Clan Douglas

Clan Douglas is a lowland Scottish Clan originating in the Lanarkshire district of Scotland. Legend states that the first chief of the clan was Sholto Douglas who fought along side the king of Scotland in 767. Many believe that the true progenitor of the clan was Theobaldus Flammatius who aquired land in Lanarkshire in exchange for services. The first recorded use of the surname Douglas was in 1179 when William Douglas witnessed a charter.

The motto of Clan Douglas is Jamais Arriere which means never behind. The clans crest features a salamander encircled in flames.

The historic seat of the Clan is Douglas Castle located in South Lanarkshire. Douglas Castle was originally built in the 13th century and was destroyed in 1307 during the Wars of Scottish Independence. The castle was rebuilt but was again sacked and destroyed in 1455 by James II. The castle was rebuilt in 1703 by Archibald Douglas, the Duke of Douglas. In 1755 the castle was destroyed by fire leaving only the corner tower. The castle was partially rebuilt in the late 1

8th century but never completed, it was eventually torn down in 1938. today, only the corner tower still stands.

The Clan Douglas Society of North America was formed in 1975 at the Grandfather Mountain Highland Games in Linville, North Carolina. The goal of the nonprofit organization is to publish a quarterly Clan newsletter and provide tent sponsorships at the numerous Scottish Games and Festivals. Lanarkshire, village of Douglas, is home to the Douglas Heritage Museum. The museum opened in 1993 in the Dower House of the old Castle of Douglas.