Mar Tribe Clan Collection

I. Introduction

In the rugged expanse of Scotland’s historical narrative, the Mar Tribe Clan emerges as a profound symbol of resilience, nobility, and enduring legacy. Rooted in the ancient province of Mar in Aberdeenshire, this storied lineage traces its origins to the dawn of Scotland’s medieval era. Known officially as the Tribe of Mar, this Lowland Scottish clan has woven a rich tapestry of influence through centuries of political upheaval, military valor, and cultural evolution, leaving an indelible imprint on the nation’s heritage.

II. Origins of the Mar Tribe Clan

The name "Mar" derives from the territorial expanse of Aberdeenshire, nestled between the Rivers Dee and Don, a region that formed one of Scotland’s seven ancient provinces or mormaerdoms. The term "mormaer," a Pictish title akin to an earl, underscores the clan’s deep antiquity. The earliest recorded mention of a ruler of Mar appears in a charter of 1114, where Rothri (or Ruadri), Mormaer of Mar, is named during the establishment of Scone Abbey. This document marks the earldom of Mar as one of Scotland’s most ancient noble titles, a distinction that would shape the clan’s identity for generations.

The Mar Tribe’s origins are territorial rather than familial in the traditional Highland clan sense, earning it the designation of a "tribe" rather than a clan in some historical contexts. This distinction reflects its governance over a broad swath of land under a succession of powerful earls, whose authority rivaled that of kings in Scotland’s formative years.

III. Historical Evolution of the Mar Tribe Clan

A. Medieval Foundations

The Mar Tribe’s medieval roots are steeped in the political and military currents of early Scotland. By the 12th century, the earls of Mar were prominent figures, with William, 5th Earl of Mar, serving as Great Chamberlain of Scotland and Regent in 1264. His son, Donald, 6th Earl, further solidified the clan’s standing by witnessing the marriage contract between Princess Margaret of Scotland and King Eric of Norway in 1281. This alliance positioned the Mars at the heart of Scotland’s royal orbit, a connection deepened when Donald’s daughter, Isabel, became the first wife of Robert the Bruce, cementing their loyalty to the Bruce claim during the Wars of Independence.

B. Religious and Political Turbulence

The Mar Tribe’s history intertwines with Scotland’s shifting religious and political tides. The earls of Mar consistently navigated the treacherous waters of succession crises and civil strife. After the death of Donald II, 8th Earl, in 1332—killed during a nighttime ambush by Edward Balliol’s forces while serving as Regent—the title passed through female lines, first to Margaret, then to her daughter Isabel Douglas. This succession sparked disputes, leading to the earldom’s annexation by James II in the 15th century. Yet, the title was restored in 1565 by Mary Queen of Scots to Sir John Erskine, 18th Earl, marking a resurgence of Mar influence.

The clan’s loyalty wavered during the 17th century. While they initially supported Charles I during the Civil Wars, their estates were confiscated after the Battle of Kilsyth in 1645. Restoration came with Charles II in 1660, and the 22nd Earl later raised the Royal Scots Fusiliers in 1679, a testament to their enduring military legacy. However, the 23rd Earl, John Erskine, shifted allegiance to the Jacobite cause, earning the title Duke of Mar from the exiled Old Pretender in 1715—an honor that reflected both ambition and the clan’s entanglement in Scotland’s fractious politics.

C. Expansion and Adaptation

From their Aberdeenshire heartland, the Mar Tribe’s influence stretched across Scotland. Kildrummy Castle, their historic seat built in the 13th century, stood as a formidable stronghold until its abandonment after the 1715 Jacobite Rising. The clan’s adaptability is evident in their transition from territorial rulers to key players in national governance, with figures like the 19th Earl serving as Lord Treasurer from 1616 to 1630, and the 21st Earl as Chancellor of Scotland.

IV. Clan Crest and Motto

A. Crest Symbolism

The Mar Tribe’s crest features a chapeau gules furred ermine, atop which rest two wings, each adorned with ten pen feathers, blazoned azure with a bend between six cross crosslets fitchée or. The chapeau signifies the chief’s status as a peer—an earl—while the wings evoke swiftness and protection. The azure hue symbolizes truth and loyalty, qualities the Mars upheld through centuries of service and strife.

B. Clan Motto

The motto "Pans Plus" French for "Think More", encapsulates the clan’s intellectual and strategic depth. It suggests a reflective, deliberate approach to leadership, a trait that guided the earls of Mar through Scotland’s complex feudal landscape.

V. Clan Tartan

As a tribe rather than a conventional clan, the Mar Tribe lacks a universally recognized tartan of its own. Historically, some associated the Mars with the Erskine tartans due to the earldom’s later passage to the Erskine family. However, with Margaret of Mar, the current Countess and chief, officially recognized as leader of the Tribe of Mar, it is considered inappropriate to adopt Erskine designs. Instead, members may wear regional tartans from Aberdeenshire, reflecting their ancestral lands’ heritage.

VI. Prominent Figures of the Mar Tribe Clan

A. Isabel of Mar (c. 1277–1296)

Isabel, daughter of Donald, 6th Earl, married Robert the Bruce, linking the Mar Tribe to Scotland’s most iconic king. Though her life was brief, her union produced Marjory Bruce, mother of the Stewart dynasty, ensuring the Mars’ enduring royal legacy.

B. John Erskine, 23rd Earl of Mar (1675–1732)

Known as "Bobbing John" for his shifting allegiances, this earl led the 1715 Jacobite Rising, earning the title Duke of Mar from James Stuart. His leadership at the Battle of Sheriffmuir, though indecisive, underscored the clan’s martial prowess and political ambition, even as it led to his exile.

VII. Conclusion

The Mar Tribe Clan’s journey through Scotland’s history is a saga of ancient roots, noble ambition, and steadfast resilience. From the mormaers of Aberdeenshire to the earls who shaped Scotland’s destiny, their legacy endures as a cornerstone of the nation’s past. Today, under the stewardship of Margaret of Mar, Countess, the tribe remains a proud emblem of Scotland’s intricate heritage, its story a vivid thread in the broader weave of Scottish identity.