Buchanan vs. MacLaren

The date of the Feud between Clan Buchanan of Leny and Clan MacLaren of Balquhidder, known as the circumstance at Sron Lainie, is up for debate.  Some associate this clan battle with the 11th or 12th century but most agree that the Buchanan Clan was not established in the area of the feud that early in the history of Scotland. It is much more likely that the feud took place in the 15th century during the reign of James V.

According to oral history the feud began at a fair in Kilmahog Scotland, specifically at the foot of the Pass of Leny.  One of the visitors to the fair was a member of the MacLaren Clan who was considered to be “innocent” or even dim-witted.  As he was strolling through the fair he came in contact with one of the Buchanans who, in jest, slapped his face with the tail of a salmon knocking his hat off his head.  Insulted by this act, the MacLaren man dared the Buchanan to do it again at the fair in Balquhidder, home of the MacLarens.

On the day of the fair in Balquhidder, the MacLaren’s were busy buying and selling and socializing among their kin, unaware that the Buchanans had mustered a group and were heading to meet up with them. In the early morning. on the day of the battle, the people of the town of Auchleskine observed a large group of men heading toward Balquhidder.  The MacLarens became aware of the group as they approached Ruskachan, Strathire, but were unaware of their objective.  As the group of Buchanans got closer, the dim-witted man recalled what happened at Kilmahog. He informed his clan members about the incident and the MacLarens rushed to gather their forces.  A firey cross, indicating that they were under attack, was sent around MacLaren country letting the clan members know they needed to prepare and assemble at Balquhidder.

The majority of MacLarens had not arrived in time for the initial Buchanan attack.  The Buchanans had the upper hand pushing the MacLarens back over a mile into their territory to a clergy house or manse located near the Old Parish Church in Balquhidder.  At that location the MacLarens were able to turn the battle around after one of the MacLarens supposedly saw his son cut down and killed. He yelled out the clan slogan “Craig Tuirc” before grabbing his claymore and furiously rushing towards the Buchanans.  His clansmen, joined by other local friends and neighbors, followed him and in a frenzie began cutting down the Buchanans.  Only two Buchanans escaped the slaughter by jumping into the Balvaig River at a deep pool called Linn nan Seicachan.  Both men were pursued by the Maclarens. The first man was caught and killed at Gartnafuaran and the final Buchanan was tracked down and killed at Sron Lainie. The incident was forever known as the circumstance at Sron Lainie due to  the location of the death of the final Buchanan.