an adherent of Robert the Bruce and was with him when the Clan Comyn Chief was slain at the Battle of Dumfries in 1306. Sir Thomas Charteris, now styled ‘of Amisfield’, faithfully supported the Scottish Crown and was appointed ambassador to England. In 1342 he was appointed Lord High Chancellor by David II. He was killed in 1346 at the Battle of Durham.

Clan Conflicts:

Feud with Clan Kilpatrick 1526, A feud appears to have developed between the Charterises and the Clan Kilpatrick of Kirkmichael. In Pitcairn’s Criminal Trials of Scotland it is recorded that in March 1526 John Charteris of Amisfield, his brother and his two sons were charged with the murder of Roger Kilpatrick, son of Sir Alexander Kilpatrick of Kirkmichael. Dual with Sir James Douglas of Clan Douglas 1530, A more noble dispute occurred in 1530, when Sir Robert Charteris, the eighth Laird, fought a duel with Sir James Douglas of Drumlanrig from Clan Douglas in what was said to have been one of the last great chivalric contests. It was fought with all the observance of a medieval tournament with heralds and the king himself watching from the castle walls. The joust was apparently fought with such fury that Charteris’ sword was broken and the king had to send his men-at-arms to part the combatants. Battle with the Clan Ruthven 1544, In 1544 the Ruthvens who held considerable sway over Perth from their nearby Castle of Huntingtower, often disputed the authority of the Charterises, which led to a bitter and bloody feud. In 1544 Patrick, Lord Ruthven, was elected Provost of Perth, but at the instigation of Cardinal Beaton, who suspected Ruthven of Protestant sympathies, he was deprived of the office, and John Charteris of Kinfauns was appointed in his stead. The city declined to acknowledge Charteris, and barred the gates against him. Charteris, along with Lord Gray and Clan Leslie, gathered their forces and attacked the town. They were repulsed by the Ruthvens who were assisted by their neighbours the Clan Moncrieff, and Charteris was forced to flee. The Ruthvens remained Provosts of Perth until William Ruthven, Earl of Gowrie, was executed in 1584. In 1552 John Charteris had been killed by the earl’s heir in the High Street in Edinburgh.

Civil War:

The Clan Charteris led by John Charteris of Amsfield initially supported the Covenanters however they refused to take up arms against King Charles I, for this John Charteris was imprisoned in Edinburgh Castle for two years. When he was released he joined the Royalist James Graham the 1st Marquess of Montrose where the clan fought at the Battle of Philiphaugh in 1645. John's brother Alexander Charteris also followed Montrose and was captured and executed in Edinburgh Castle in 1650. Alexander met his end at the hands of ‘the maiden’ Scotland's own guillotine. This gruesome device is still on display in Edinburgh's Museum of Antiquities

Branches of the Clan:

Apart from the Ruthvens another branch of the Charteris family which also long disputed the chiefship with their Dumfriesshire cousins were the Charterises of Kinfauns in Perthshire. They are said to have received the lands of Kinfauns as a reward for supporting the cause of Robert the Bruce against the English.

Clan Chattan :

Origin of name:

The origin of the name Chattan is disputed. There are three main theories The name derives from the Catti, a tribe of Gauls, driven out by the advancing Romans. The name is taken from Catav, in Sutherland. The clan derives its name from Gillchattan Mor, baillie of Ardchattan, follower of St Cattan. This is the most widely accepted theory.

Clans of the Chattan Confederation:

Clan MacKintosh, Clan Shaw, Clan Davidson, Clan MacBain (or MacBean), Clan MacPhail, Clan MacQueen, Clan MacThomas, Clan Macpherson, Clan Farquharson, Clan MacGillivray, Clan MacIntyre of Badenoch, Clan MacLean of Dochgarroch, Clan Anderson, Clan McElhatton

History:

Little is known, or can be reliably proven about the clan before the 14th century. It is claimed that the last of the Chattan line, Eva, married Angus, 6th Chief of Clan MacKintosh in 1291, allowing the Chief of Mackintosh to assume the title of Captain of Clan Chattan. Throughout the centuries, the leadership of Clan Chattan by the MacKintoshes has been challenged, unsuccessfully, by Clan Macpherson. During the War of Independence with England, the clan sided with Robert I of Scotland, most likely due to the fact that MacKintosh's enemy, John Comyn had declared for Edward Balliol. In reward for his fealty, MacKintosh was awarded the Comyn lands of Benchar in Badenoch in 1319. It was after this event that the Clan Chattan grew in size and influence to 17 tribes. During the 1745 Jacobite Rising, Angus, the chief of Clan MacKintosh was a captain in the Black Watch. Although traditionally the Clan supported the House of Stewart they had not declared for the Young Pretender. Angus's wife, Anne, of Farquharson, successfully rallied the Chattan Confederation to the Jacobite cause. Following the defeat at the Battle of Culloden in 1746 the clan was severely diminished in strength and influence. In 1747 the Clan Chattan Association was established as a way to stimulate interest in the clan history. The Association floundered and a second Association was founded in 1893, but again died out around 1900. The third Association was founded in 1933 in London and continues to this day. In 1942, the Lyon court separated the leadership of Clan MacKintosh and Clan Chattan. The leadership of Clan Chattan passed to the MacKintosh of Tordarroch line.