History of The Clan Buchanan, part 1
11th-13th centuries and origins
Clan Buchanan is an old Highland Scottish clan. Our people have been in Scotland, particularly in Stirlingshire and on the shores of Loch Lomond, for thousands of years.
According to DNA analysis, Clan Buchanan was located on the shores of Loch Lomond, in the Auld Kingdom of Alba, well before the year 1000 (CE) and possibly going way beyond that.
The Y-DNA Project, with all the people who participated in that (including the MacAuslans and Buchanans), concludes that there is no individual descended from recognized family lines of the clan whose Y-DNA matches up with any O’Cahan/O’Kyan Y-DNA from Ireland.
According to the official publication provided to the Clan Buchanan Society International (CBSI), "There is a strong DNA link to the Clan Gregor which seems to indicate a common ancestor around the year 400 C.E. (AD)" This discovery was made through extensive genetic testing information collected provides further proof of the existence of Clan Buchanan well before dates mentioned in the “Irish Prince Origin Myth”.
Supported by Y-DNA research, the Clan now believes that our origins are ancient P-Celtic or Brittonnic who would have arrived in Britain, most likely Wales, around the start of the Bronze age 2500 BCE. They were next found in Kintyre in western Scotland and then Argyll between 300 B.C.E (BC) and 350 C.E. (AD). Pressured by an influx of the Irish Q-Celtic from Dál Riata, they moved farther eastward into Argyll and then across to the eastern shore of Loch Lomond where they settled.
The Irish Prince Origin Myth According to the Clan's "Origin Myth", Clan Buchanan can trace its chiefly line back to Anselan O Kyan (of the clan Ó Catháin), a provincial king of north Ulster (seat in Limavady, County Londonderry) who landed in Argyll (Scotland) in 1016. According to this story, for his services against the Danes he received from King Malcolm II the lands of Buchanan. 10, 11, 12, 13 This account of origin, land derivation and name establishment is inconsistent with other accounts (in Ireland or in Scotland), as well as extensive DNA information collection, and is officially considered to be little more than a myth. 17 As such, a special meeting was held on 23 January, 2021 for the Conveners of CBSI wherein Clan President, David Byrne, informed all present members, "...that origin myth has been in our history books and in our tents forever. Auchmar, in his history of the clan, was the one who really pushed that forward... and it's the one everyone has clung to. It's a great story. The problem is that it's not accurate. It didn't happen. |
From 1217 to 1250 Malduin ruled the district of Lennox (known in ancient times as the "Levenax"). The Parish of Buchanan was a part of the Lennox.
The parish of Buchanan was a sub-division of the lands established by the church. Two names are given as the root of the territorial name Buchanan: Mac a Chanonaich = The Son of the Canon, and Buth Chanain = The house or seat of the canon. ⁸,⁹
In 1225, Maldonus, Third Mormaer of Lennox, granted a charter for the island of Clairinch to Anselan of Buchanan (the third of that name, and the seventh Laird of Buchanan), his seneschal, in return for a pound of wax yearly. The island of Clareinch (also shown as Clareinch, Clairinch or Clairinsh; provides the Clan's call to war/meet, “Clar Innis”). Anselan was Seneschal to Malduin; he is referred to as 'clericus meus', meaning 'my clergyman' (in noble households a Seneschal was in charge of domestic arrangements and the administration of servants and laborers, which would entail a great deal of power in the community, at a time when much of the local economy was often based on the wealth and responsibilities of such a household). Anselan is subsequently recorded as “Absalom de Buchanan” and it is understood that to have this title, there must have been other grants of land in the parish of Buchanan. Absalom is just a variant of Anselan.
The exact wording of the Charter Maldoven, Earl of Lennox, has given, granted, and established by this his charter, to Absalon son of Macbethad, that island called Clairinsh (STL), to hold of him and his heirs in feu and heritage, with all its pertinents and easements, free and quit of any secular or servile exaction, for an annual render of 1 pound of wax at Christmas, in return for all services, customs and exactions. |
So, our lands and titles came from bees wax,
and the 7th Chief Anselan MacAuselan is considered
to be the first “Buchanan”.
During the reign of King Alexander II (1214–1249), Gilbert de Buchanan, seneschal to the Earl of Lennox, received, in 1231, a charter confirming Clareinch and other lands in Buchanan. 14, 15, 16, 66, 67, 68
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William Wallace link
Sir William Wallace (b. 1270 d. 1305) was a Scottish knight who became one of the main leaders of Scottish Independence.
An unenviable link – Sir Maurice Buchanan (the 10th Chief) partitioned the release of Sir John of Menteith (his grandfather-in-law) who betrayed William Wallace to (the English) King Edward the 1st.
Sir Maurice Buchanan 10th of Buchanan married Margaret Menteith. Margaret was granddaughter of Sir John of Menteith, Sheriff of Dunbarton Castle. Sir John is reputed to have betrayed Sir William Wallace to King Edward I of England on 5 Aug 1305. Sir John was imprisoned by (Scottish) King Robert I but in 1314 "through influence of his sons-in-law; Malice, Earl of Strathern; Sir Archibald Campbell, of Lochow; and Maurice Buchanan, of Buchanan, he was released immediately before the Battle of Bannockburn, where he deported himself valiantly on the part of the Scottish king." 18
Sir John was also a signatory to the Declaration of Arbroath in 1320 (considered to be the “letter of Scottish independence”).
William Wallace was captured in August 1305 in Robroyston, near Glasgow, and handed over to King Edward the 1st of England (AKA Longshanks), who had him hanged, drawn and quartered for high treason and crimes against English civilians.
14th century and Wars of Scottish Independence
During the Wars of Scottish Independence, the Clan Buchanan supported King Robert the Bruce by aiding his escape in 1306.
The chief, Maurice 10th of Buchanan, refused to sign the Ragman Roll (The “Ragman Roll” was an oath of allegiance to English King Edward the 1st ), and the chief and lairds of the clan (and presumably their clansmen) served under Malcolm the Earl of Lennox. It is likely given the aforementioned service (but ill-documented), that the clan fought at the Battle of Bannockburn. 19, 20
During the reign of King David II (1324–1371), undated, at least part of the lands of Buchanan belonged to Sir Gilbert Carrick. 21
But, in 1371 the lands were returned to Maurice Buchanan (10th chief): During the reign of Donald Mormaer (Earl) of Lennox (1333–1365), and confirmed by King David II in 1370/71, "Confirmation is of charter by Donald, Earl of Lennox, in favour of Maurice Buchanan, son and heir of late Maurice Buchanan, of that carucate of land called Buchanan with Sallochy, with these bounds ie Akehin up to Aldmarr [Auchmar] just as it descends below the water of Hanerch [Endrick], and the land of Sallochy, with these bounds, from Sallochy all along to Kelg and then it descends to the water of Lochlomon [Loch Lomond], to hold in fee and with the freedom to hold as many courts with jurisdiction of life and limb as he may wish." 22, 23
15th century, Hundred Years' War and other clan conflicts
The 15th century is an important period in the clan’s status with three influential events:
1421 - Sir Alexander Buchanan, second son of Walter Buchanan of Buchanan (11th chief of Buchanan), led men of the clan in support of the French against the English at the Battle of Baugé in 1421. It is said that Sir Alexander Buchanan came face to face with the Duke of Clarence and, escaping his thrust, pierced the Duke through the left eye, killing him. Sir Alexander Buchanan however was later killed leading the clan against the English at the Battle of Verneuil in 1424. 24, 6
The Battle of Baugé, illustration from the manuscript of Martial d'Auvergne, Les Vigiles de Charles VII, c. 1484
This is the origin or our crest badge: The Chief's 1657 crest (which also is the centrepiece of clan folk's badge) is a hand couped at the wrist holding a ducal cap, which celebrates Sir Alexander Buchanan's slaying of the Duke of Clarence in combat.
1425 – Execution by James I of Scotland, of his first-cousin, Murdoch Stewart, 2nd Duke of Albany, and Murdoch's two older sons for treason
1443 – Marriage of Isobel Stewart [daughter of Murdoch Stewart, 2nd Duke of Albany, Regent of Scotland, and his wife Isobella, daughter of Donnchadh (Duncan), Mormaer (Earl) of Lennox] to Sir Walter Buchanan, 12th Chief.
Buchanan connection to Scottish Monarchy. Click to enlarge
Feud with Clan MacLarenIn the 15th century, a feud broke out between the Buchanan's of Leny 28 and the Clan MacLaren resulting in a full-scale battle. 29 On the day of the fair in Balquhidder, the MacLarens were busy buying and selling and socializing among their kin, unaware that the Buchanans had mustered a group and were heading to meet up with them. In the early morning on the day of the battle, the people of the town of Auchleskine observed a large group of men heading toward Balquhidder. The MacLarens became aware of the group as they approached Ruskachan, Strathyre, but were unaware of their intention. As the group of Buchanans got closer, the dim-witted man recalled what happened at Kilmahog. He informed his clan members about the incident and the MacLarens rushed to gather their forces. A fiery cross, indicating that they were under attack, was sent around MacLaren country letting the clan members know they needed to prepare and assemble at Balquhidder. The majority of MacLarens had not arrived in time for the initial Buchanan attack. The Buchanans had the upper hand pushing the MacLarens back over a mile into their territory to a clergy house or manse located near the Old Parish Church in Balquhidder. At that location the MacLarens were able to turn the battle around after the Chief of the MacLarens saw one of his sons cut down and killed. Suddenly seized with battle madness, he yelled out the clan slogan “Craig An Tuirc” and grabbing his claymore he furiously rushing towards the Buchanans. His clansmen, joined by other local friends and neighbours, followed him and in a frenzy began cutting down the Buchanans. Only two Buchanans escaped the slaughter by jumping into the Balvaig River at a deep pool called Linn nan Seicachan. However, both men were pursued by the MacLarens. The first man was caught and killed at Gartnafuaran and the final Buchanan was tracked down and killed at Sron Lainie. The incident was forever known as the circumstance at Sron Lainie due to the location of the death of the final Buchanan. 28, 29 |
In 1497 Kenneth Mackenzie, 8th of Kintail, Chief of Clan Mackenzie was killed by the Laird of Buchanan, Sir Walter Buchanan of that Ilk, 14th Chief.30
16th century, Anglo-Scottish Wars and the “King of Kippen”
During the Anglo-Scottish Wars the Clan Buchanan fought against the English at the Battle of Flodden in 1513 where the chief's elder son Patrick was killed. However, Patrick had already married a daughter of the Earl of Argyll and had two sons and daughters. Later the Clan Buchanan fought against the English at the Battle of Pinkie Cleugh in 1547. 6, 29
John Buchanan, the second son of Walter Buchanan the 14th of Buchanan and uncle of George Buchanan the 15th of Buchanan, became proprietor of Arnprior, and afterwards became known as the "King of Kippen", a phrase which originated in a whimsical episode between himself and James V. The story is well retold by Sir Walter Scott in the following paragraph:
When James V travelled in disguise he used a name that was known only to some of his principal nobility and attendants. He was called the Goodman (the tenant, that is) of Ballengiech. Ballengiech is a steep pass that leads down behind the Castle of Stirling. Once upon a time when he was feasting in Stirling, the King sent for some venison from the neighbouring hills. The deer was killed and put on horse’s backs, to be transported to Stirling. Unluckily they had to pass the castle gates of Arnpryor, belonging to a chief of the Buchanans, who had a considerable number of guests with him. It was late, and the company were rather short of victuals, though they had more than enough of liquor. The chief, seeing so much fat venison passing his very door, seized on it; and to the expostulations of the keepers, who told him it belonged to King James, he answered insolently, that if James was King in Scotland, he, Buchanan, was King in Kippen, being the name of the district in which the Castle of Arnpryor lay. On hearing what had happened, the King got on horseback and rode instantly from Stirling to Buchanan's house, where he found a strong fierce-looking Highlander, with an axe on his shoulder, standing sentinel at the door. This grim warder refused the King admittance, saying, that the Laird of Arnpryor was at dinner, and would not be disturbed. “Yet go up to the company my good friend,” said the King, “and tell him that the Goodman of Ballengiech is come to feast with the King of Kippen.” The porter went grumbling into the house, and told his master, that there was a fellow with a red beard, who called himself the Goodman of Ballengiech, at the gate, who said he was come to dine with the King of Kippen. As soon as Buchanan heard these words, he knew that the King was there in person, and hastened down to kneel at James's feet and to ask forgiveness for his insolent behaviour. But the King, who only meant to give him a fright, forgave him freely, and going into the castle feasted on his own venison which Buchanan had intercepted.
Buchanan of Arnpryor was ever afterwards called
the King of Kippen. |
17th century, Wars of the Three Kingdoms and loss of the Buchanan Estate
During the “Wars of the Three Kingdoms,” Sir George Buchanan commanded the Stirlingshire Regiment under David Leslie, on the side of the Scottish Covenanters or Royalists of King Charles II, against Oliver Cromwell’s “New Model Army.” He led the clan at the fateful Battle of Dunbar (3 September 1650). He later led the clan at the Battle of Inverkeithing (20 July 1651), but here he was captured and died in captivity later the same year. It is claimed that in Buchanan's Stirlingshire Regiment "most of his officers, and a good many of the soldiers" were of the name Buchanan and that at the Battle of Inverkeithing a "vast number of the name Buchanan" died. 32, 33 Two Royalist Buchanan soldiers were captured at Worchester, tried and sentenced to transportation to the New World, departing Gravesend on the ship “John and Sarah,” on 13 May 1652 bound for Boston:
The Battle of Bothwell Bridge
The Battle of Bothwell Brig (22 June 1679): A battle between Scottish Government and persecuted Presbyterian Covenanters after the restoration of English King Charles II, whom mandated Episcopacy…
Some Buchanans fought on the side of the Covenanters at the Battle of Bothwell Brig in 1679. One was George Buchanan (1657–1719) (later a magistrate, maltman (whisky distiller) and successful Glasgow merchant), the son of Andrew Buchanan of Gartacharne (a small farm due south-east of Drymen). George was the father of four of Glasgow's most distinguished citizens: George Buchanan of Moss and Auchentoshan (maltman and Glasgow city treasurer and bailie), Andrew Buchanan of Drumpellier (Tobacco Lord and Lord Provost of Glasgow), Archibald Buchanan of Silverbanks and Auchentortie (Tobacco Lord) and Neil Buchanan of Hillington (Tobacco Lord and Member of Parliament for Glasgow district of burghs). 36,37 These four sons were among the founding members of the charity, The Buchanan Society of Glasgow.
The full scope of Buchanan Covenanters is unknown; however:
Alexander Buchanan, Buchlivie, Covenanter, was sent from Tollbooth, 12 Dec 1678, on St. Michael of Scarborough, to Themes for on forwarding to the American plantations. 38
Andrew Buchanan, Shirgarton, Covenanter, was sent from Tollbooth, 12 Dec 1678, on St. Michael of Scarborough, to Themes for on forwarding to the American plantations. 38
Gilbert Buchanan, Glasgow, banished to the Indies, 13 Jun 1678. 38
The last chief of the principal family line
According to William Buchanan of Auchmar, "The most flourishing condition it [the Buchanan Estate] has been in, for diverse ages, was upon the last laird's accession to it" (c1652). By “the last laird”, he was referring to John Buchanan, son of Sir George Buchanan. At this time the estate included the Barony of Buchanan, "several lands in the parishes of Killearn, Strathblane, and others in Lennox"; "the whole estate of Badindalloch" (in Stirlingshire); and "the estate of Craigmillar in Midlothian".
Along with the inheritance of the estate and clan chiefship, there was significant debt. John Buchanan was unwilling to receive his inheritance until his brother-in-law to be, David Erskine, 2nd Lord Cardross, arranged for creditors to accept as payment only a portion of what was owed (a composition). Debt continued to plague John Buchanan, and in about 1680, he and his named successor, Major George Grant (alias Major George Buchanan of that Ilk), sold some of the Highland lands to James Grahame, the Third Marquess of Montrose. It appears that there were other claimants to the Highland lands and as a guarantee that the sale would proceed, John Buchanan offered the Barony of Buchanan as security (an infeftment of real warrandice). It transpired that the sale did not proceed and the Marquess of Montrose became the owner of the Barony of Buchanan and it became the seat of Clan Graham. Prior to the sale, John Buchanan of Arnpryor had been the estate manager for John Buchanan. After the sale, John Buchanan of Arnpryor received a quarter of the estate from the Marquess of Montrose for his services and assistance in evicting the whole estate. (Precisely what his services were and the meaning of "evicting the whole estate" is unclear.)
Click here for part 2 : the modern history
Video interpretation: Information taken from “Highland Clans of Scotland, their history and traditions” by George Todd