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One of the best ways to discover a clan is to explore sites that hold significance to them. The Learned Kindred of Currie are a talented and greatly intriguing family who have made their mark on Scotland, so it wasn’t hard finding some fascinating spots to discover! So let's take a closer look at the sites of the Learned Kindred of Currie.
Discover the Sites of the Learned Kindred of Currie
Lochranza Distillery
The first Learned Kindred of Currie site we’d like to introduce you to is a prestigious distillery located in the picturesque village of Lochranza on the northern top of the Isle of Arran, surrounded by dramatic hills, rugged coastline, and beautiful countryside. The distillery was established by Harold Currie and represents an exciting modern chapter in Arran’s long history of whisky making.
Currie served in the Second World War before gaining extensive experience in the Scotch whisky industry. He was passionate about the idea of creating a distillery that would celebrate Scotland’s natural resources and started realising this dream in the early 1990s. He consulted research from the University of Glasgow’s geology department and the laboratories of Tatlock and Thomson to locate the purest water possible and settled on Arran’s Loch Na Davie.
The loch is about 1,117 feet above sea level and surrounded by acres of nature. Perched under the wide rural skies, it catches fresh rainwater as it falls, and from there, the water cascades down Easan Biorach Burn through six granite waterfalls. As it washes over the granite and flows through the hills, it purifies and filters until it reaches Lochranza distillery, free from pollutants and enriched by Arran’s stunning environment.
With the support of architect David Hutchison and a group of investors, construction began on 16 December 1994. Production commenced in June 1995, and the distillery was officially opened by the late Queen Elizabeth II in 1997. Today, Lochranza Distillery produces Arran Single Malt Scotch Whisky, celebrated for its distinctive character and connection to the island. Visitors can discover the traditional processes involved in whisky production, explore the visitor centre and enjoy guided tastings.
South Uist
Our second site for today is South Uist, which holds a special place in the Learned Kindred of Currie’s heritage. This beautiful island in Scotland’s Outer Hebrides, with sweeping beaches and rugged hills, was once home to generations of MacMhuirich bards. The MacMhuirichs were among the most distinguished, learned families in Gaelic Scotland. They served as hereditary poets, historians and genealogists to powerful noble families, including the Lords of the Isles.
One of the most important places associated with this heritage in South Uist is Stilligarry, where the MacMhuirichs lived for centuries. Nearby is the historic site known as Baile nam Bàrd, meaning ‘Township of the Bards.’ The remains of this settlement offer a tangible connection to the people who helped preserve Gaelic literature and history across generations. The site continues to attract historical and archaeological interest because of its potential to reveal more about the family's day to day life and role at the centre of bardic learning.
In 2012, members of the Learned Kindred of Currie from across the world gathered in Stilligarry to dedicate a new memorial cairn to the bards. It was built from a collection of stones submitted by family from across the globe, including New Zealand and South Africa, to represent how far the clan has travelled. The cairn was covered with Currie tartan before being officially unveiled by Robert Currie and Stilligarry crofter Alasdair MacDonald. Piper Angus MacKenzie performed a tune song, ‘The Clan Currie,’ that had been commissioned by the Clan Currie Society especially for the occasion. If you are tracing your Currie ancestry, a visit to South Uist offers the perfect opportunity to walk in the landscape where your ancestors lived and worked.
Glasgow City Chambers
Our final site for today holds great significance to both the family’s past and future! In the heart of Glasgow, overlooking the magnificent George Square, you can find Glasgow City Chambers, one of Scotland’s most impressive civic buildings. Opened in 1888, its grand architecture reflects the wealth and ambition of a city that became a major centre of commerce and industry. For the Learned Kindred of Currie, however, Glasgow City Chambers has a greater significance. It represents an important new chapter in the continuing story of the Currie name.
Glasgow has played a meaningful role in the modern revival of Currie family heritage. In 1959, Colonel William McMurdo Currie established a Currie family society in the city, helping renew interest in the ancient MacMhuirich bardic dynasty. The establishment of the family society helped ensure that this remarkable heritage would not be forgotten. Its work eventually developed into the international organisation known today as the Learned Kindred of Currie, bringing together people across the world who share an interest in the history and legacy of the Currie name.
On 14 November 2026, Glasgow City Chambers will provide the setting for a truly landmark occasion. At the Family Convention of the Learned Kindred of Currie, members of the worldwide Currie family will gather to elect their first Chief in over 800 years! The occasion follows the 2017 Family Convention, which led to Robert Currie being appointed Commander of the Name and Arms. The upcoming convention represents a further significant step in the Learned Kindred of Currie’s efforts to secure formal recognition of its leadership through the Lord Lyon.
For descendants of the ancient MacMhuirich family, this gathering is an opportunity to celebrate a shared identity, strengthen connections between family members across continents and look towards the future while honouring the past. From the ancestral landscape of South Uist to the entrepreneurial achievements associated with Lochranza Distillery, the Currie story encompasses both historical roots and future ambitions.
We hope you now feel a bit closer to the great Learned Kindred of Currie! To find out more about this fascinating family, visit our Learned Kindred of Currie clan page for a comprehensive history of the clan, and be sure to keep an eye out for plenty more content to come this month.
Image Sources:
Lochranza Distillery – Our first distillery by Sam Wilson - Own work, CC BY-SA 2.0
South Uist by Lesbarrd - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0
South Uist Beach by Greg Morss, CC BY-SA 2.0
George Square and Glasgow City Chambers by TomZoy - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0
