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Date Posted: 22:43:57 05/18/11 Wed
Author Host/IP: 98-159-200-219.scottsboro.org/98.159.200.219
Post 273 A: Clan Mac Gregor History: Part 2
The severity of the laws under which the Mac Gregors were at this time suffering, is unparalleled. Those who might kill a Mac Gregor, were not only held "scaithless," but were actually rewarded by a gift of their "haill moveable goods and gear!" In 1603 they were commanded to change their name under pain of death, and prohibited from carrying any arms, except a pointless knife to use at their meals: subsequently, no greater number than four of the clan was permitted to meet together. It is even alleged that bloodhounds were employed to track them in their retreats, and had their countrymen been as hostile as the law required, the Mac Gregors had been speedily exterminated. The Camerons, being stirred up to this service, agreed to attack the Mac Gregors, who, reinforced by a party of their friends, the Macphersons, marched northward, and gave battle in Brae Lochabar to their enemies, who met a signal defeat.
The loyaly of this clan was remarkable, for, although suffering from a proscription so severe, they took the field under Montrose with their whole strength. That general did, indeed, assure them that when his majesty's affairs were settled, all their grievances should be redressed, and on the restoration, Charles II., in reward for their inflexible fidelity, annulled the statute which prohibited them from bearing the name Mac Gregor, and restored them to all rights and privileges, but the advantage of this act they unfortunately did not long enjoy, for it was insidiously rescinded by William III.
John, who was chief in 1715, adopted the name of Murray. Like his ancestors he maintained the claim of the Stewarts, but he did not deem it prudent to appear publicly in arms. The famous Rob Roy took the field, a hero of the Dugal Ciar branch of the clan, but he posted himself in sight of the field of battle at Dunblane, and, believing victory secure, he did not advance, remarking to a messenger sent from the Earl of Mar, with pressing orders to charge, that if he could not gain without the Mac Gregors, he could not gain with them.
Robert, the succeeding chief, was so zealous a partizan of the exiled family, that he mortgaged his whole estate to support it, and commanded his clan in the Princes's army, 1745. When they were in the north, the Duke of Cumberland employed Mr. Gordan, minister of Alva, in Strathspey, to treat with them to lay down arms, offering restoration of their name, and other considerations, to which they replied that they could not desert the cause, but chose rather to risk all and die with the charactor of honest men, than live in infamy, and disgrace their posterity. When the war was determined on the moor of Culloden, the clan marched off the field with banners flying, and dispersed in their own country, which was thoroughly ravaged by the victorious army. The chief was long confined in Edinburgh Castle: and on his death, in 1758, the honour developed on his brother Evan, who held a commission in the 41st regiment.
John of Lanrick, who also bore the name of Murray, was created Baronet, in 1795. When the act which proscribed the Mac Gregors was repealed, he resumed the family name. On which occasion 826 clansmen of mature age, subscribed a judicial deed, acknowledging him to be chief, an honour which is disputed by Mac Gregor of Glengyle, of the "sliochd Gregor, a chroic," who are descended from the twelfth chief who died about 1413.
Sir John died in 1822, and was succeeded by the late distinguished officer and patriot, Sir Evan Murray Mac Gregor, who died in 1840, leaving as his successor Sir John Bannatyne Mac Gregor, who died in 1851.
The military power of the Mac Gregors, in 1645, was 1000, and 700 when last mustered in their national independence, 1745. Colonel Alexander Mac Gregor Murray, in 1799, raised the first battalion of Clan Alpin Fencibles, 765 strong, and a second battalion was embodied making together 1230 men.
The old Armorial Bearings are, argent, a sword in bend dexter, and fir tree eradicated in bend sinister, proper, in chief a crown, gules. Crest, a lion's head crowned with an antique diadem. Motto, "E'en do bot spair nocht." The dexter supporter is a unicorn denoting the royal descent, arg. crowned and horned, or; the sinister a deer proper, tyned azure.
The SUAICHEANTAS, or Badge of the Clan Alpin, is Guithas, Pine, Pinus Sylvestris.
The CATH-GHAIRM, Ard-choille, the wood on the hight.
The PIOBAIREACHDAN, are the Mac Gregor's salute, and the battle of Glenfruin.-Gleann Bhraoin, the Valley of Grief.
- R.R. Mc Ian., published 1845 and 1847, see part 1.
End Post 273 A: The Clan Mac Gregor History: Part 2, www.voy.com/40560/, teltalheart=Michael D. Barnes
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Post 273 A: Clan Mac Gregor History: Part 2