Clan Strachan

Clan Strachan is a highland Scottish clan originating in the Aberdeenshire region. It is believed that the surname Strachan is territorial and was taken from the lands of Strachan in Kincardineshire. The name itself derives for the Gaelic “Stath” which means valley, and “eachain” which means horse, therefore Strachan could be translated into “Valley of the horse”, The first recorded use of the surname was in the early 13th century when Ranulf de Strachan witness a charter. It is believed that the Strachans acquired their lands sometime in the last 12th century as direct vassals of the crown.

The clan motto is Non Timeo Sed Caveo, which translates into “I Fear Not But I Am Cautious”. The clans crest features a deer jumping, holding a thistle in its mouth.

The historic seat of Clan Strachan is Thornton Castle, located 15 miles south of the village of Strachan. Sir James Strachan acquired the castle in the 14th century after marrying the heiress of the Barony of Thornton. The Castle remained in the Strachan family until 1683 when James Strachan sold the castle to his father-in-law Robert Forbes. The castle passed from the Forbes to the Gardenstones and the Crombies. In 1893 Sir Thomas Thornton purchased the castle restoring the ownership to the original family. The Thornton family stilll owns the castle and the castle is currently available for rent.

The Clan’s last recognized chief, Admiral Sir Richard John Strachan, died in 1828 leaving no male heir. The Clan Strachan Society held and convention in 2014 with the purpose of recognizing Rob Strachan the rightful chief of the clan . The clan is now in a 10 year waiting period, to see if there are any other claimants to the chiefdom before the Lord Lyon Court will proclaim Rob Strachan Chief of the Clan.

The Strachan Clan Society was founded in 2005 as a charitable, educational and scientific organization. In 2012 The Lord Lyon Court granted arms to the society, making Clan Strachan a recognized amrmigerous Scottish Clan.