Siol Alpin

Siol Alpin, (translation from Gaelic: Seed of Alpin), is a family of seven Scottish clans that were thought to have been able to trace their decent from Alpin,Skene, pp. 258–260.] supposed father of Cináed mac Ailpín, King of the Picts, of whom the Scots tradition considered the first King of Scots.Johnston, Ian. [http://thescotsman.scotsman.com/index.cfm?id=1149902004 "First king of the Scots? Actually he was a Pict"] . "Scotsman.com". 2004-10-02. Retrieved on 2007-11-16] The seven clans that make up Siol Alpin are: Clan Grant, Clan Gregor, Clan MacAulay, Clan Macfie, Clan MacKinnon, Clan MacNab, and Clan MacQuarrie. Of these seven clans, Clan Gregor was considered by the nineteenth century historian, W. F. Skene, to have been the senior.

Historical examples of a Siol Alpin tradition

There are several historical examples showing the strength of the Siol Alpin tradition.

Clan Gregor and Clan Grant

The Siol Alpin tradition was so strong in the clans Gregor and Grant that in the early part of the eighteenth century the two clans met at Blair Atholl to discuss re-uniting them.Skene, pp. 254–258.] In the discussions, which lasted fourteen days, it was agreed that if the proscription against the surname "MacGregor" could be reversed then the new clan would take that name, otherwise "MacAlpin" of "Grant" would then be used. On the issue of the chiefship of the combined clan there was disagreement, and discussions eventually broke down. Though several Grants, including the Laird of Ballindalloch, "showed their loyalty to the ancient kinship by adding the MacGregor patronymic to their name". [http://www.electricscotland.com/webclans/dtog/grant2.html Grant] Retrieved on 2007-12-06]

Clan Gregor and Clan MacAulay

On May 27, 1591 Aulay MacAulay of Ardencaple and Alasdair MacGregor of Glenstrae entered into a bond of manrent. In the bond the two chiefs promised to aid each other against anyone but the King. Also, Ardencaple acknowledged being a cadet of the House of MacGregor, and promised to pay the MacGregor chief his "calp". (A "calp" was a tribute of cattle or the best eighth of a part of goods. [Wormald, p. 451.] The payment of the calp was a significant custom in Gaelic society; giving ones best animal to the person acknowledged as his Chief). [Campbell, (volume 2), p.18.] A passage from the bond runs: "Alexander M'Gregor of Glenstray on the ane part and Awly M'Cawley of Ardingapill on the other part understanding ourselfs and our name to be M'Calppins of auld and to be our just and trew surname".Irving, pp. 465–466.] From this statement Skene concluded that their was no doubt that the MacAulays claimed descent from Siol Alpin.Skene, pp. 264–265.]

Clan MacKinnon and Clan MacNab

On July 12 1606 Lauchlan MacKinnon of Strathairdle and Finlay Macnab of Bowaine, entered into a "bond of friendship". In the bond the two chiefs claimed to "come from ane house and one lineage", promising to lend aid to each other. This bond was seen as further proof, by Skene, that the MacKinnons were descended from Siol Alpin.

Clan Gregor and Clan MacKinnon

Another bond involving the MacKinnons, this time between the MacKinnons and MacGregors, has also been seen as proof on a Siol Alpin descent. On 1671, in Kilmorie, Lauchlan MacKinnon of Strahairdle and James Macgregor of Macgregor, entered into the bond, stating that the two chiefs descended "fra twa breethren of auld descent".Maclauchlan & Wilson & Keltie, pp. 256–258.]

Clan Grant and Clan MacKinnon

Following the failed Jacobite Rising of 1715, Iain Dubh, chief of Clan MacKinnon, lost his lands under the Act of Attainder.MacKinnon, p. 85.] His forfeited lands were then bought from the Government by the chief of Clan Grant and then handed over to Iain Dubh's heirs. The author, Charles MacKinnon, claims that there can be no reason that a chief, so far removed from the Isle of Skye, bought another clan's lands and then gave them back - other than a belief in common ancestry. And that the two clans belonged to the same family, Siol Alpin. [http://www.clangrant-us.org/siol-alpin.htm The Siol Alpin Clans] Retrieved on 2007-12-06]

Heraldic examples of the Siol Alpin tradition

The belief in their Alpinian descent is shown in the clan badges (sometimes known as plant badges) of the seven clans. Clan badges were worn in the bonnets of highlanders to distinguish friend from foe, and all seven clans share Scots Pine as their clan badge. In addition to the clan badges, the mottoes used within the crest badges of several of the clans allude to the Siol Alpin tradition. For instance, Clan Gregor: "'S Rioghal Mo Dhream" (translation from Gaelic: "Royal is My Race"); [http://www.clangregor.org/index.html Clan Gregor International] Retrieved 2007-10-24] Clan Macfie: "Pro Rege" (translation from Latin: "For the King"). [http://www.clanMacfiehomepage.org/ Clan Macfie] Retrieved on 2007-10-08] While the slogan of Clan MacKinnon is "Cuimhnich bas Alpein" (translation from Gaelic: "Remember the death of Alpin").MacKinnon, pp. 192–195.]

ee also

*Alpin
*Cináed mac Ailpín
*Scottish clans

Notes

References

;Works cited
*Campbell, Alastair. "A History of Clan Campbell; Volume 2, From Flodden To The Restoration". Edinburgh University Press, 2004. ISBN 9781902930183
*Irving, J. "The M'Aulays Of Ardincaple". "Notes and Queries: A Medium of Inter-Communication For Literary Men, Artists, Antiquaries, Genealogists, Etc.". (series 2, volume 9) London: Bell & Daldy, 1860.
*MacKinnon, Charles. "Scottish Highlanders". Barnes & Noble Publishing, 1995. ISBN 0880299509.
*Maclauchlan, Thomas. & Wilson, John. & Keltie, Sir John Scott. "A History of the Scottish Highlands, Highland Clans and Highland Regiments". (Volume 2), Edinburgh and London: A. Fullarton & Co., 1875.
*Skene, William Forbes. "The Highlanders of Scotland, Their Origin, History, And Antiquities". London: John Murray, 1837.
*Wormald, Jenny. "Lords and Men in Scotland: Bonds of Manrent, 1442-1603". Edinburgh: John Donald Publishers Ltd., 1985. ISBN 0 85976 127 4.