Clan MacRae

Clan MacRae is a Highland Scottish Clan originating in the Wester Ross District of Scotland.  The surname is derived from the Gaelic name MacRaith that means “son of grace”.  It is believed that the MacRae’s came from Ireland and settled in Clunes Scotland sometime before the 13th century, which at the time was the territory of the Lord of Lovat.  After a violent dispute with the Fraser’s of Lovat the sons of the MacRae Chief left Clunes and much of the family settled in Kintail which, at the time, was controlled by the MacKenzie Clan.  The MacRae’s were welcomed by the MacKenzies due to the fact that they had shared a common ancestry with that clan.

The motto of the clan is fortitudine, which means “with fortitude”, and the clans crest features A cubit arm grasping a sword all Proper.

The historic seat of the clan is Eilean Donan Castle, located in Dornie, Scotland.  The castle was built in 1230 by Alexander II.  In 1520 the Macrae’s became constables of the Eilean Donan Castle on behalf of the MacKenzie Clan.  In 1539 The MacDonald’s of Sleat attempted to overtake the Castle.  The Macrae clan was able to successfully defend it. Duncan Macrae became a hero by killing the MacDonald chief with an arrow, bring the siege to an end.  Eilean Donan was eventually abandoned after a battle in 1719 between the Jacobite’s and Government soldiers.  Once the English captured it they used the gunpowder available in the castle to destroy it.  200 years later in the early 20th century Lt. Colonel John Macrae-Gilstrop bought the castle and spent 20 years reconstructing it.

The Clan Macrae is considered to be a “clan without a chief” due to the fact that attempts to identify one superior candidate were unsuccessful.  In 1909 Sir Colin MacRae attempted to have himself recognized as Clan Chief.  Colin was part of the Inverinate Branch of the clan but was blocked by John MacRae-Gilstrap, of the Conchra line.  Due to the infighting, the Lord Lyon dismissed the case leaving the position of chief vacant.

The Clan Macrae Society of North America was formed in the early 1970s by Hugh MacRae II.  Hugh sought permission from John MacRae of Conchra, and permission was granted on April 28th, 1973.  The first meeting of the society took place at the Grandfather Mountian Highland Games in Linville, NC on July 14th, 1973.