MacLaine of Lochbuie

Gaelic Name: MacGhille Eoin

Clan Crest: A branch of laurel and a branch of cypress in saltire surmounted of a battle axe in pale, all Proper

Clan Motto: Vincere vel mori (To conquer or die)

Origin of Name: Gaelic, ‘Son of the servant of John’

Clan Badge: Blackberry

Lands: Lochbuie

Clan Chief: Lorne MacLaine of Lochbuie

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MacLaine Clan History

The MacLean clan possessed extensive lands on Mull, descended from the royal house of Lorn through Gillean of the Battle-Axe.

The Lochbuie branch is descended from Hector, Lachlan's brother, who founded the Duart branch of the MacLeans. In the mid-fourteenth century, the brothers received their estates from John of Islay, 1st Lord of the Isles. Lochbuie's lands were later confirmed in a charter from James IV to John Og MacLaine.

The two branches of the family could not coexist peacefully, and John Og, along with two of his sons, were killed as a result of a feud with the MacLeans of Duart. Murdoch, his only surviving son at the time, was transported to Ireland for safety. When he reached manhood, he returned and recaptured Lochbuie Castle with the help of a childhood nurse who recognized him.

The current president is descended from this Murdoch.

The Franciscan missionary Cornelius Ward converted the MacLaines of Lochbuie to Catholicism, and they were staunch supporters of the Stewart monarchy, with 300 clansmen fighting at the Battle of Killiecrankie.

The family estates were in debt by the nineteenth century, but the 21st chief of Lochbuie amassed a fortune in the Far East and used it to save the estate. Unfortunately, the estates of Lochbuie were seized by an English bondsman.

MacLaine Places & People

People of Clan MacLean

Lachlan MacLean died in 1523.

He marooned his wife on tidal rock on the Sound of Mull and left her to die, becoming a famous clan chief and historical figure.

Sir Hector MacLean (d.1750).

In 1716, he was given a Jacobite peerage and exiled to France, where he became the first Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Freemasons in Paris.

MacLean, Sorley

Sorley MacLean (born 1911 – died 1996)

Born on Raasay, he rose to prominence as a significant Gaelic poet who dominated the Scottish poetry scene for more than a quarter-century. He is probably best known for his 1943 collection "Dain do Eimhir."

Don McLean was born in 1945.

An American singer, instrumentalist, and composer best known for writing the pop classic "American Pie."

MacLaine Tartans

MacLaine of Lochbuie

MacLaine of Lochbuie Hunting

MacLaine Crest & Coats of Arms

Clan MacLaine Crest

Crest Description: A laurel and cypress branch in saltire surmounted by a battle axe in pale, all Proper.

Coats of Arms of MacLaine

A word about Coats of Arms:

A coat of arms is granted to an individual under Scottish heraldic law (with the exception of civic or corporate arms). A 'family coat of arms' does not exist. With the exceptions noted above, the arms depicted below are personal arms. Only the person who has been granted these weapons has the right to use them.

Lochbuie's MacLAINE

Quarterly: Or, a lymphad, sails furled, oars in saltire, Sable, flagged, Gules, and in base, Vert, a salmon, naiant, Proper; 3rd Or, a dexter hand, fessways, coupled, Gules, holding a cross crosslet fitcée, Azure; 4th Azure, a tower, embattled, Argent, masoned, Sable.

Arms of McLean of Coll

These are the personal arms of the Chief and should not be displayed by a clansman. They were last matriculated by Alexander McLean of Coll in 1802. Only a Chief may use supporters (in this case, the hound and ostrich). Only Duart, Lochbuie, and Coll are members of Clan Gillean.

Anyone attempting to claim the position of Chief of Coll must matriculate these arms and demonstrate to the Lord Lyon of Scotland that he is the closest in lineal descent to the last Chief of Coll.