Yes, I Clan. Clan You?

One of the beautiful things about being a Buchanan in Scotland is that everyone knows how to say and spell your name.  Correctly.   No mispronouncing it when called.  No being asked to spell it when making dinner reservations or deciphering Mom's autographs.  Instead, they comment, "yours is a proper Scottish name". 

Anyone on the streets of Scotland will tell you Buchanans were Highlanders.  They can tell you the exact location from which the Buchanan Clan originated and if/how they are related to our clan.

One of our cabbies was a McCormick and relayed during our ride how his family fell under the protective umbrella of the Buchanan Clan, since not all families were a clan nor had a clan, as was his family's case.  In a way, he considered us related.  He spoke of the Buchanans as having lots of land, wealth and political power as a result of being a trustworthy and loyal people.   

Driver displaying his McPherson Clan Tattoo

Another mentioned that he was from the McPherson Clan and told how they loved to steal the Buchanan cows and sell our own cows back to us.  They must have been the clan that invented illegal mooving of acownts.  Proud of his scrappy and scrupulous heritage, he bears it's brand as a tattoo.  This is something he claims many true patriots do.   

A hotel server we met immediately knew her history with our Clan.  She was from the McNab Clan and told stories of how our clans battled each other for centuries.  We taunted that we must have won more of the battles since we're the ones with a major street and gallery named after us where all the pretty posh shops are patroned.  She surrendered.

After hearing countless taunts & tales of our Clan, we decided to hunt for a tittle of truth, starting from the Buchanan beginning.  Actually, if you really want to begin from the beginning, the Scots will tell you that the Scots are Irish.  Scot in Gaelic means "Irish Pirate".  We heard it said on more than one occasion that Scots were native Irish who came over to stake their claim to Scotland.  This informs the recent results of our Ancestry DNA test confirming we are 33% Irish.

Had I known I was technically Irish all these years, I would have made much better use of their luck.

Clan Beginnings
In the beginning, there was a clan.  Technically, a clan is a mini military.  That makes the Clan Chief a mini king.  The Clansfolk pay the Chief for living on the land through military service as often as the Chief demands payment.

Clan Buchanan Beginnings
If you refer to the Clan Map below, you'll see where the Buchanan name first appeared in 1225, on the shores of a beautiful lake, Loch Lomond.  This is on the midwest side of Scotland, roughly 35 miles northwest of Glasgow.  According to our ancestry records on hand, this is also the last known region our ancestors resided before moving to Glasgow in the 1800s.  Their successful stint lasted on these rolling ranges for many centuries, until their Irish luck ran out.  It ran out when they got run off the land during the  calamitous Highland Clearances, but that's another story for another day. 

Those of you over forty may need to put on your readers to locate the Buchanan Castle.  Funny note about that...when they built the castle, they were greatly taxed.  They soon learned that the tax was a roof tax. So to prevent from being taxed, they simply removed the roof.  Brilliant!  And breezy.  And very Buchanan.  Today, the castle remains are relics that rest on the Buchanan Golf Club.

The natives say that Scotland's western side is the more desirable, beautiful side.  But, it too has a wild side.  Scottish westerners were known as the rebel rousers and true troublemakers in the land.  'Nuff said.

Clan Map at the Scottish Geneaology Society, Family History Center in Edinburgh.  Clan information below from the Scottish Clan & Family Encyclopedia, 1994. 

Clan Buchanan History, Heroes & Hazards
The name "Buth chanain" is Gaelic for 'house of canon', derived from the belief that the eldest of Clan Buchanan, Absalon de Buchanan, was a clergyman or from a family dedicated to the service of the ancient Celtic Church.  He was the one to whom these lands were first granted by the Earls of Lennox.  Wonder if that land came with stemware.

In 1282, Morris of Buchanan received a charter confirming him in his lands with baronial rights.  He also held the small island of Clarinch, the name of which was afterwards to become the battle-cry of the clan.  I question the effectiveness of that battle cry, for how intimidating could it have been to have warriors running at you while making sounds of a cat purging hairballs.

The Buchanans supported the cause of Robert the Bruce during the Wars of Scottish Independence and aided his escape in 1306.  As a result, the fortunes of the family were then assured.  Fear not ye Braveheart die hards, Robert the Bruce only betrayed William Wallace in Mel Gibson's version of history.  The irony is, the Gibson family falls under the Buchanan Clan, so his portrayal casts a long lurking shadow on himself.  While here, I've heard Bruce referred to as the true braveheart of Scotland, although it may have had more to do with his dying wish to have his heart carved out and carried to the Holy Land to guarantee his place in heaven.  'Twas perhaps the heart carver and carter that was bravest and brawniest of all.

Sir Alexander Buchanan traveled with other Scottish nobles to fight for the French against Henry V of England and fought at the Battle of Beuge in Normandy in 1421.  Not to be confused with the Battle of the Bulge one fights in our day.

Sir Alexander's exploits during this battle are given as explanation for the heraldry of the Buchanan Crest, shown here.  It is said that he came face to face with the Duke of Clarence and escaping his thrust, pierced the Duke through his left eye, killing him.  He bore off his coronet as a trophy, hence the ducal cap held aloft in the crest.

Also descended from the family were the Buchanans of Arnprior, who held lands in Perthsire around Kippen.  Duly noted, as we have seen Perthsire on our ancestry records.  The Lairds (Lords) of Arnprior lived in high style and were nicknamed the 'kings of Kippen'.  Author Sir Walter Scott relates a tale said to explain this title.  But we've no time for such trivia here.

The ancient lands of Buchanan were to have been passed at the death of the last chief, John Buchanan of Buchanan, in 1682 to Buchanan of Arnprior, but instead were sold to meet heavy debts.  There is another account citing the transference of all Chief rights to a Major George Buchanan, who was to marry John's daughter.  But he never married and by John's death had given up all Buchanan evidences, both the rights and the fortune.  That doesn't sound like the George I know and love.  In either case, the mansion house of Buchanan is now in the possession of the Graham Dukes of Montrose.  So goes my inheritance.

A Buchanan of Royal Regard
There was one Buchanan who had such redeeming qualities that royals took notice of him.  His name was George, just like my father's and his father's.  This George Buchanan was a distinguished poet and Protestant reformer born in 1506.  He moved to Paris around 1520 to continue his education and traveled extensively around Europe, embarking upon a literary career.

He returned to Scotland in 1560 and shortly thereafter was appointed to be tutor in classics to the young Mary, Queen of Scots.  Although he received a measure of royal favor, it didn't prevent him from writing unfavorable critiques of her.  I have to wonder whether his view was based on differing religious ideologies, given she was a loyal Catholic and he a preaching Protestant, or a mere matter of clashing characteristics.  Perhaps he was jealous she always got to wear the flashier things, since her crown jewels brought some real bling.  There was also the conspiracy theory of the time that she was involved in the murder of her 2nd husband, plotted with whom would quickly become her 3rd husband.  This is the reason she ultimately was forced to abdicate the throne.

After the abdication of Mary, George was appointed preceptor and tutor to her son, the young James VI.  This is the very James that became the first King to rule over both England and Scotland, as well as the King James whose translation of the Bible is used today.  George Buchanan is credited with laying the foundation for that monarch's profound academic prowess and religious reformation.

Contemporary Clan: Position Available
In today's world, the most frequently asked question at Scottish Gatherings in the US, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and online forums is, "Who is the Clan Buchanan Chief?"  Since the demise of the Buchanan Chief and chiefly line in the 17th century, sadly there is no Clan Chief today.

The questions follow, "Why don't we get another one?" and "How do we get another one?"  Clanspeople, reason with me.  For over 330 years our clanpeeps have prospered around the world in all disciplines and vocations, in peace and in war.  The job requirements should now simply be "looks good in a kilt."

Clan Chief re-establishment is a process guided by the Court of the Lord Lyon, whoever he is, and so far, no one wears the kilt well enough.  In other words, no candidate has clearly demonstrated his or her hereditary right to claim the chiefship.  Therefore, they are currently seeking to identify the rightful heir of the Chiefly line, and in the absence of an heir, identify and elect a Commander.

If interested, and look good in a kilt, apply within.

Buchanan Clan Shield
The Buchanan shield, displayed at the top of this page, is virtually the Royal Arms of Scotland.  The only difference is the change in the lion and the double tressure of fleurs de lis from red to black. This is said to allude to our Clan's mourning of our loss of status as a result of vast estates being confiscated when royal marriage plans went awry after an unexpected beheading by one's own cousin.  Luckily, this royal family dysfunction rested with the in-laws. The more things change, the more they stay the same.  Our clan's only fault in this case was to falter at the alter.  Somehow, I can relate to that.

Buchanan Clan Motto:  Clarior Hinc Honos
Translation:  Hence the brighter honor!

May every member of
Clan Buchanan ever 
love it, live it, and be it!