MacGregor vs. Colquhoun

The tension between the MacGregor Clan and the Colquhoun clan began sometime in the early 16th century caused by continuous raiding that members of the MacGregor Clan were organizing in Colquhoun lands.  These men were said to be opportunists that saw the chance to plunder lands that were very difficult to protect.  It was estimated that the MacGregor raids may have killed as many as 140 men over the years, many unarmed.  One legend states that they had even killed 40 schoolboys who had come to watch one of the raids.

The tension between the clans came to a head in 1602 when the raids had become so bad that the Colquhoun chief appealed to James VI of Scotland.  In response James allowed the Colquhoun Clan to carry arms, which at the time were outlawed by an Act of Parliament.  This increased the tension between the two clans and on December 7th 1602, Duncan MacGregor led a band of eighty men to plunder houses in Glenfinlas, in Colquhoun territory, killing two men and stealing several hundred livestock.  The Colquhoun Clan once again appealed to the King who then granted the Colquhoun’s the power to repress crimes made against them and apprehend the MacGregor’s.  Upon hearing the news of the Colquhoun’s new powers, the leaders of the MacGregor Clan began to raise a fighting force.

In early 1603, led by Allaster MacGregor, a large group of MacGregor’s, along with members of Clan Cameron entered Colquhoun lands.  In response the Colquhoun chief gathered a large force to try and protect his lands from the MacGregor’s.  The two sides met on February 7th 1603 at Glen Fruin, a glen adjacent to Loch Lomond. It is believed that the Colquhoun side had 300 on horse back and 500 on foot and the MacGregor’s had, at most, 400 foot soldiers.

The battle took place on land unfavorable to horseback and the MacGregor’s were able to divide and surround the Colqhoun’s clan, forcing them into mossy ground, where their fighting men descended into disorder.  The Colqhoun’s were then forced to retreat losing up to 200 men while fighting their way out.

After the battle and the Colqhoun’s defeat, a very angry James VI decided to dismantle the MacGregor Clan.  On February 24, 1603 a warrant was signed that accused the MacGregor’s of attacking the Colquhoun’s. Two months later the King abolished the MacGregor name and any clan member that did not renounce the name was punished by death.  In 1604 the MacGregor Clan chief and eleven other clan members were hung, drawn and quartered at Mercat Cross in Edinburgh.

In 1784, over 180 years after the battle of Glen Fruin, the MacGregor’s were allowed to reclaim their clan name and were restored to British Citizens.  In the early 19th century the feud was officially put to an end when Sir James Colquhoun invited Sir John Murray MacGregor to visit the battle field at Glen Fruin. The Chiefs shook hands on the spot were the battle was held and Sir John danced a highland reel with Lady Colquhoun at the location.