Clan MacRae has a long an illustrious history rooted in the Scottish Highlands. One version of this history states that they originated in Clunes, located near the southern shore of the Beauty Firth. After a violent 14th century dispute with the more powerful Frasers of Lovat, three sons of the chief set off for new lands - one settling in Brahan near Dingwall, another in Argyll, and the third in Kintail (perhaps due to sharing common descent with the Mackenzies, but this is debated!). Today, Kintail is considered the "homeland" of the Clan, with members living outside of Scotland identifying themselves as the "scattered children of Kintail."
Clan Motto
Fortitudine
(With Fortitude) First of all to explain why there are so many tartans, way over 2000 in fact. There are an awful lot of Scottish clans to start with and on top of this each clan can have many different tartans and names associated with it.
Beauly, Kintail
Clan MacRae is considered an armigerous clan - despite its antiquity and prestige, it has never had a recognised chief.
In 1909, Sir Colin MacRae of Inverinate submitted a petition to be recognised as the clan chief and to be permitted to use the chiefly arms, but his claim was challenged by members of other branches of the family and ultimately rejected by the Lord Lyon.
As with many Clans, traditions differ to the precise origins of the Clan MacRae. Their name, however, hints at their Celtic roots. In Gaelic, MacRae is "Mhicrath" or "MacRath," which means "Son of Grace" or perhaps "the descendants of MacRath. Early 20th century clan historian Rev Alexander MacRae suggested that the name is linked to the clerical origins of the clan, a theory that is perhaps reinforced by the fact many notable members of the clan - Alexander himself included! - have served the church in Scotland and beyond.
The plant badge of Clan MacRae is alpinum, savin leaved club moss. Found across the northern hemisphere, it is common on Scotland's mountains and moors.
Members of Clan MacRae are known as the “scattered children of Kintail," which is reflected by the numerous associations that connect clan members worldwide.
The Clan MacRae Society of Scotland is a philanthropic society totally inclusive of all who have any relationship with or interest in Clan MacRae in its many branches, septs and guises. They organise clan gatherings roughly every five years, and every November they commemorate the Battle of Sheriffmuir with a ceremony at the clan monument at the site of the battle.
The Clan MacRae Society of North America is a nonprofit voluntary organisation with a focus on education, genealogical research, promoting the clan and Scottish culture, and supporting the Grandfather Mountain Highlanders Pipe Band. They represent the numerous clan members who left Scotland in the late 1700s.
The Clan MacRae Society of Canada's main objectives are to promote the Clan's history, traditions, literature, music and genealogy, and they hold meetings across the country to encourage members to connect with each other.
The Clan MacRae Society of Australia connects those with a connection to the clan in Australia and New Zealand. Together, members celebrate Highland Clan traditions, educate others on these traditions and family news, and foster the wearing of Scottish Highland dress.
What is clear is that you can connect with members of the clan no matter where in the world you find yourself!
The Clan MacRae Society pipe band was one of the great pipe bands of the early 20th century. The band was established in 1913 by Pipe Major Farquhar MacRae under the name The City of Glasgow Pipe Band. They wore the MacRae tartan and were closely allied with the Clan MacRae Society. The band was revised after the First World War, when it became formally affiliated with the society and took on its name. Between 1921 and 1934, they came either first or second in a total of 15 World Championships, which was an impressive feat! Today, the Clan MacRae Society of North America have close links to the North Carolina-based Grandfather Mountain Highlanders Pipe Band, who proudly wear the Clan tartan.
The clan’s war cry is "Sgurr Uaran", whic refers to Sgurr Fhuaran, a mountain near Loch Duich. The mountain is one of the Five Sisters of Kintail, and is a prominent rallying point in the clan’s traditional lands.
Clan MacRae has no chief, and members of each branch of the family use their own, distinct Arms. The arms of MacRae of Inverinate - whose representative Sir Colin MacRae tried to claim the right to bear chiefly arms in 1909 - are argent, a fess azure between three mullets in chief and a lion rampant in base gules.
There are many tartans associated with Clan Macrae. These can broadly be categorised as (Red) Macrae, Hunting Macrae, Macrae of Conchra or Sheriffmuir, and Dress Macrae, the newest tartan. Here at ScotlandShop we have 20 Macrae tartans for you to choose from - there's something for everyone!
The Clan is known to have been active during the American Revolution. Many members of Clan Macrae who had settled along the Cape Fear River in the Colony of North Carolina rose up and fought under command of Brigadier General Donald McDonald as loyalists (loyal to British Crown) in the Battle of Moore’s Creek Bridge.
In 1778, Macraes were the ringleaders in the mutiny of the Seaforth Highlanders in Edinburgh, in which they protested against the rumour that they were being shipped to India without their consent. They were among the soldiers who entrenched on Arthur’s Seat and refused to yield until peacefully approached and their terms of enlistment fulfilled. The event became known as “the affair of the wild Macraes” and if you visit Arthur’s Seat today you’ll find Piper’s Walk – where music was played each evening whilst the camp remained there.
The crest features an arm grasping a sword. The MacRae crest bears the clan motto "Fortitudine," which is Latin for "with fortitude." It is often described as 'A cubit arm grasping a sword all Proper'.
The Loch most closely related to the Clan is Loch Duich, in the Clan's traditional territory around Kintail. Clachan Duich - the traditional burial ground of the Clan - is located beside the medieval St Duthac's Church, on the eastern edge of the loch. The MacRae war cry takes its name from a mountain near the loch, which was a rallying point for members of the clan in the past. The loch is also the site of Eilean Donan Castle, which the MacRae's guarded as constables for several generations.
As followers of the Mackenzie Chiefs the Macraes performed many famous feats of war. Some of the most notable of these were achieved during the struggle with the MacDonalds, which followed the resignation of the Earldom of Ross by the last Lord of the Isles in 1476. The conflict endured for well over a century.
In an early endeavour to recover the earldom and the lands transferred to MacKenzie by the King, MacDonald had invaded the country, burning and slaying. He was met and overthrown on the banks of the Conon by the son of the MacKenzie chief at the battle of Blar na Pairc. In this battle one of the MacRaes, Duncan More, a man of immense strength, is said to have played a very conspicuous part, and contributed largely to the defeat of the MacDonalds. It was said that although Duncan engaged in many conflicts, he was invariably victorious, he never escaped without a wound.
In 1539, Eilean Donan Castle was besieged by Clan Macdonald of Sleat during part of his plan to restore the Lordship of the Isles. Duncan Macrae credited as slaying the Macdonald chief with an arrow which brought the siege to an end.
During the 1715 rising, the Macraes supported the Mackenzie Earls of Seaforth. It is said that on the eve of the Battle of Sheriffmuir, they danced to pipe music on the roof of Eilean Donan. However, in the battle itself, the Jacobite cause collapsed and many Macraes were slain. To this day, every year members of the Clan pay a visit to the site of the battle on its anniversary to lay a wreath at the Clan memorial.
Born in Applecross, Scotland in 1889, Alexander MacRae emigrated to Australia in 1910. Four years later, he founded hosiery company MacRae Knitting Mills in Sydney. The company grew quickly and in 1928, a competition was launched to come up with a new name to accompany their plans for worldwide expansion. The winning name? Speedo!
Learn more about Alexander and other notable members of Clan Macrae in our latest blog post.
Discover 5 interesting facts about the mighty Macraes, including their loyalty to the Mackenzies that earned them the beautiful seat of Eilean Doman Castle. How many of these facts did you know?
The Macraes are 'The scattered children on Kintail', meaning they are found far and wide. So there is no surprise that Clan Macrae have a few famous places they are linked too. From beautiful Castles to a scenic church on the side of a loch. Discover more of the famous places linked to the mighty MacRae clan in our blog.
How much do you think you know about Clan Macrae? Enough to get all 12 questions correct? Test your Macrae Clan Knowledge now!
Join Anna and Emma On the Sofa as they discuss the important alliance the Macraes formed and their discussing the alliances of the Macraes and their important role in Scottish history. Find out how the MacRaes adopted Eilean Donan Castle as the seat of the clan. Uncover many of the famous faces linked to the illustrious clan, including the designer of the Police Box on the royal mile in Edinburgh.
Clan Motto: Fortitudine (With Fortitude)
