Clan MacLaren has numerous impressive and influential members. With almost a thousand years of history to choose from, it was difficult picking just a few famous MacLarens to feature here! However, we’re confident the tales of those who made the cut will intrigue, enthral, and make you even more drawn to this legendary Clan.
Donald MacLaren of MacLaren and Achleskine
It seems fitting to start with the man who revived Clan MacLaren in the twentieth century, after a tumultuous and rocky past. To help you appreciate the significance of this, we’ll first have to give you a little backstory.
Clan MacLaren was extremely influential until the sixteenth century; they claimed control over Balquhidder in the ninth century and settled there for hundreds of years, until 1558, when they encountered a grave and unsurmountable threat to their existence. Following a campaign of pressure from the Campbells, Clan MacGregor launched a crusade against the MacLarens, raiding numerous homes and murdering countless Clan members, including the Chief. This allowed the MacGregors to take possession of MacLaren territories.
Finding themselves suddenly without a Chief or lands, Clan MacLaren was unable to produce a legal title to their ancestral homelands. This made them formally 'chiefless and landless'. While this was surely a bitter defeat, in some ways it also reflected the great nobility and dignity of the Clan.
The MacLarens appealed to the Campbells for help after this savage attack, but the Campbells would only agree to help if the MacLarens would acknowledge them as the superior Clan. The MacLarens refused to allow this final humiliation, and so lost their lands to the MacGregors, but arguably maintained their dignity and pride.
From this point onwards, the Clan fought for the Scottish crown and supported the Jacobites until the devastating Battle of Culloden. Their fortunes remained mixed until the twentieth century, when their status was finally firmly re-established.
In 1957, the Clan's status of 'chiefless and landless' was reversed when Donald MacLaren of MacLaren and Achleskine successfully matriculated his Arms at the Lyon Court and purchased land in the traditional territory of Balquhidder. Creag an Tuirc or 'The Boar's Rock', the traditional MacLaren rallying point, was part of that land and remains an important landmark today.
A few years later, Donald established the Clan MacLaren Society to support the Clan's interests and help bring together members from across the globe.
Following his death in 1966, Donald MacLaren was succeeded by his son of the same name, Donald MacLaren, who is the current Clan Chief. Donald went to schools in Oxford and Perthshire, where he learned to play the pipes, and later attended the University of Edinburgh, where he took a MA Hons. degree in Classics and English and played rugby for the combined Scottish Universities XV.
He joined the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in 1978, and held postings in Berlin, Moscow, Havana, Caracas and Kiev. He also served in Tbilisi, Georgia as Her Majesty's Ambassador.
Donald married Maida Jane Aitchison in 1978. They have three sons and two daughters (Donald, Florian, Louis, Iona and Marina) and a grand daughter (Anna). Their eldest son, Donald, has served with the British army in Iraq and, as a Royal Marines Commando, in Afghanistan.
Now retired from the Diplomatic Service, the Chief lives in Balquhidder with his wife, Maida, in the heart of ancient MacLaren territory. It seems deeply poignant that the Clan has overcome such a challenging and turbulent history, and now have a Chief living in their traditional lands. It goes to show that the MacLaren’s resilient and powerful reputation is undeniably deserved!
As well as being tenacious and prevailing, the MacLarens are also industrious! Did you know the MacLaren Clan played a key role in the development of The Scout Association? The Scouts aim to foster fun, adventure and skills for life and give young people the opportunity to enjoy new adventures, while experiencing the outdoors. We can see the Clan connection here clearly!
Major Kenneth MacLaren
The Scout Association was formed in 1908, with Major Kenneth MacLaren as first secretary. Kenneth was the son of H. McLaren, of The Chalet, Tighnabruaich, Argyllshire and was educated at Harrow and Sandhurst. Before working for The Scouts, MacLaren had an illustrious military career; he was posted to India and later South Africa, where he was gravely wounded at the Siege of Mafeking in March 1900, and taken prisoner by the Boers.
He was created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order (DSO) in November 1900. He also played polo throughout his military service, and was even an umpire of one of the two matches in the 1908 London Olympics!
A few years after the Scout Association was formed, it was decided that they needed a base where they could train the leaders. This is where another notable MacLaren joins the story. William F. de Bois MacLaren, who was a Scout Commissioner from Glasgow, heard of the need for new grounds, and generously purchased a derelict estate an hour outside of London, named Gilwell Park.
Once the estate was officially opened, the staff members wore MacLaren Modern neckerchiefs to honour William’s kind gift and great influence in the continued popularity of The Scouting Association. By the mid 1920's the neckerchiefs featured a strip of MacLaren Modern tartan and were adopted as part of the official uniform of the Scouts. They are still worn by Scouts today in over 120 countries around the world! The connection the scouts have to Clan MacLaren is so strong that any scout who completes their Wood Badge is entitled to join the Clan Society as an associate member.
It’s inspiring to hear how the MacLaren generosity has contributed to so many happy childhood memories!
Mary MacLaren
Other notable MacLarens have taken slightly more glamourous paths in life.
Mary MacLaren (19 January, 1900 – 9 November, 1985) was an American actress who appeared in more than 170 films between 1916 and 1949. She was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, but moved to New York City with her mother, Lillian, and two sisters, in 1913. Mary found almost immediate success in entertainment, beginning her stage career in the Winter Garden with Al Jolson in The Passing Show of 1914 and Dancing Around.
She launched her screen career in 1916 with Shoes and continued to land notable roles consistently in the following decades.
It seems that she inherited some key MacLaren traits, as she was renowned for her physical strength and abilities, being an accomplished swimmer and tennis player.
Perhaps even more striking, however, is her perseverance and resilience. While many actors of the silent era faded into irrelevance once ‘talkies’ hit the film industry, Mary successfully transitioned into sound productions and continued to perform periodically in films throughout the 1930s and into the early 1940s.
Mary’s determination calls back to Douglas MacLaren’s resolve to reinstate Clan MacLaren officially, even after years of struggle without lands or a Chief.
Alan James MacLaren
The MacLarens have also gained success in sport, with one example being Alan James Maclaren. Alan was born in Edinburgh in 1971 and went on to become a highly skilled, professional footballer. He started his career with Heart of Midlothian in 1987 and played in over 180 matches with the club. In 1994, he moved to Rangers as part of a £2 million deal! He quickly proved that he had been worth the high price, helping to beat Celtic 3-1 in his debut match. Sadly, he was forced to retire from football in 1998, aged just 27, due to an injury. He went out on a high note, however, playing as captain in his final appearance with the team, beating Dundee United 1-0 and helping Rangers secure their ninth title in a row.
Bruce McLaren
Another sporting legend you may have heard of is Bruce McLaren, a racing car driver and designer from New Zealand. Bruce’s parents, Les and Ruth McLaren, ran a service station, so young Bruce grew up surrounded by cars and mechanics. He entered his first racing competition in 1952, aged only 14, and by the mid-50s was racing on the Cooper team. He won numerous Grand Prix titles with Cooper, and his career blossomed. His real legacy was born when he founded Bruce McLaren Racing in 1963 and began producing his own F1 race cars. In 1965, he resigned from the Cooper Team and formed the iconic F1 McLaren racing team. To this day, he is admired for his innovative and aesthetic designs, and impact on the world of Formula 1 racing.
Andrew MacLaren
The MacLarens have also made a name for themselves in politics. Andrew MacLaren was born in Glasgow in 1883. As he grew up, he found himself deeply troubled by the poverty and deprivation he observed around him. He was determined to make a difference, so in 1914 he moved to London and joined the Labour Party. He served as an MP for Burslem in 1922-3, 1924-31, and 1935-45, and often travelled around the most disadvantaged parts of the country to raise awareness in government of the hardship suffered by many. He was also a talented painter; one of his portraits of Neville Chamberlain can be seen in The National Portrait Gallery!
It seems that the MacLarens are not a Clan to be underestimated! If you are lucky enough to have MacLaren blood, we hope you feel inspired reading about just some of the achievements of your peers. Is there anyone else you think we should have mentioned? If so, please get in touch and let us know! If you’d like to learn more about this impressive Clan, keep an eye out for our upcoming MacLaren Blogs, and check out the MacLaren Clan Page.
