SCOTLAND HISTORY

Clan Gordon:

Origin of the Clan:

The origin on the Gordon family in Scotland was not Gaelic. This is best described by H. Potter in his book, Blood Feud. Although the Gordon family in Scotland rose to become the predominant power in the northeast of Scotland they were not natives to that part or indeed to Scotland, and had a feudal rather than a Gaelic origin. Of Norman descent, they were one of many families welcomed into his kingdom by King David I of Scotland. By the early twelfth century they had settled in the village and estates of Gordon, near Kelso in the Scottish Borders under the protection of their kinsman, the Earl of Dunbar." Because the Gordon family did not start as a "clan", it is often referred to as the House of Gordon, a name more tied to its Norman descent. While the family organization in Scotland calls itself the "House of Gordon", most publications use the more common "Clan Gordon" as does the book "Scottish Clan and Family Encyclopedia" considered the authority. Some Gordons claim to be Clan Gordon while others House of Gordon out of personal preference or bias. While Clan Gordon is certainly the most common term used, both Clan and House are truly synonymous and either term is proper. Hence our use of both House of Gordon and Clan Gordon.

14th Century & Wars of Scottish Independence:

During the Wars of Scottish Independence Clan Gordon supported Robert the Bruce and fought at the Battle of Halidon Hill in 1333. Clan Chief Sir John Gordon is killed leading the clan at the Battle of Otterburn where the English were defeated in 1388.

15th Century & Clan Conflicts:

The Clan gordon was at one point one of the most powerful clans in middle Scotland. Clan feuds and battles were frequent, especially with the Clan Cameron, Clan Murray, Clan Forbes and the Chattan Confederation. Clan Chief Sir Adam Gordon is killed leading the clan at the Battle of Homildon Hill, also known as the Battle of Humbleton Hill on 14th September 1402. On September 14, 1402, a Scottish army returning from a pillaging expedition in the English county of Northumberland. The chief left his only child, a daughter called Elizabeth Gordon who married Alexander Seton, who was the son of Sir William Seton the chief of Clan Seton. The Gordons fought at the Battle of Arbroath in 1445 where Patrick Gordon of Methlic was slain. Patrick Gordon was from the branch of the Gordons of Haddo, which has for its head the Marquess of Aberdeen and Temair. This branch claims to represent the original house of Gordon in the male line, by descent from Gordon of Coldingknowes. The Gordons fought alongside men from the Clan Ogilvy, Clan Oliphant, Clan Seton and Clan Forbes of Pitsligo. They fought against an army of over 1000 men from the Clan Lindsay under the Master of Crawford. The Master's father the Earl of Crawford rode inbetween the two armies in an attempt to call a truce. However, an illadvised Ogilvie, thinking that this was the start of the Lindsay's attack, threw his spear at the Earl, hitting him in the mouth and killing him instantly. So the battle began which went in the Clan Lindsay's favour. Here fell Ogilvie of Inverquharty, Forbes of Pitsligo, Brucklay of Gartley, Gordon of Borrowfield, and Oliphant of Aberdalgie, along with 500 or so Ogilvie's. However, the Lindsays lost a disproportionate amount of men, most notably the Earl himself. The Gordons defeat the Clan Douglas who had invaded their lands. The Douglases were enemies of the King. The Gordons stood on the king’s side, and with their men involved in the south of the country, the Earl of Moray, a relation and ally of the Douglases, took the opportunity to sack the Gordon lands, setting Huntly Castle ablaze. The Gordons returned and quickly destroyed their enemies. Although the castle was burned to the ground, a grander castle was built in its place. In 1449 the eldest son of Elizabeth Gordon and Alexander Seton who was also called Alexander was made chief, Lord of Gordon and Huntly. However his male heirs through his third wife Elizabeth Crichton were obliged to bear the name of Gordon to succeed as chiefs of the clan. Chief of Clan Lindsay Alexander Lindsay, the 4th Earl of Crawford, also known as the Tiger Earl and Earl Beardie was badly defeated by the Clan Gordon and Clan Ogilvy under the Earl of Huntly at Brechin in 1452.

16th Century & Clan Conflicts:

The Gordons fought at the Battle of the Western Isles in 1505. 1520, Feud with Clan Forbes, During the 15th and 16th centuries the Clan was engaged in a long feud against Clan Forbes. The feud which had been carried on for a long time reached a climax in the 1520's with murders committed by both sides occuring constantly. One of the most prominent of those killed by the Forbes action, Seton of Meldrum, was a close connection of the chief of the Gordons, the Earl of Huntly. The Earl of Huntly soon became involved in a plot aimed at the Master of Forbes (son of John, the 6th Lord Forbes), who was heavily implicated in the Seton murder. In 1526 the title of Earl of Sutherland and chieftenship of the Clan Sutherland passed by right of marraige to Adam Gordon who was a son of the chief of Clan Gordon. In 1536 Chief of Gordons, the Earl of Huntly accused the Master of Forbes of conspiring to assassinate King James V of Scotland while visiting Aberdeen by shooting at him with a cannon. The Master of Forbes was tried and executed, but within days his sentence was revoked and the Clan Forbes family restored to favour. However the damage to relations between the Clan Forbes and Clan Gordon was irreparable. Attacks by each family and their supporters were carried out more or less continuously throughout the remainder of the century, reducing Aberdeenshire to an unparalleled state of lawlessness. During the Anglo-Scottish Wars Clan Gordon fought against the English at the Battle of Pinkie Cleugh 1547. In 1562 while visiting Inverness the Princess who would later become Mary Queen of Scotts was refused admission into Inverness Castle by the governor of the Castle who was a Gordon. The Clan Munro and Clan Fraser wishing to support Mary took Inverness Castle for her. Mary then hanged the Gordon who had refused her admission. Corriche 1562, The Battle of Corrichie took place around Meikle Tap in 1562, between George Gordon, 4th Earl of Huntley and James Stuart, the new Earl of Moray (half-brother to Mary Queen of Scots). Gordon was killed and his son, Sir John, and other members of his family were later executed at Aberdeen. 1571, Feud with Clan Forbes, During the 15th and 16th centuries the Clan was engaged in a long and bitter struggle against the Clan Forbes. By 1571 the feud had got to the point where other clans began taking sides. The Clan Leslie, Clan Irvine and Clan Seton who had their own feuds with the Forbeses joined forces with Clan Gordon. However opponents of the Gordons such as Clan Keith, Clan Fraser and Clan Crichton joined forces with Clan Forbes. The feud culminated in two full scale battles in 1571; The Battle of Tillieangus and the Battle of Craibstone. It was at the Battle of Tillieangus that the 6th Lord Forbes's youngest son known as Black Aurther Forbes was killed. Legend has it that "he stooped down to quench his thirst and one of the Gordons gave him his death blow through an open joint in his armour". 1571, The Castle Druminnor, then Lord Forbes's seat, was itself plundered and sacked and in the same month the Gordons followed this up by the atrocious massacre of 27 Forbeses of Towie at Corgarff. Two acts of Parliament were required to force the clans to lay down their arms but the struggle had drawn the Forbeses deep into debt making it necessary for them to sell much of their land. 1594, The Clan Gordon with allies the Clan Cumming/Comyn participated in the Battle of Glenlivet in 1594.

17th Century & Civil War:

During the Civil War cavalry from the Clan Gordon fought in support of the Royalist James Graham the 1st Marquess of Montrose at the Battle of Auldearn where they helped defeat the Covenanters of Lord Seaforth who was the chief of Clan MacKenzie. The battle took place on the 9th May 1645. During the Civil War the Clan Gordon fought at the Battle of Alford in 1645. They are victorious, led by George Gordon, 2nd Marquess of Huntly fighting under James Graham the 1st Marquess of Montrose. The Marquess of Huntly's eldest son George Gordon fell at this battle. 1645, Lewis Gordon, clan chief and 3rd Marquess of Huntly of the Clan Gordon attacks and burns down Brodie Castle of the Clan Brodie. This was part of the Covenanting conflict during the Civil War 1682, A fight over cattle and land with the southern Scottish family the MacCulloch's of Myreton.

17th Century Alliances:

In the early 17th century Clan Gordon had a number of alliances by marriage or friendship. Among these was a strong bond to the Clan Burnett of Leys. The Gordon crest is emblazoned in plasterwork on the ceiling of the early 17th century great hall of Muchalls Castle built by Alexander Burnett. [edit] 18th Century & Jacobite Risings During the Jacobite Uprisings of 1715 - 1716 and 1745 - 1746 there were Gordons on both sides. The 2nd Duke of Gordon followed the Jacobites in 1715, but the 3rd Duke of Gordon supported the British government by the time of the 1745 uprising. While his brother raised two regiments against him at the Battle of Falkirk (1746) and the Battle of Culloden (1746).

Clan Graham :

Origin of name:

There is a legend that says the Roman Antonine Wall was broken by Graeme, a great Caledonian chief, as he drove the Roman legions out of his country. This, unfortunately, might never be proven. From the records available, the first Graham known in Scotland was Sir William de Graham, a knight who accompanied David I, England’s premier baron, on his journey north to claim the Scottish crown. The early history of the Grahams in Scotland is not easily understood. One theory is that there were similar names from the Celtic "Greamach" (grim) or the Saxon "Gram" (fierce). There is a tradition in Scotland that the daughter of a Gryme married a King of the Scots, Fergus II. The Celts and Saxons disappeared or were swallowed up by the descendants of "Lez Grames" of Norman origin. Some say that the original Grahams in Scotland were Picts, established long before the Normans came into Scotland. Solid information has established the Norman descent of the Grahams. The Normans were originally of Viking descent and a Graham lineage goes back into Scandinavia. Listed in the Doomsday Book of William the Conqueror is a place that was known as "Graeg Ham" in the 10th Century in England, now known as Grantham. The Normans were in Scotland in the 12th century. William De Graeme personally witnessed the signing of the charter founding the Abbey of Holyrood in 1128. From this line descended the Montrose line of Grahams, one of the most distinguished families of Scotland.

Grahams of Great Ability:

In John Stewart's book, The Grahams, he states that "Most Scottish Clans would be proud to have one great hero. The Grahams have three." He refers to Sir John Graham, James Graham, 1st Marquess of Montrose and John Graham, 1st Viscount of Dundee. There were, of course, many more besides these three towering figures. Stewart also wrote, "It is remarkable that the early Grahams were one and all exceedingly capable men. In an age when the reputation of many great public figures, alas, that of most of the Scottish nobility, were sullied by deeds of violence, and often deeds of blackest treachery, it is refreshing to find that the Grahams stand out as loyal and true to the causes they espoused. Their story is not one of rapid rise to power through royal favor, or even at the expense of their peers, but rather a gradual steady rise based on their undoubted ability and worthiness which seems to have endured from one generation to another."

Wars of Scottish Independence:

Twice the Montrose Grahams married into the royal family. From these came some notable men. First among them was Sir John Graham, right hand man to the Great William Wallace, killed during the Wars of Scottish Independence at the Battle of Falkirk in 1298. The Clan Graham also fought at the Battle of Dunbar in 1296 where Sir Patrick Graham of Kincardine was killed. The Clan Graham also fought against the English at the Battle of Durham in 1346, in support of Robert the Bruce.

Sir John Graham:

Sir John the Graham, hero of the Wars of Independence, rescued Wallace at Queensberry and was killed in 1298 at the battle of Falkirk, where his name is still perpetuated in the district of Grahamston. The grave of this hero in Falkirk churchyard is still to be seen, with table stones of three successive periods above it. As an evidence of the honour in which his memory was held, it is recalled that, after the second battle of Falkirk in 1746, when the Jacobites wished to do special honour to one of their opponents, Chief of Clan Munro, Col. Sir Robert Munro who had fallen, they opened the grave of Sir John the Graham and buried Sir Robert Munro beside the dust of the hero. Sir Robert Munro had been fighting at the front at the second battle of Falkirk, when the retreat was orderd for Government troops he was surrounded by six Jacobites, he killed at least two with his pike before being shot by a Jacobite commander. One great two-handed sword of Sir John the Graham is preserved at Buchanan Castle by the Duke of Montrose; another was long in possession of the Grahams of Orchil, and is now treasured by the Free Mason Lodge at Auchterarder.

15th Century:

The Clan Graham fought at the Battle of Sauchieburn in 1488.

16th Century & Anglo-Scottish Wars:

In 1504 Lord Graham, on account of his gallantry was made Earl of Montrose. He would go on to lead part of the Scottish Vanguard against the English at the Battle of Flodden Field in 1513, part of the Anglo-Scottish Wars where he was slain. The Clan Graham were among the clans who fought against the English at the Battle of Pinkie Cleugh 1547, where the eldest son of the second Earl, Robert, Lord Graham was slain.

Clan Grant:

Origin of name:

Little is known about the clan from before the 13th century. The earliest known members may include: Thomas Grant, merchant of the King of Scotland, who retired from his post as visor of York Castle on 2nd January, 1252 Sir Laurence le Grant, Sheriff of Inverness, who "rendered accounts to the Scottish Exchequer in 1263 and 1266 Richard le Grant, Chancellor of the diocese of Lincoln, who was consecrated Archbishop of Canterbury in 1229 William le Graunt, said by Henry III of England to have travelled to Scotland with Alexander III of Scotland Members of Clan Grant have owned land in Strathspey at least since 1316, most likely in Stratherrick, to the east of Loch Ness. In 1316, John Grant of Inverallan sold his land to John le Grant, who was father of Patrick le Grant, Lord of Stratherrick. The clan's lands in Stratherrick would later become controlled by Clan Fraser.

Scottish Wars of Independence:

During the Wars of Scottish Independence Clan Grant were supporters of William Wallace and fought at the Battle of Dunbar in 1296 where both Randolph and John de Grant were captured and imprisoned for a time. The clan later supported King Robert the Bruce and it was this support that secured their landholdings in Strathspey upon Bruce's ascent to the throne.

15th and 16th centuries:

The next available reference is of Duncan le Grant in 1434, and later, Sir Duncan Grant of Freuchie (Castle Grant), who inherited land in Dulnain valley in upper Speyside from his mother, Matilda of Glencarnie. Her family had partially owned it since 1180, when Richard I of England gave Kinveachy (approximately ten miles southwest of Castle Grant) to Gilbert, 3rd Earl of Strathearn. By the late 15th century, Clan Grant became an important clan in the Scottish Highlands. During this period, the clan's actions resulted in the murder of the Earl of Moray and the defeat of the Earl of Argyll at Glenlivet. In the 16th century, Sir James Grant of Grant, 16th Chief, led the clan to fight for Charles I of England and the Royalists. Also, an alliance between Sir James and the Earl of Huntly led to the annihilation of the Clan Farquharson.

Clan Wars:

The taking of Castle Grant, 14th century; Originally a Comyn Clan stronghold, Clan traditions tell us that the castle was taken from the Comyns by a combined force of the Grants and the MacGregors. The Grants and MacGregors stormed the castle and in the process slew the Comyn Chief - and kept the Chief's skull as a trophy of this victory. The skull of the Comyn was taken as a macabre trophy and was kept in Castle Grant and became an heirloom of the Clan. (In the late Lord Strathspey's book on the Clan, he mentions that the top of the cranium was hinged, and that he saw documents kept in it.) Clan tradition predicts grave things if the skull ever leaves the hands of the family - prophecying that the Clan would lose all of its lands in Strathspey. Battle of Glenlivet 1594; The Chief of Clan Grant orderd his men to retreat as soon as the action began. This trecherous move led to the defeat of Clan Campbell of Argyll.

Jacobite Uprisings:

Battle of Sheriffmuir 1715; Here Clan Grant fought as Jacobites against the British government in the initial early Jacobite uprisings but the Clan Grant would later side with the British government during the 1745-1746 Jacobite uprisings. The main part of Clan Grant supported the British government during the 1745 to 1746 Jacobite uprisings. A force of over 600 Grants joined Colonel Livingstone and fought against the Jacobites at the Battle of Cromdale. However the Grants of Glenmoriston sided with the Jacobites at the Battle of Culloden (1746).

Septs:

Allan Allen Bisset or Bissett Bowie Buie Gilroy MacAllan MacGilroy or McGilroy MacIlroy or McIlroy MacKerran or McKerran MacKiaran or McKiaran MacKessock or McKessock Pratt Suttie

Clan Gunn :

Battles and History:

The clan's origins stretch over the sea to Norway, and they claim descent from the legendary Sweyn Asleifsson, the so-called 'Ultimate Viking', the progenitor of the clan, and through his grandson Gunni, considered to be the "namefather" of Clan Gunn. They gained their land in Caithness and Sutherland through marriage to Ragnhild, from whom they can claim Celtic descent, and later expanded those lands through conquest. However, the Gunns were never a large clan,and soon found themselves in conflict with several more powerful neighbours, such as the MacKays and the Keiths. The clan concluded a peace treaty with the latter of these in the 1978, officially bringing to an end a feud dating back more than five hundred years. "The Battle of Champions", 1464/1478; It is recorded that the feud began when Dugald, Chieftan of the Keiths, abducted Helen of Braemore, daughter of Lachlan Gunn, when he discovered the she was betrothed to Alexander Gunn. The attack occurred on the night before the wedding, and Alexander was one of those slain by the Keiths. Helen subsequently committed suicide by throwing herself off Ackergill Castle's tower. The following conflicts between the two clans were for the most part indecisive, and losses were numerous on both sides. It is thought that the two chieftains of the clans, George Keith and George Gunn, called the Crowner, agreed to a 'battle of champions', between twelve of the best Gunns and twelve of the best Keiths. George Gunn holds the distinction of being the first of the Gunn chieftains to be definitively recorded, as he was somewhat renowned in Scotland at the time, hence his title of 'the Crowner' as well as the traditional Gunn title of 'MacSheumais Chataich'. He was more widely known, however, as 'Fear Am Braisdeach Mor', the 'great brooch-wearer', so named for the insigia he wore as his badge of office. The battle, also known as 'Allt Nan Gamnha' or 'the Battle of St. Tears' for the small chapel it took place in and around, began when the Keiths caught the Gunns unawares, with not twelve men but twenty-four. George Gunn was slain, as were a number, most probably four, of his sons. The Keiths were eventually forced to retreat, barely able to carry their own dead, but not before they had stolen the Crowner's brooch, armour and claymore. His death was later avenged, in one account by one of his sons, most probably Henry, the youngest, who together with a small number of others followed the Keiths back to Dirlot Castle, where they lay an ambush. Henry killed George Keith with through an open window with an arrow. He is reported to have shouted 'Beannachd na Guinnich do ‘n Chai', or 'A Gunn's compliments to a Keith', although translations vary. Henry supposedly recovered his father's possessions and escaped back to Gunn territory. He fell out with James, the eldest brother, who claimed that the items were his by right. Henry eventually submitted to James, but became estranged from his own clan, stating that his descendants would not carry the name of Gunn. Whilst, along with much of the Gunns' early history, there is little to back up this version of events, and it could very well be apocryphal, the Hendersons of Caithness, to this day, have limited contact with the Gunns. There were also other Hendersons in Scotland, and one family in particular, the Hendersons of Glencoe, have no connection with the Henderson branch of Clan Gunn. In another account, one hundred years after the events at St. Tears, William MacKames, grandson of George Gunn, ambushed the Keith chief, his son and ten of their retainers as they were travelling. The Keiths, fully anticipating death, asked time for prayer. William is supposed to have responded 'Your father interrupted by grandfather at prayer in God's house (St. Tears), and I will grant you no time for such devotion since it was denied to my grandfather's men.' The death of George Keith and his son, at the hands of the Gunns, extinquished the male line of Clan Keith. It was around this time a large majority of the Gunns, under James Gunn, removed from Caithness into Sutherland. "Delvines, Nairn", 1562; Clan Gunn Chief, Alistair Gunn had become a man of much note and power in the North. Not just as Chief of Clan Gunn but he had also married the daughter of John Gordon the Earl of Sutherland and because of this he himself felt entitled to hold his head high amongst the best in Scotland. However this led to his undoing when in 1562, in Inverness he bumped into Mary Queen of Scott's brother who was the Earl of Moray. Alistair Gunn believing he was of superior rank and authority behaved with some disrespect and insult to the Earl in public. The Earl soon afterwards sent the Clan Munro to capture Alistair Gunn. The Munros lead by one Andrew Munro entrapped the Gunns at a place called Delvines near Narin. The Gunn Chief was captured and taken to Inverness where the Earl of Moray had him executed "under pretence of justice". "The Battle of Allt Camhna", 1586; During this battle the Clan Gunn did not do badly considering they were fighting the Clan Sutherland, Clan MacKay and Clan Sinclair, three of the most powerful clans in Scotland. The Earls of Sutherland and Caithness including the MacKays decided to attack Clan Gunn. The Earl of Sutherlands company from Clan Sutherland was commanded by John Gordon of Backies and James MacRorie. The Earl of Caithness's company from Clan Sinclair was conducted by his cousin, Henry Sinclair. The Clan Gunn prepared for the fight and although inferior in numbers had the advantage of being on a hill. The first flight of arrows from the Caithness company fell short. The Gunn's did not and used their position to full advantage. There ensued a sharp conflict, at a place called Allt-gamhna, where Henry Sinclair was slain with 120 of his company, and the rest chased away into the darkness. John Gordon, James MacRorie and Neil MacIan-MacWilliam, who heard what happened to the Earl of Caithness's men, then pursued the Clan Gunn, and followed them to Lochbroom, in the height of Ross, to where they had escaped to. Meeting with them, they invade them at a place called Leckmelm. After a sharp skirmish, the Clan Gunn were overthrown, and chased, many of them slain, and their Captain, George, wounded and taken prisoner, whom they carried along with them unto Dunrobin, and there they deliver him unto Alexander, Earl of Sutherland. This happened in the year 1586. The Gunns had again proved themselves ferocious warriors even when faced with overwhelming odds against them. Those who did stay in the traditional boundaries were among the line descended from a younger son of George Gunn, Robert Gunn, who was the progenitor of the Rob(i)son and Robinson Gunns of Braemore, though it is not clear how these names came to pass. One theory points to the Norse and Celtic orgins of the Clan, using suffixes to denote the order of male children; with "in being second son". It is a difficult line to track as Gunn and other names of this line are used interchangeably in old text. Other branches remained as well moving to the Strath of Kildonan and other locations in Caithness. It is widely believed that a member of Clan Gunn was among the party of Henry Sinclair, a Scottish Earl whom some believe to have made a voyage to the New World in 1398, traveling to Nova Scotia and New England. This individual is believed to have perished on this expedition and is also known as the Westford Knight. Often, it is claimed that the knight is Sir James Gunn, who reportedly traveled with Sinclair. There is no documentary evidence to support this theory. The most notable of the Gunns after the differentiation of the Clan was Sir William Gunn, who fought under Charles I, and was knighted by him. After Charles' cause failed, William crossed to Europe, and served in the army of the Holy Roman Empire, became an imperial general and married a German baroness. Much of the clan, however, had to forfeit their lands due to debt at about this time. The Gunns of Killearnan were fortunate enough to obtain new land at Badenloch.

Jacobite Uprisings:

Unlike some highland clans, the Gunns did not rise under the standard of the Stuarts during the Jacobite rebellions, and indeed supported the government in the conflict of 1745 along with other highland clans such as Clan Munro, Clan Campbell, Clan MacKay, Clan Sutherland and Clan Ross. The Clan Gunn came out for the government, led by the MacKeamish. There were about 120 men under arms. They were attached to the Earl of Loudon's regiment. The Clan Gunn did not fight at Culloden however a few Gunns, who were with the Jacobites at the Battle of Culloden and elsewhere, were captured and transported after the rebellion ended.

18th and 19th Centuries:

The eighth MacKeamish, who was William Gunn, son of Alexander of Badenloch, was killed fighting in India in 1780. Upon his death the chiefship passed to his brother, Morrison Gunn, the ninth MacKeamish, who was also serving with the British army. Unfortunately Morrison died in Gibraltar in 1785 before he could assume the office of chief in any meaningful way. Both these chiefs died without issue, resulting in the extinction of the direct male line of Donald Crotaich, the sixth MacKeamish. Some confusion was created in 1803 when the Countess of Sutherland, on whose lands the remnants of the clan resided at the time, decided that the heir to the chiefship should be found. A sheriff’s court was held on May 31st, 1803 in Thurso to hear arguments from various claimants. The jury at this court finally decided that Hector Gunn, great grandson of George Gunn of Borrobol, the brother of the sixth MacKeamish, was heir male, which he was. However they then proceeded to declare him chief of the clan, which they had no authority to do, as this decision can only be made by the Lyon Court, which was not consulted in the matter. Hector died almost immediately afterward. Hector’s son, George, was a protégé of the Countess, who had purchased a commission for him in the Royal Marines. In 1814, George was declared chief by someone, nobody seems completely sure who, but it was not the Lyon Court. It is probable that he simply assumed the role of chief due to the erroneous belief that his father was chief. It is doubtful that George Gunn of Rhives, Rhives being the estate given to him by the Countess, who hired him as her factor at Assynt, was ever accepted as chief by many of the clan. The end of the clan system in 1746 had removed most feelings of loyalty and even kinship to the chief amongst the Highland clans and the clearances (forced removal from their lands) had created bitterness toward anyone in authority. Gunn of Rhives died in 1859 and his two sons not long after. The simple fact is that neither Hector nor George were legally chief of the clan because they were not declared so by the Lyon Court. However, the story of their appointments to be chief has crept into several authoritative works without a nod toward the legality of it. In legal and genealogical terms, the office of chief of the Clan Gunn became vacant with the death of Morrison Gunn in 1785 and remains vacant today, although the heir, through the female line, has been identified as stated above. The clan is currently ably led by an appointed Commander, Iain Alexander Gunn Of Banniskirk. Today, the Gunns are a widespread family with roots at home, Canada, the US, Australia, and around the globe. This is attributed to the diaspora that took place during the Highland Clearances in Caithness and Sutherland. If you visit today you can see the old crofts that were burned at this time. Efforts have been made to reunite the Clan with societies in North America, New Zealand, Australia and Scotland. A museum of the Clan's history has also been established at Latheron in Caithness.

Septs:

Anderson, (Mac)Andrew(s) Cro(w)ner, Cruner, Kroner George(son), MacGeorge Henderson(s), Henry, Inrig, (Mac)Enrick(s) Jam(i)eson, James Johnson, Jonsson MacComas, MacKeasmish MacDade, MacDavid, Davidson (Mac)Kean(e) Magnus(son), (Mac)Manus, (Mac)Main(s), Manson More Ne(i)lson, (Mac)Neal Rob(i)son, Robinson Swan(son), Swenson, Svenson, Sveinsson Swann(ey) William(s), Williamson, (Some Wilsons)*Wyl(l)ie

Clan Guthrie :

Origin of name:

The name Guthrie almost certainly derives from the barony of the same name near Forfar. Other theories are that it is a corruption of Guthram, which was the name of a Scandinavian Princess.

Clan History:

The first of the name Guthrie on record in Scotland was one Squire Guthrie who appears in 1299. He had been sent to France to request the return of William Wallace, who had retired there having resigned the guardianship of Scotland. He was successful as William Wallace did indeed return to Scotland. The Guthries of Guthrie received their estates by a charter from King David II of Scotland between the years 1329 and 1371. In 1457 Sir David Guthrie of Guthrie was Armour- Bearer to King James III of Scotland and the Sheriff of Forfar; he became Lord Treasurer of Scotland in 1461 and continued in this office until 1467 when he was appointed Comptroller of the Exchequer. In 1468 he obtained a warrant under the Great Seal to build Guthrie Castle near Friockheim in Angus, which remains standing to this day. The Guthries were religious leaders in the time of Martin Luther. They were also supporters of Presbyterianism against the Roman Catholic church and were ready to back up their beliefs with their lives. In 1640 the position of Bishop of Moray was held by a Guthrie at the fortified seat of Spynie Palace. However during the year of 1640 the palace was laid siege to by George Munro of Clan Munro and Bishop Guthrie was forced to surrender.