Clan MacAulay
Clan MacAulay International Gathering
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Ceud Mile Failte MacAmhlaidh gu Brath
Clan MacAulay has three distinct branches. They are the MacAulay's of Ardencaple, the MacAulay's of Lochbroom and Coigach, and the MacAulay's of Lewis.
The MacAulay's of Lewis come from a Celtic and Norse mixture that used the Celtic language and followed Celtic traditions. The earliest historical reference was to a Donald MacAulay of Lewis in 1610. Following a tradition of Calvinist ministry, the Reverend John MacAulay produced in his Grandson, Thomas, Lord MacAulay, one of the finest essayists and historians in England. Lord Thomas Babington MacAulay (1800 - 1859 Macaulay) is buried at Westminster Abbey in London in the famous "poet's corner" next to Byron, Shelley, Keates, and Alfred, Lord Tennyson. Lord Macaulay's father, Zachary Macaulay, was a businessman in Sierra Leon and an ardent abolitionist.
The MacAulay's of Lochbroom and Coigach were amongst the ancient inhabitants of Kintail. They were allied to Alexander II of Scotland (1214 - 1249) who granted them land in Lochbroom and Coigach for loyal services to the King. Their saga is closely entwined with Clan MacKenzie of Kintail whose stronghold Eilean Donan Castle was commanded and defended by Duncan MacAulay against the attacks of William, Earl of Ross. They also fought under King Alexander III against King Haco of Norway who invaded Ayrshire on October 2, 1262. Alongside of them in the thick of battle were their clansmen, the Ardencaple MacAulay's.
Aulay MacAulay of the Ardencaple MacAulay's first appeared in documents in 1296. In 1587, Sir Aulay MacAulay of Ardencaple is included in the roll of landlords of Gaeldom, as a principal vassal of the earldom of Lennox. In May, 1591, Sir Aulay MacAulay entered into a formal bond of friendship (alliance) with MacGreggor of Glenstrae recognizing that Clan MacAulay was a cadet clan of Clan Greggor. MacAulay folklore tells of the times that Rob Roy (MacGreggor) stayed with the MacAulay's of Ardencaple to avoid capture by the authorities. Clan MacAulay's dress tartan is very similar to that of Clan Greggor.
Castle Ardencaple was on a hillside near the town of Helensburgh, Scotland. The remaining battle tower overlooks an inlet to the Firth of Clyde on one side and the shore of Loch Lomond on the other. The immediate area of Ardencaple is now HM Naval dependent's housing for the nearby Faslane submarine base. Loch Lomond and Helensburgh lie about 25 km northwest of Glasgow, Scotland.
