Clan MacLachlan
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Clan MacLachlan is a Highland Scottish clan.
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[edit] History
[edit] Origins of the Clan
Clan MacLachlan are of ancient origin. they are descended from "Niall of the Nine Hostages" who was the High King of Ireland in 400 A.D. Lochlainn was the name of the senior branch of the descendants of Niall, King of Ireland. The MacLochlains were virtual rulers of Ulster until they were defeated by the Irish King Brian O'Neil. Their chief Donall MacLochlain was killed along with most of his kinsmen.
By the 13th century the name appears in Scotland when Lachlan Mor and his family lived on the shores of Loch Fyne. Lachlan gave his name not only to his clan bt to Lachlan Water, Lachlan Bay, the village of Strathlachlan and Lachlan Castle.
[edit] 14th Century & Robert the Bruce
During the 14th century the Clan MacLachlan made shrewd political alliances and flourished as a result of their support for King Robert the Bruce.
[edit] 15th Century
By the 15th century the Chief of Clan MacLachlan was known as Lord of Strathlachlan and they were closely linked to the church. The MacLachlans are known to have been extremely generous to the friars of Glasgow.
[edit] 17th Century & Civil War
The Clan MacLachlan secured their position as a powerful force in Scotland by allying themselves with the powerful Clan Campbell. However during the Civil War the MacLachlans fought as Royalists under James Graham the 1st Marquess of Montrose. This alliance broke completely during the 18th century Jacobite Uprisings. During the Civil War the MacLachlans fought at the Battle of Alford and at the Battle of Philiphaugh where their chief was captured, taken to Edinburgh and executed by the Covenanters. The MacLachlans also fought against their neighbours the Clan Lamont. The MacLachlans later fought at the Battle of Killiecrankie in 1689.
[edit] 18th Century & Jacobite Uprisings
The Clan MacLachlan were renowned for their loyalty to the Stuarts and supported them during both the 1715 to 1716 and 1745 to 1746 Jacobite Uprisings. The MacLachlan chief led the clan when they fought under the Earl of Mar at the Battle of Sherrifmuir in 1715. The Clan MacLachlan also fought at the Battle of Prestonpans in 1745. Lachlan MacLachlan, the seventeenth chief was appointed to the staff of Charles Edward Stewart as commissary general. He led 300 MacLachlans at the Battle of Culloden in 1746 but he was killed by a cannon shot during the course of the battle.
[edit] Lachlan Castle
In the aftermarth of the Battle of Culloden, Lachlan Castle also known as MacLachlan Castle was burned to the ground on the orders of the Duke of Cumberland and the chief's family were forced to flee. However as the MacLachlans had been allied with the government supporters of Clan Campbell they were soon able to have their lands reinstated and a new Lachlan Castle was built in sight of the ruins of the original one.
