Clan Buchan
Clan Buchan | |||
---|---|---|---|
Buchanach | |||
Motto | Non inferior secutus (Following not the inferior) | ||
Profile | |||
Region | Seat | Auchmacoy House | |
|
Clan Buchan is a Scottish clan of the Lowlands.[1] The clan are sometimes considered a branch of the Clan Comyn. The Buchan are of no relation to the Clan Buchanan despite their similar name.
History
Origins of the Clan
The name Buchan is derived from the district of Buchan, in the north east of Aberdeenshire and Banffshire.[1] The ancient Mormaerdom and Earldom of Buchan came into the hands of the Clan Comyn, but they later lost it after they were defeated by Robert the Bruce.[1] The title of Earl of Buchan then went to Alexander Stewart, Earl of Buchan, who was also known as the Wolf of Badenoch.[1] The geographical name of Buchan was used by notable inhabitants of the district even though they may not have had a provable connection to the Earls of Buchan.[1]
The historian, Black, lists one Ricardus de Buchan as a clerk to the bishopric of Aberdeen in 1207.[1] Before 1281 William Buchan held land in Aberdeen.[1] In 1296 Sir Thomas de Boghan appears in the Ragman Rolls giving homage to Edward I of England.[1] Sir Thomas's lands were around Edinburgh, and his seal includes an eight rayed figure which may represent the shining sun, which also forms part of the clan chief's crest.[1]
It is not known definitively when the Buchans gained their lands of Auchmacoy.[1] However, in 1446 Andrew Buchan of Achmakwy was amongst those appointed to settle the boundaries of the lands of St Peter's Hospital.[1] Auchmacoy is believed to have been in the possession of the family from the beginning of the 14th century.[1] However it was not until 1503 when Andrew Buchan, reckoned the second chief of Clan Buchan, received a charter for the lands from James IV of Scotland.[1]
17th century and Civil War
The Buchan Barons of Auchmacoy were staunch royalists and supporters of the
18th century and Jacobite risings
Thomas Buchan went into exile in France but he later returned to fight at the Battle of Sheriffmuir in 1715.[1] He died in 1721, still in communication with the exiled royals.[1]
Modern history
James Buchan, fourteenth of Auchmacoy, was recognised as chief of the name by
Perhaps the most famous Buchan was
Major General Ross Stuart Buchan, AO, was an Australian soldier. In his career, he served as a major on a tour in Vietnam and went on to become the General Officer Commanding Headquarters Training Command. During his Vietnam tour, a close friend, Major Peter Badcoe, was killed and subsequently posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross. The Sydney Morning Herald has a decent article online regarding his career.[2]
Following the passing of David Buchan in 2014, the title of Chief of Clan Buchan has passed to his son, Charles Buchan of Auchmacoy.
Tartan
Tartan image | Notes |
---|---|
![]() |
Ancient Buchan Tartan |
Septs
The clan has no official
See also
Notes and references
- ^ ISBN 0-00-470547-5.
- ^ "Model of a modern major-general". 25 April 2003.
- ISBN 0-7884-0137-8.