MOTTO 
Virtue Mine Honour = My Virtues are my Honor

HERITAGE 

The Clan MacLean is one of the oldest living Scottish Clans, with a rich history primarily centered around the Isle of Mull in Argyll and the Inner Hebrides.  The clan’s headquarters is Duart Castle, located on the Isle of Mull and serves as the seat of our chieftain, Sir Lachlan Hector Charles MacLean the 28th chief of the Clan MacLean.  Macleans’ and members of the clan’s septs are spread across world,  proudly wear our tartan and supporting our heritage.  Our battle cry is “Another for Hector” and our motto is “Virtue, Mine, Honour”.

​All Maclean, Maclaines, Maclanes, McLeans, whatever way they spell their name, probably descend from Gillean na Tuaigle, “Gillean of the Battle Axe” whose favorite weapon is now part of the MacLean crest. Gillean is believed to have lived on the Isle of Mull, an island off the west coast of Scotland. They first appeared in records in1326 as supporters of King Robert the Bruce and it is as followers of the Bruce’s ally, The Lord of the Isles. The MacDonalds. In other words. The MacLeans were the warriors for the MacDonalds. Over the years and MacLean sons had sons, their families extend over several areas of the west coast.  The MacLean chief has his castle, Duart, on the east coast of Mull. It was on a point that could see ships arriving from the mainland from north, east and south. To west was the Atlantic Ocean. The castle has been restored and updated over the years. Over the years as the Maclean chief has several sons, the younger sons would have to go out on their own and establish their families (other branches) on other parts of the western islands. The other biggest branch was a second son who went south on the isle of Mull and founded his branch the MacLaines of Lochbuie and Moy Castle. Other branches and castles were formed on the mainland including Morven, Oban, Ardnamurchan, and Adgour. Each of these separate areas soon founded their own chiefs. Like all clans the Maclean has servants, members and others who had special duties, jobs or positions in the greater clan. These families has separate names and are considered septs. The McFaddens were the jewelry makers. The Beatons were the healers or doctors. The Rankins were the bag pipers for the clan. Over the centuries because of the knowledge of the “warriors” of Maclean, they were part of many battles, armies for Scotland, and then latter for England and the British Empire. The various chiefs of the branches held high offices in the British army and government positions. Some of these chiefs were knighted by the British and some of these titles became hereditary. Today are current Chief is Sir Lachlan MacLean, Knight Baronet, 28th chief, and currently lives in the castle. Sir Lachlan has dedicated himself to the Clan Maclean Associations worldwide and to the preservation of its history and its ancestral sites.

​From this year's tent convenors:

The Clan MacLean tent is staffed each year by Cheryl McLean, Kameron McLean, and Wendi Johnson. (Pictured above) We hail from Spokane, WA, where we are active members of the Spokane Highland Games Committee. All three of us work in the education and insurance industries. Our hobbies include thrifting, spending time with family, and enjoying each other’s company over the years.
One of our most notable members of the Clan MacLean tent is Mr. McFox, whom we bring with us every year as a conversation starter and a source of fun and laughter. Each year upon our arrival in Hamilton, we eagerly anticipate reconnecting with clan members, both old and new. We particularly enjoy catching up with Joel Williams and hearing how he and his family have fared over the past year.

About our 2025 Honored Clan,

Clan MacLean

The 28th hereditary Chief of the Clan MacLean, Sir Lachlan Maclean, Bt, CVO, DL.

Bitterroot Celtic Games & Gathering
PO Box 1774 Hamilton MT 59840 US

406-274-8886

bitterrootcelticsociety@outlook.com

A 501(c)(3) non-profit # 46-5321460 

Duart Castle

Today the 28th hereditary chief of the Clan Maclean is Sir Lachlan Maclean, Bt, CVO, DL. Sir Lachlan is known as kind, humble, soft-spoken, and genuinely warm. He was born in 1942 to Lord Charles and Elizabeth Maclean, née Mann, in Windsor, Berkshire of southeast England; weeks later Sir Lachlan was taken to Duart because the western Highlands were safer than suburbs of London while World War II raged. He would spend much of his early years at Duart.

Sir Lachlan became the 12th Baronet of Duart and Morvern in 1990. He was appointed Commander of the Royal Victorian Order and Deputy Lieutenant of Argyll & Bute. Additionally, he is a Lieutenant in the Royal Company of Archers (the monarch’s historic body guard in Scotland); In this role he served as Silver Stick for Scotland during the 1999 state visit of Queen Elizabeth II for the opening of the Scottish Parliament.

A Graduate of Eton, Sir Lachlan attained the rank Major in the Scots Guards and was selected to serve in the Special Air Service (SAS). Among his classmates were 20 future government officials and politicians, 5 future judges, 4 members of royal households, and several future celebrities. Sir Lachlan served in combat operations for which he was awarded the General Service Medal and the the United Nations Medal.

Following his retirement from military at age 29, Sir Lachlan enjoyed a full career a corporate executive, and served on the Board of Trustees and as Secretary of the Robertson Trust, an independent charitable Scottish trust whose priorities are community-based care, health, education, art, and sport.

Keenly ware of the significant role the Macleans have played in Scotland and around the world throughout the last eight centuries, Sir Lachlan has worked to preserve the Clan’s history and historical sites. He was instrumental in creating the Clan Maclean Heritage Trust, and he continues lead the modern world-wide family the ancient clan has become.