Do you have MacLaren blood, or are you keen to learn more about this ancient and resilient clan? Read on to find out where you can visit in Scotland to connect with the Clan’s tumultuous history! Experience the landscapes that formed a backdrop to the MacLaren’s dramatic lives and explore your heritage by organising a trip to one of these scenic locations in the stunning Scottish countryside.
Balquhidder
It seems only right to start in the heartland of Clan MacLaren, in the small village of Balquhidder, the historic seat and traditional territory of the MacLarens. You can find Balquhidder in Perthshire, about ten miles north-west of Callander. It is overlooked by the striking hilly terrain of the Braes of Balquhidder and bordered to the west by the picturesque Loch Voil. Nowadays, it is a popular place for locals and tourists alike to hike, fish, and enjoy some tranquillity and fresh air, however, it wasn’t always so peaceful! The MacLarens first came to occupy Balquhidder in the ninth century and settled there until 1558, when they encountered a calculated and merciless attack. 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. Clan MacLaren asserted their honour once again centuries later, when in 1957, Donald MacLaren successfully matriculated his Arms at the Lyon Court and purchased land in Balquhidder, becoming the Clan Chief and reversing the ‘chief less and landless’ status.
The Boar's Rock
Part of the land he bought included Creag an Tuirc or 'The Boar's Rock', the old MacLaren rallying point and the inspiration for their traditional war cry. If you decide to take a trip to Balquhidder, make sure to climb The Boar’s Rock and take a moment to imagine the mighty MacLarens yelling ‘Creag an Tuirc’ in unison. We imagine it must have been a haunting sound to hear.
The Old Kirk and Kirk Grounds
You should also make sure not to miss the Old Kirk of Balquhidder on the north side of the glen, which is dedicated to Clan MacLaren with a plaque reading ‘for generations of MacLarens, their place of worship and within whose walls their Chiefs are buried.’The first known church on the site, the Eaglais Beag or "little church” holds a particular significance to the MacLarens, as it was built in around 1250 by Abbot Labhran, the progenitor of the Clan.
The Abbot claimed the right for his heirs to be buried within the church, so to this day you can find numerous MacLaren graves in the kirkyard. In 1631 the "Little Church" was replaced on the same site by what is now called the "Old Church", whose ruins still stand in the kirkyard. Then later, In 1855 the Old Church was replaced by the Parish Church, which stands to its north. It is open to visitors today and still contains a wealth of knowledge about Clan MacLaren, with plaques, information boards, and even a monument dedicated to the Clan. We hope we’ve shown you that you can learn plenty about the MacLarens within their home territory alone, but if you’re feeling more adventurous, there are also places further afield to explore!
Culloden Moore Battlefield
One of the most significant places you can visit is Culloden Battlefield, the site of one of the famous battles in Scottish history, in which many MacLarens sadly lost their lives. On the 16thof April 1746, Jacobite supporters seeking to restore the Stuart monarchy to the throne gathered to fight the Duke of Cumberland's government troops on Drummossie Moor. They were a powerful army, and up until that point undefeated, however, on this day they were exhausted. They were weary from a long march and weak due to their dwindling food rations. They found themselves shockingly outmatched in almost all ways, as the Duke of Cumberland’s army was well rested, better fed, and bigger. In less than an hour, the battle was over, with the Jacobites bitterly defeated. Many Maclarens served in this battle under the Appin Regiment and the Atholl Brigade. The Clan even provided two officers, Captain Donald MacLaren of Invernentie who was wounded at Culloden, taken but escaped, and regimental surgeon, Doctor Lachlan MacLaren of Appin.
Many people visit the battleground to this day to learn more about the notorious event and pay their respect to fallen ancestors. Culloden Visitor Centre, which stands beside the battlefield, is a must-see that features artefacts from both sides of the battle and interactive displays which explain the background to the conflict.We’re sure that you will find a visit to Culloden a deeply poignant experience. You can see headstones to mark the graves of hundreds of men who gave their lives for the Jacobite cause and a memorial cairn which honours the fallen. This eerie and desolate moor is a key place to see if you are interested in exploring MacLaren history. The final MacLaren site we have for you this month is Stirling Castle, which played a key role in the thrilling tale of the aforementioned Captain Donald MacLaren of Invernentie. Donald fought at Culloden, and managed to survive, despite sustaining numerous injuries. However, his luck seemed short lived.
Stirling Castle
The final MacLaren site we have for you this month is Stirling Castle, which played a key role in the thrilling tale of the aforementioned Captain Donald MacLaren of Invernentie. Donald fought at Culloden, and managed to survive, despite sustaining numerous injuries. However, his luck seemed short lived. The Duke of Cumberland showed little mercy after his victory on the battlefield, and rounded up all his surviving enemies, sending them to be imprisoned in Stirling Castle. Stirling Castle sits on a vast volcanic rock above the river Forth at the meeting point between the Lowlands and Highlands. It is surrounded on three sides by steep cliffs, which made it the perfect place to hold prisoners. Navigating such a treacherous terrain to escape would have been almost impossible. Luckily for Donald, he was only held at Stirling for three months before it was decided that he should be moved to Carlisle.
This gave him the chance to make a bid for freedom. About halfway through the journey between Stirling and Carlisle, he managed to free himself from the guards and made a bold and daring move. Shrouding himself in plaid, he threw himself into the Moffat Beef-tub (now known as the Devil's Beef-tub), a deep gorge near Moffat in the Scottish Borders. He disappeared into the misty water and hid from the guards until they finally gave up the search for him. After this courageous escape, MacLaren lived as an outlaw in the Stirlingshire countryside until 1757 when an amnesty was finally announced. If you would like to visit the site of his imprisonment, Stirling Castle is now a popular tourist destination, complete with costumed actors to bring the period to life!
We’d love to know if you decide to visit any of these fascinating sites! Please feel free to let us know if you feel inspired to see Blaquhidder, the Old Kirk, Culloden Battlefield, or Stirling Castle and visit the clan webpage for more information on Clan MacLaren.
