Published in Scotland Magazine Issue 40 on 15/08/2008.

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The clan Buchanan

James Irvine Robertson looks at the history of another of Scotland's families.

The history of the Buchanans is untypical. The litany of bloody, often pointless, feuds with neighbours is largely absent. The glory of the clan does not derive from the sharpness of its swords, although these were flourished to great effect in the early days, but from intellectual, charitable and spiritual distinction.

Carve through the traditional mythical origins of the clan and one finds a charter of 1225 of the island of Clarinch in the south east corner of Loch Lomond.

This was granted by the Earl of Lennox to Absalon, son of Macbeth for the payment of a pound of wax every Christmas. Absalon was already a knight – Sir Absalon of Buchanan, from his lands on the loch shore and the name means ‘House of the Canon.’ This indicates that he probably descends from one of the leading families of the ancient Celtic Church.

‘Clarinch!’ became the battle cry of the clan.

During the Scottish Wars of Independence, Maurice, the chief, was one of the very few members of the Scots nobility who did not sign the Ragman Roll swearing fealty to Edward I of England. He was a stout supporter of Robert Bruce and gave the king sanctuary after the Battle of Dalrigh in 1305.

Acentury later, Sir Alexander Buchanan led a contingent from the clan to France to fight against the English, flush after their victory at Agincourt. At the Battle of Beaugé in 1421, he is said to have encountered the Duke of Clarence, the English king’s brother and commander of his army. Sir Alexander pierced him in the.....

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By James Irvine Robertson

Section : Scottish Clans

Page number : 52