Clan MacAulay

Welcome back to A Clan A Day Podcast brought to you by bagtownclans.com. I'm your host, Colin MacDonald, and today we're diving into the history of Clan MacAulay—a clan shrouded in mystery, linked by legend to powerful Scottish families, yet also marked by its own fierce independence. The story of MacAulay spans centuries, touching on highland feuds, royal intrigue, and fascinating figures who shaped Scottish and even global history.

The origins of Clan MacAulay are widely debated. One theory, championed by historians like William Forbes Skene, places the clan among the seven clans of Siol Alpin, making them distant kin of the MacGregors. However, other sources suggest the MacAulays descended from the powerful Earls of Lennox, with their roots traced back to a noble family bearing the surname de Ardincaple.

Located in Dumbartonshire on the shores of Gare Loch, the MacAulays held lands in Ardincaple, a name forever tied to their identity. The clan’s early history is woven into the fabric of feudal Scotland. A key figure in the clan's formation is Aulay de Ardincaple, who, in the 16th century, was one of the first to adopt the name MacAulay, marking the clan’s official establishment. This shift from “de Ardincaple” to MacAulay symbolized the clan’s embrace of a Highland identity, as Aulay adopted a name that was more in keeping with the warrior tradition of a Scottish clan rather than the title of a landowner.

In 1591, one of the most significant documents in the clan’s history was signed—a bond of manrent, a kind of alliance, between MacAulay of Ardincaple and MacGregor of Glenstrae. By signing this bond, the MacAulays acknowledged themselves as cadets of Clan Gregor. This alliance served both practical and political purposes, as MacAulay sought protection from the fierce MacGregors. The bond acknowledged their shared ancestry as descendants of the legendary King Kenneth MacAlpin, thus reinforcing their connection to the prestigious Siol Alpin lineage. Despite this connection, when the MacGregors were outlawed in the early 1600s, the MacAulays cleverly distanced themselves from their allies, a move that likely saved them from the harsh repercussions the MacGregors faced. Under the protection of the Earls of Lennox, the MacAulays managed to avoid the full weight of the law that bore down on the MacGregors following the infamous Battle of Glen Fruin in 1603.

Like many Highland clans, the MacAulays were not strangers to conflict. They were often embroiled in bitter feuds with neighboring clans, including the Buchanans and Galbraiths. A particularly violent clash in 1590 saw Walter MacAulay killed by the Buchanans on the streets of Dumbarton. This bloody event was just one of many that highlighted the turbulent nature of clan life in medieval Scotland, where alliances shifted, and conflicts could erupt at a moment’s notice.

One of the most notable chiefs in the clan’s later history was Sir Aulay MacAulay, who played a pivotal role during the early 17th century. His strategic political maneuvering ensured that the clan retained its lands and status. Sir Aulay was deeply involved in the prosecution of the MacGregors when they were outlawed, likely in an effort to further distance his clan from their former allies and curry favor with the Scottish crown.

But the fortunes of Clan MacAulay began to decline in the 18th century. The extravagant lifestyles of successive chiefs drained the clan’s resources, and by 1767, the twelfth and last chief, Aulay MacAulay, had sold off the last of the clan’s lands, including the seat of Ardincaple itself, to the Duke of Argyll. After his death, the clan was left without a chief, and the line of MacAulay of Ardincaple came to an end.

Despite the fall of their fortunes, the MacAulays produced some remarkable figures in later centuries. Most famously, the family is connected to the renowned historian and politician, Thomas Babington Macaulay, Lord Macaulay, whose works like The History of England and Lays of Ancient Rome have left an indelible mark on English literature and historical writing. His father, Zachary Macaulay, was a key figure in the anti-slavery movement, working tirelessly for the abolition of slavery in the British Empire, and his efforts are memorialized with a monument in Westminster Abbey.

In the 20th century, as Scottish clans experienced a revival, the MacAulays sought to reclaim their identity. In 1998, a modern Clan MacAulay Association was formed, and efforts were made to elect a new clan chief. Although the Lord Lyon King of Arms did not recognize the chosen leader, the association continues to thrive, bringing together MacAulays from around the world under a shared heritage.

The history of Clan MacAulay is one of adaptation and survival. From their uncertain origins to their eventual decline, the MacAulays navigated the shifting politics and alliances of Scotland with a keen sense of strategy. Today, while they may no longer hold their ancestral lands, the MacAulays remain a proud symbol of resilience, embodying the complex and often tumultuous history of the Scottish clans.

Thank you for joining us on this episode of A Clan A Day Podcast. I’m Colin MacDonald, and I hope you’ve enjoyed this deep dive into the fascinating history of Clan MacAulay. Tune in next time as we explore another remarkable Scottish clan. Slàinte mhath!