A brief History of Clan MacGregor

The Clan Gregor held lands in Glenstrae, Glenlochy and Glenorchy. Sir Ian Moncrieffe believed that they were descended from the ancient Celtic royal family through the hereditary Abbots of Glendochart, a descent which may be proclaimed in the motto, "Royal is my race". There is no evidence to support the tradition that Gregor was the son of Kenneth Macalpin. He may have been Griogair, son of Dungal, who is said to have been a co-ruler of Alba, the kingdom north of Central Scotland, between AD 879 and 889. Most modern historians agree that the first certain chief was Gregor of the golden bridles. Gregors son, Iain Camm, One-eye, succeeded as the second chief sometime prior to 1390.

Robert the Bruce granted the barony of Loch Awe, which included much of the Macgregor lands, to the Chief of the Campbells. In common with many royal gifts of the time, it was left to the recipient to work out how he would take possession of it. The Campbells harried the Macgregors who were forced to retire deeper into their lands until they were largely restricted to Glenstrae.

Ian of Glenstrae, the second of his house to be called "the Black", died in 1519 with no direct heirs. The Campbells supported the succession of Eian. Eians son, Alistair, fought the English at the Battle of Pinkie in 1547 but died shortly thereafter.

John Drummond, the kings forester, was murdered after hanging some Macgregors for poaching. The chief took responsibility for the act, and was condemned by the Privy Council. In April 1603 James VI issued an edict proclaiming the name Macgregor "altogther abolished", meaning that those who bore the name must renounce it or suffer death. Macgregor along with eleven of his chieftains, was hanged at Edinburghs Mercat Cross in January 1604.

Clan Gregor was scattered, many taking other names, such as Murray or Grant. But despite their savage treatment, the Macgregors fought for the king during the civil war.

Rob Roy Macgregor, born in 1671, a younger son of Macgregor of Glengyle, was forced to assume his mothers name of Campbell. His adventures have been immortalised in SIr Walter Scotts novel,Rob Roy. The persecution of Clan Gregor ended in 1774, when laws against them were repealed. In order to restore clan pride it was necessary to re-establish the chiefs.

A petition subscribed by 826 Macgregors declared General John Murray of Lanrick to be the proper and true chief. He was in fact a Macgregor being a descendant of Duncan Macgregor of Ardchoille.

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