Tartan - The MacLaine of Lochbuie Modern

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The Clan MacLaine of Lochbuie

The Maclaines of Lochbuie, Mull are descended from Gillean-na-Tauighe, (Gillean of the Battle Axe), a fierce warrior who lived in the thirteenth century. He is said to have fought, along with his sons, at the battle of Largs in 1263. Gillean's great-grandson, Iain Dubh, or Black John, had two sons, Eachann Reaganach (Hector the Stern), and Lachainn Lubanach (Lachlan the Wily). Hector and Lachlan were granted independent charters to lands on the Isle of Mull from John, 1st Lord of the Isles (MacDonald); Hector at Lochbuie, and Lachlan at Duart. Thus the two dominant branches of the family were formed: the Maclaines of Lochbuie and the Macleans of Duart (the Maclaine family used the Maclean spelling until around 1600). Many of the clansmen at Lochbuie retained other spellings of Maclaine or Maclean, such as Maclayne, McClain, and McLain. Various smaller families intermarried or banded together with the Maclaines, including the McFadyens, MacCormacks, Blacks, Beatons, MacGillivrays, Huies, MacAvoys and Pattons (all with over 200 different spellings). They were all accepted into the clan as loyal members. John Mor Maclaine, the seventh chief, was renowned as an excellent swordsman. When an Italian master-at-arms challenged Scottish nobles to meet him in duel John Mor accepted the challenge, and fought and killed him in the presence, and to the delight, of the king and the court. His son, Hector, eighth of Lochbuie, initiated the spelling of the surname ‘Maclaine’, which became the accepted spelling by subsequent chiefs. Please visit the Clan Website http://maclainelochbuie.tripod.com/ Or for more information about the clan and the areas associated with the clan visit wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clan_MacLaine_of_Lochbuie