Maclaren Family Background

Maclaren from the clan Maclaren (also spelled MacLaurin or Laurin). The name of the clan MacLaren in Gaelic is "Labhrainn".

In 503 AD Erc, and his three sons Loarn, Fergus and Angus left the kingdom of Dalrodia in Northern Ireland and by disposing the Picts, formed a kingdom on the west coast of Scotland (Arglylshire).

The sons eventually moved on to settle in Perthshire and were assigned the districts Balquihidder and Strathearn and the lands of Bruach, Auchleskin and Stank.

The Maclarens were in the Battle of the Standard (1138 AD) and in 1296 swore fealty to Edward I. When the earldom of Strathearn was seized by the crown (1370 AD), the Maclarens were reduced to "kindly" or perpetual tenants. In 1508 it was deemed expedient that their holdings be changed and their lands set in feu, for the increase of police and augmentation of the kings rental. Yet the Maclarens stayed loyal to the crown.

The Maclarens were among the loyal clans that fought for James III at Sauchieburn in 1488. They also fought for James IV at Flodden (1513) and for Queen Mary at Pinkie in 1547. When not fighting for the crown they were engaged in frequent feuds with their neighbors the Buchanans and the Macgregors.

The Maclarens did have allies, the Murrays of Atholl and the Stewarts of Appin. Dugal Stewart of Appin, was the illegitimate child of John Stewart and a daughter of the MacLarens of Ardveche. When in need the Stewarts of Appin would assist the Maclarens, unfortunately to the death of Dugal. In the days of Rob Roy (200 years later) the Stewarts, with 200 men, did take back the lands the Macgregors stole.

The Maclarens were the strongest sept in Balquihidder, which was called "The country of the Maclarens". So numerous were they, that none dare enter the church until the Maclarens had taken their seats. This led to many a brawl at the church door and lives were sometimes lost in the consequence. In 1532 Sir John Maclaren, vicar of Balquihidder, was killed in one of these quarrels.

The rallying place of the clan Maclaren was Creag an Turic (The Boars Rock) which is a small hill with a very noticeable rock formation atop it, overlooking the valley. It is easy to see how "the boars rock" became a symbol of the clan and eventually find it’s way to the clans badge and motto.

Lord Thomas Jasper Maclaren, born to Jasper Dean Maclaren, brother to John Maclaren vicar of Balquihidder and the Lady Ella Marion Stuart. Lord Thomas was born and raised on the shores of Loch Voil, where he apprenticed as a carpenter under his father’s friend Ole Kittle. Ole, was a Regent in Norway but left his homeland when the Norwegian "Council of the Realm" was disbanded by the Danish King. Ole left Norway with his wife to live in northern Scotland due to political and family pressures as King Christian III put Norway under Danish rule. He and his family were taken in by the Maclaren Clan and befriended by Jasper Maclaren.

Ole had only daughters, all born in Scotland. Rebecca, the eldest had spent several of her adolescent years back in Norway with her Uncle to enhance her education. Rebecca and her Uncle Nels became very close. Nels managed to find a way to befriend the Danish Nobleman that came to take over Norwegian positions as officers of the law and quickly rose back to his previous station.

Upon Rebecca’s return to her father’s house in Scotland she was introduced to Lord Thomas Maclaren. They became close, courted and within a year Thomas asked Ole for her hand in marriage. The families could not have been happier about the union.

The Lady Rebecca with her Nordic blood proved to be a strong wife and mother bearing Thomas two children, Adregon and Courtney.

With the Carpentry Skills Ole had taught him, lands from his Father, and a sizable dowry from the Kittles, Lord Thomas built a Saw Mill and started a mercantile. With these, Lord Thomas built a profitable business and grew in wealth although the Maclaren family chose a more humble appearance, which gained him the respect and favor of the local Scot’s of Balquidder and beyond.

In 1556, the MacGregors raided 18 homes, slaughtered the families, including the Chief, and took possession of the lands. As a result, the Clan was unable to produce "legal" title to its lands. The Clan was then 'chiefless and landless'.

By chance in the spring of 1562, Queen Mary’s progression passed through Lord Thomas’s district. The court had no carpenter and sought assistance from Lord Thomas to repair the Queen’s broken bed. The Queen was pleased with his skill and asked if he would come into her service as a carpenter. Lord Thomas, seeing an opportunity to expand his contacts, gain political favor, and perhaps find a suitable noble husband for his only daughter, accepted the Queen’s offer. Leaving his thriving Mill and Mercantile business in the hands of his faithful younger brother Shawn Maclaren, Lord Thomas, took his family and went on progression with the Queen. His only son, Adregon, now 18 years of age, joined the Queens own Royal Guard to demonstrate the Maclarens loyalty to the crown. Courtney Maclaren (Lady Dragon) followed in her mother’s footsteps and studied in Norway with her Great Uncle Nels, she had particular interest in Dragon folklore and thus earned her nickname. She returned to Scotland when her family sent for her as they joined the Queen’s progression.

Lord Thomas hopes to gain the Queen’s favor and plead for Her to recognize and reinstate the Maclaren lands and titles. Lord Thomas, though not the clan chieftain is well respected by the clan, perhaps this may also gain him the title of Maclaren Chieftain. He and his family’s presence in court give the clan an ear into the inner workings of the government. Lord Thomas sees this as an opportunity to help protect the Maclaren clan from it’s bordering rivals, the Macgregors, Buchanans, and of course the ever looming threat of the English.

Much to his surprise and dismay he found a Macgregor also in the Queen’s royal guard seeking the Queen’s favor. This will undoubtedly lead to confrontation and perhaps bloodshed!