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Throughout August we have been celebrating all things Clan MacLennan. We have met some famous faces, visited many sites, and gained great insight into the history of this ancient clan. Finally, we called upon the valued Clan members to share their stories and we have had some great stories; read the blog to find out more!
Read the MacLennan Stories
Fiona MacLennan - Clan MacLennan Association Scotland
We enjoyed this story Fiona sent in, thank you Fiona!
"Clan MacLennan has always been a part of my life, I even remember my first tartan skirt, that I wore with a green Shetland sweater and must have been very proud of my ensemble to remember it over 60 years ago!
My father, the late James MacLennan, known to many as Jimmy Mac, read an article in the Sunday Post in the early 1960s about our late Chief Ronald’s research work to matriculate his arms and become the first clan Chief of the MacLennans for over three hundred years.
Having a passion for our clan’s history, Jimmy wrote to Chief Ronnie, who replied enthusiastically, a correspondence ensued, long letters, no mobile phones in those days, in both their beautiful handwriting, and so a long lasting friendship was formed.
Over the last fifty years I have been closely involved in our clan association, helping with the gatherings, being a committee member. I was our newsletter editor, we had the first color edition of clan associations and societies newsletters at the time, filled with news of MacLennans from all over the world, book reviews and interviews, even a serial, The Curse of The Clan, penned by world famous author Barbara Cartland. My small daughter at the time, Rebecca, was roped in to assist by packaging the newsletters into their envelopes to be posted all over the world and it was always a very exciting day when we took the stacks of envelopes to the local post office.
As we go forward with the planning and organizing for our upcoming 50th Anniversary gathering in Strathpeffer in 2028, my daughter, Rebecca is still involved, now as Clan Secretary she is kept very busy, working hand in hand with our Chief Ruairidh’s sister Kirsteen, who have been friends all their lives, along with the rest of our committee. [See our interview with Rebecca and Kirsteen in our blog here]
It will be wonderful to celebrate our 50th anniversary since Chief Ronald’s inauguration in Inverness in 1978, keeping his dream of gathering the MacLennan family with clan members coming from near and far.
I have met so many wonderful clan folk over the years, and made some amazing memories.
It was with great joy I saw my granddaughter Lexi wearing a tartan dress of mine that I had made for a gathering many years ago whilst taking part in Edinburgh’s Tartan Parade earlier this year, as we know tartan goes on forever and I’m looking forward to seeing my grandson Logan James wearing his great grandfather’s kilts in the future."
Catherine Young
Catherine sent in some great photos! We're loving the MacLennan Modern tartan kilts.
She says, "Photo attached of MacLennan clan from Boston, MA, attending the New Hampshire Highland Games! Great-grandfather John MacLennan and great-grandmother Isabella MacRae immigrated to Scotstown, Quebec from the Hebrides area."
Maureen Mullins
Maureen sent in her wonderful photo that was taken at the MacLennan Gathering in 2024 with her and her two sons. Don't they look great!
Unfortunately August has come to an end, that certainly doesn't mean our love for Clan MacLennan is over, so be sure to get in touch with us if you fancy chatting all things MacLennan!
