The Clans of Loch Lomond

Rossdhu House, near Luss

The Clans of Loch Lomond & The Trossachs

The Scottish Highlands, which begin at Loch Lomond & The Trossachs, were once a very different society, where land tenure was closely linked to kinship and loyalty. Members of the clan had an allegiance to their chief, a kind of mutual protection whereby the clan folk lived securely in their territories but would unswervingly answer the chief’s call to arms if it came. 

A clan’s wealth was measured in cattle (as a means of seeing them through the harsh Highland winters). Many of the clans around Loch Lomond and The Trossachs were within easy reach of the prosperous farms of the Lowlands and had a reputation as cattle thieves. At the very least, they had expertise in cattle droving or protecting cattle from other marauding clans. The most famous drover, dealer and protection operator was, of course, Rob Roy Macgregor.

Pictured above is Rossdhu House on the banks of Loch Lomond just south of Luss, now the home to Loch Lomond Golf Club but has long associations with Colquhoun Clan.

Here is a brief history of some of the Loch Lomond & The Trossachs Clans.

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Kilmun

Clan Campbell

The Campbells were the most powerful clan in Scotland, with many branches, holding a significant swathe of land across and beyond the top end of today’s National Park. The traditional burial place of the Campbell chiefs is at Kilmun.

Clan Colquhoun

This old-established family in Dumbartonshire had extensive landholdings around Loch Lomond. One famous historical event connected with them is the Battle of Glen Fruin in the winter of 1602-3. Accounts vary, but the episode started when two Macgregors, travelling back to their lands near Inversnaid, were refused accommodation by the local Colquhouns near Luss.

They then killed and ate a Colquhoun sheep. For this, they were subsequently hanged, some say, after having payment for their ‘dinner’ turned down.

Later, Sir James Colquhoun, 25th of Luss, was one of the earliest officers in the famous regiment, the Black Watch. He went on to form the town of Helensburgh, named after his wife, Lady Helen Colquhoun.

Helensburgh Sea Front

Clan Macnab

The Macnabs were a considerable force in the Southern Highlands. They sided against Robert the Bruce (King Robert I) in the Scots Wars of Independence and, consequently, had their lands ravaged. The clan’s chief memorial is the small island on River Dochart in Killin.

Clan Graham

Buchanan House and its successor, Buchanan Castle, became the clan seat. The 4th Marquess acquired the title Duke of Montrose in 1707 for his part in promoting the Union with England.

The seat of the Clan Graham is still Buchanan Castle, dating from 1854 and built by the 4th Duke of Montrose. The castle became a hospital in World War II – its most famous occupant being the Nazi Rudolf Hess, who was taken there after his mysterious flight to Scotland. After that, the roof was removed, and the building fell into disrepair.

Clan MacNab Burial Site, Killin

Clan Gregor

Over time Clan Gregor lost much of their land to the mighty Clan Campbell. Gradually, they became notorious cattle raiders, surviving by preying on their neighbours. Finally, they were outlawed after the 1603 Battle of Glen Fruin (against the Colquhouns). Even the clan name was banned.

Clan Buchanan

Giving their name to the parish in the southeast part of Loch Lomond, the Buchanans gradually dispersed. However, in 1725, a society was set up and known as ‘The Buchanan’s Charity, kept at Glasgow’ This, in turn, evolved into the Buchanan Society, claiming to be the oldest society of its kind – and is still active. The Loch Lomond Island Clairinch – which gave the clan their battle cry or slogan, ‘Clar Innis’ - was acquired by Clan Buchanan in 1934.

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Clan GalbrAITH

The clan is associated with Inchgalbraith, an island on Loch Lomond near Luss, one of their early strongholds.

Clan Macfarlane

This clan is primarily associated with the landscapes beyond Luss on Loch Lomond and the northwest around Glen Sloy. In medieval Scotland, Inveruglas was the headquarters of the chiefs of the clan, where their ruined stronghold can still be seen on an island in the bay.

Inveruglas Isle

Book a trip to Loch Lomond & the Trossachs or beyond.

Thanks for reading

Words and photography by Paul Saunders. Visit Paul’s Marketing and Photography websites for details of his services in Scotland.

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