Clan Urquhart:
Origins of the Name:
The name Urquhart is believed to be of gaelic origin. It has been translated as "by a rowan wood" and "fort on a knoll". The Urquhart family derive their name from the district of Urquhart which can be found in the old locality of Cromarty, on the north side of the Great Glen.
15th Century:
Wiland Chisholm of Clan Chisholm and Sir Alexander MacDonald of Glengarry were with Sir Donald MacDonald of Lochalsh on his return from the Battle of Flodden Field when he decided to invade the Clan Urquhart. Some sources say that Macdonald occupied Urquhart Castle for three years despite the efforts of Clan Grant to dislodge them.
16th Century & Anglo Scottish Wars:
During the Anglo-Scottish Wars the Clan Urquhart fought at the Battle of Pinkie Cleugh in 1547.
17th Century & Civil War:
Inverness 1649, During the Civil War the Clan Munro and Clan Fraser again took Inverness Castle. This time they were also joined by Clan Urquhart and Clan MacKenzie who they had recently made peace with. They were all opposed to the authority of the current parliament. They assaulted the town and took the castle. They then expelled the garrison and raised the fortifications. However on the approach of the parliamentry forces led by General Leslie all of the clans retreated back into Ross-shire. During the year several skirmishes took place between these parties. The Clan Urquhart fought at the Battle of Worcester in 1651 where the Chief Sir Thomas Urquhart was taken prisoner. During his captivity at the Tower of London he published several books. In 1662 he returned to Scotland on parole to find that his estate had been ruined and pilaged. |
