Clan MacGregor

This is one of the most famous of highland clans being from the principal branch of Clan Alpine. This surname is said to mean son of Gregory or flocksman. The clan claim descent from Griogair, King Alpine's son, in the 8th century, however, there is no evidence to support this claim. The clan's home was the eastern border of Argyll and the western border of Perthshire, including Glenorchy, Glenstrae, Glenlyon and Glengyle. The clan's earliest possession was Glenlyon previously owned by the Campbells but given to the Macgregors for their services towards Alexander II in his conquest of Argyll. Robert the Bruce granted the barony on Loch Awe which included much of the Macgregor land, to the chief of the Campbells. The name Macgregor was proscribed, and several enactments were passed against the clan, whose unfortunate members were prosecuted and persecuted. In 1560, Colin Campbell of Glenorchy, who had brought the superiority from his kinsman, Argyll, refused to recognise the claim of Gregor Roy Macgregor to the estates. In April 1603, James VI issued an edict proclaiming the name of Macgregor be abolished and that if anybody were found to bear that name then they would have to either renounce that name of be put to death. Rob Roy (1671-1734) the celebrated freebooter hero of Sir Walter Scott's romance, was a son of Lieutenant Col. Donald Macgregor of Glengyle. He was forced to assume his mother?s maiden mane, Campbell. It was not until 1774 that the penal statutes against the Macgregors were finally repealed. A petition prescribed by 826 Macgregors declared General John - Murray Macgregor of Lanrick to be the proper and true chief being himself a Macgregor a descendant of Duncan Macgregor of Ardchoille who had died in 1552. The father of the present chief, Sir Malcolm Macgregor, served in the navy during the First World War The present chief is Sir Malcolm Macgregor and Balquhidder, 5th Baronet.