The Sites of Clan MacMillan

Clan MacMillan have owned an impressive number of grand homes over the years and signs of their influence can still be seen in the landscape of their territories. We find that exploring a clan’s ancestral land is one of the best ways to immerse yourself in their history, so come with us as we dive into the MacMillans' fascinating past.

One admirable trait of this mighty family is their link to one of the oldest stone castles in Scotland! Castle Sween now stands in ruins on a low ridge overlooking Loch Sween, but it is still an impressive sight. It is thought to have been built all the way back in the late 11th century by the brother of the king of Ulster and High King of Ireland. 

Over the following centuries, the castle passed hands between various families, from the MacSweens, to the Stewarts, to the Menteiths, but it is particularly linked to Clan MacMillan, and is popularly considered their ancestral seat. 

Castle Sween by Maclam2 / Raven1977

The MacMillans even made one of the most significant architectural additions to the site when they added a large keep which projects from the north-east corner of the castle and is now known as ‘MacMillan’s Tower.’ Its main feature was the water supply to the kitchen. 

It is unclear when exactly Sween Castle was abandoned, but when it was visited by the authors of ‘a definitive guide to castles’ in 1892, they found it to be heavily overgrown and eerily quiet. In 1933 it was put under the care of the Historic Building and Monuments Directorate, and it currently belongs to Historic Scotland. 

If you are looking for a way to connect with your MacMillan ancestors, we would highly recommend a visit to this striking stronghold. You can walk through the old courtyards and imagine your forebearers going about their everyday lives, forging bonds, watching for enemies, and above all serving their chief and clan kin.

If you are in the area, make sure not to miss the nearby Kilmory Knap Chapel, which is equally rich with MacMillan history. 

Kilmory Knap Chapel is a classic Highland church, which is believed to have been built in the 1200s, though it seems there was also an earlier religious site in the same spot. One of the most notable elements of the current-day remains are the West Highland grave-slabs, which date between the 1300s and 1500s, and many of which commemorate members of Clan MacMillan. These stunning stones are distinctive examples of early Christian and medieval stone carving in Scotland and feature intricate designs which blend religious symbols with images from everyday life. The motifs used include swords, crosses, galleys, animals, combs, mirrors, and tools of trade, while some of the slabs also display figures that are believed to represent important local figures, such as significant members of the clergy. 

Kilmory Knap Chapel by Otter

While these monuments are a fascinating element of the site, we would say the standout feature of Knap Chapel is MacMillan’s Cross, which was erected in the 1400s for Alexander MacMillan, at the time the keeper of Castle Sween for the Lords of the Isles. 

It stands at almost 3 metres high and is richly decorated, depicting an unsheathed sword, a hunting scene in which 3 hounds attack a stag, the crucified Christ with St John and the Virgin Mary, and a small leaping animal biting its own tail. 

It stood in its original site at the northwest of the churchyard until 1981 and can now be found displayed inside the chapel.

Let us know if you visit to see this stunning monument to the MacMillan family! We’d love to know which element of the intricate design most catches your eye. 

Our final MacMillan spot for today is the current clan seat, the great Finlaystone House, which has had a long and winding history full of powerful names and influential families.

In the late 1300s, King Robert II granted the lands at Finlaystone to Sir John de Dennistoun. Sir John was then succeeded by his son, Robert, who himself passed Finlaystone on to his daughter, Margaret. In 1405, Margaret married Sir William Cunningham, therefore passing the house and lands over to the Cunningham Clan, who held on to the territory for hundreds of years. 

They worked continually on modernising and improving Finlaystone, keen to keep up appearances as a strong and admirable family. They even hired renowned architect John Douglas to redesign the house in the 1700s, incorporating elements of the traditional old castle. 

The Cunninghams finally parted with Finlaystone in 1862, when they sold the land to Sir David Carrick-Buchanan, who then sold it to George Jardine Kidston. Kidston also had an eye for design, and commissioned John James Burnet to remodel the house in the popular Scots Baronial style, which was completed in 1903.  

Finlaystone House by Akerbeltz

In 1929, Kidston’s daughter Marion married Gordon Holmes Alexander MacMillan, who became the Chief of Clan MacMillan in 1952. Their son, and the current clan chief, George Gordon MacMillan inherited Finlaystone from his parents and lives there to this day. The estate has been open for the public to visit since 1975, and has become an extremely popular attraction, complete with stunning scenery, play areas, a café, a shop, and even ranger-led activities that aim to promote an appreciation and understanding of the natural world.

George is dedicated to the clan’s seat and spends a lot of time caring for the gardens and surrounding woodlands. He also maintains a Clan Centre on the site which is full of fascinating MacMillan documents and artefacts. He is always happy to show any visiting kin around the estate, so make sure to get in contact if you plan to make a trip!

That brings us to the end of today’s blog. We hope you have enjoyed exploring a few Clan MacMillan sites and perhaps feel a bit closer to your mighty ancestors. 

Please do get in touch if you have been to, or plan to go to, Castle Sween, Kilmory Knap Chapel, or Finlaystone House. We’d love to hear about your experiences. 

 

If you’d like to learn more about the MacMillans, head over to our Clan MacMillan page and keep an eye out for the rest of our content over February, as we will be focusing on this fascinating family for the whole month! 

Image Sources:

Castle Sween By The original uploader was Malcam2 at English Wikipedia. - Transferred from en.wikipedia to Commons by Raven1977 using CommonsHelper., CC BY-SA 2.5

Kilmory Knap Chapel, Argyll and Bute, Scotland - exterior By Otter - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0

View of Finlaystone House and grounds seen from the western end By Akerbeltz - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0