Sir Rory Mor's Horn

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Rory Mor's horn in Dunvegan Castle, in the picture - John MacLeod the 29th chief of the clan who was the last chief to drink from the horn, draining it in 1 minute and 57 seconds
Photo of the Dunvegan Cup, Fairy Flag, and Sir Rory Mor's Horn, sometime before 1927.

Sir Rory Mor's Horn is a drinking horn, one of several heirlooms of the MacLeods of Dunvegan, chiefs of Clan MacLeod. Clan custom is that each successive chief is to drink a full measure of the horn in wine to prove his manhood.[1] The artwork on the horn has been dated to the 16th century, and by some as far back as the 10th century. The MacLeod chiefs have several other notable heirlooms kept at Dunvegan Castle, such as the Fairy Flag and the Dunvegan Cup (pictured right).

Description and custom

Patterned medallion.
Patterned medallion
Sir Rory Mor's Horn
Sir Rory Mor's Horn

Sir Rory Mor's Horn is a

Ruairidh Mòr MacLeòid (c. 1562–1626), the 15th chief of Clan MacLeod.[4]

There have been differing opinions concerning the age of the horn. In 1927, R. C. MacLeod declared his opinion that it dated from the 10th century. Professor Brögger, from Oslo, thought it was of Norse origin, dating from the 10th century. Professor Callander, from Edinburgh, considered it to be not unfamiliar with other objects of Scotland, and dated it to the 16th century.[3]

In 1906, R. C. MacLeod noted that the greater proportion of the horn had been filled in, and that it was "but a moderate drink the present day Chiefs have to

claret—which he did in one minute 57 seconds.[5][6]

Tradition

The Macleod's crest badge contains the bull's head and the motto "hold fast".

The

motto "hold fast".[10]

R.C. MacLeod noted another tradition concerning a bull and motto of the clan's chiefs (though not the drinking horn). The tradition runs that one day Tormod (c. 1509–1584), 12th chief of Clan MacLeod was being entertained by

Argyll, chief of Clan Campbell, at Inveraray Castle.[note 1] During his visit, the MacLeod chief learned that one of his clansmen was a convicted criminal who had condemned to be gored to death by a bull. The MacLeod chief appealed to Argyll, but the Campbell chief replied that it was too late and that nothing could save the MacLeod clansman. The MacLeod chief then sprang into the ring, armed with only his dirk, and attacked the bull. He grabbed hold of the bull's horns and cried out "hold fast!" and saved the clansman.[12]

The Skeabost Horn, which was the trophy awarded to the champions of the Southern League in the sport of shinty is based on the horn of Rory Mor. The Horn is no longer competed for but is in the possession of Jack Asher.

Notes

  1. ^ R. C. MacLeod considered Tormod as the 11th chief of the clan. The current view is that he was the 12th chief.[11]

References

  1. ^ MacLeod, F.T. 1912–1913: p. 115.
  2. ^ a b c MacLeod, R. C. 1906: pp. 46–47.
  3. ^ a b MacLeod, R.C. 1927: pp. 40–41.
  4. ^ "Sir Roderick Ruairidh Mor MACLEOD (XV Chief)". www.macleodgenealogy.org. Retrieved 13 August 2009.
  5. Telegraph.co.uk
    . 15 February 2007. Retrieved 13 August 2009.
  6. ^ "John MacLeod of MacLeod, 29th Chief of Clan MacLeod. 1935-2007". www.clan-macleod-scotland.org.uk. Retrieved 13 August 2009.
  7. ^ Matheson, William (18 November 1977). "The Ancestry of the MacLeods". www.macleodgenealogy.org. Archived from the original on 27 July 2011. Retrieved 18 August 2009.
  8. ^ Morrison, Alick (1986). "The Origin of Leod". www.macleodgenealogy.org. Archived from the original on 27 July 2011. Retrieved 18 August 2009.
  9. ^ "Malcolm Gillecaluim Macleod (III Chief)". www.macleodgenealogy.org. Archived from the original on 27 July 2011. Retrieved 26 August 2009.
  10. ^ MacLeod, R. C. 1927: pp. 39–42.
  11. ^ "Tormod [Norman] MACLEOD (XII Chief)". www.macleodgenealogy.org. Retrieved 26 August 2009.
  12. ^ MacLeod, R. C. 1927: pp. 107–108.

Sources

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