Clan Farquharson of Invercauld is a HIghland Scottish clan. The clan hails from Aberdeenshire and is a member of the Chattan Confederation.
Orgins of the Clan
Farquhar-from the Gaelic word 'fear' and 'char' meaning 'dear one.'
Fhionnlaigh-from the Gaelic 'fionn' and 'laoch' meaning 'bright warrior'
The name derives its name from Farquhar Shaw, 4th son of Alexander "Ciar" Mackintosh of Rothiemurchus, 5th Chief of the Clan Shaw, who settled in the Braes of Mar, the source of River Dee. His descendants took the name Farquharson.
16th Century & Anglo-Scottish Wars
Farquhar Shaw's son, Donald Farquharson, married Isobel Stewart, heiress of Invercauld, however, it was their son, Finla Mor who has become known as the first real Farquharson. He was killed during the Battle of Pinkie in 1547 ages 60, where he was the Kings Standard Bearer.
As the army descended toward the sea he was killed by a cannon ball fired from one of the enemy ships. His body lies interred in the church yard of Inveresk. The place is known to this day as the "Lang Highlandman's Grave." His widow, Beatrix Garden, also has a claim to remembrance having been an outstanding performer on the little harp or clársach. Queen Mary presented one of these instruments to her and this instrument is now preserved in the National Museum of Antiquities as one of two surviving examples of the musical instrument which Celtic Scotland shared with Ireland before the music of the bagpipe had achieved its full popularity and sophistication.
His nine sons ensured that the clan became numerous & influential. In 1595 the clan entered a bond of manrent with the Clan Mackintosh, so also associating themselves with the Chattan Confederation.
There developed many other branches of Farquharsons, notably the Farquharsons of Monaltrie and Inverey who followed Montrose and fought under Charles II at Worcester in 1651 where Charles was defeated.
Later that century, "Bonnie Dundee" had the Farquharsons' support for his forces -- including John, third Laird of Inverey, known as the Black Colonel. He is remembered in ballad and legend, and for his daring escape from the Hanoverians when he rode his horse up the dangerously sheer, craggy side of the Pass of Ballater.
At the end of the sixteenth century, the Erskines attempted to reclaim the Earldom of Mar. Jon Erskine, who styled himself Earl of Mar, built Braemar castle in 1628 to defend himself against the claims of the Farquharsons. The castle passed into the hands of the Farquharsons and remains the clan seat to this day.
17th Century, Clan Conflicts & Civil War
In 1673 a Skirmish took place between the Clan Farquharson and the Clan Mac Thomas. Of the six sons born from the clan Mac Thomas chief John & Robert, the eldest and fourth eldest respectively were killed in the skirmish at Drumgley on Jan. 28th 1673. The feud was as a result of the Mac Thomases allowing their cattle to pasture on the Farquharson's land. After the skirmish the Mac Thomases were fined, there was a crippling lawsuit made aginst them. After the chiefs death which followed the remaining sons were forced to sell their land.
The Farquharsons were staunch supporters of the House of Stuart and in 1689, John Farquharson of Inverey declared for John Graham of Claverhouse, Bonnie Dundee. He burned Braemar Castle and was a source of irritation to the government until his death in 1698.
Rising of 1745
During the rising of 1745, the chief of MacKintosh was Angus, who was an officer in the Black Watch, fighting against the Jacobites. His wife, however, was Anne, daughter of Farquharson of Invercauld, and she rallied the Clan MacKintosh to fight under Clan Chattan for the Jacobite cause. When Angus was captured at the Battle of Prestonpans, he was sent home to his wife. Anne greeted him with the words, "Your servant, Captain". He famously retorted, "Your servant, Colonel". From then on she has been known as Colonel Anne. After later saving Bonnie Prince Charlie from capture at one point, Colonel Anne was imprisoned at Inverness for six weeks.
In 1745 the Farquharsons joined Prince Charles and formed two battalions, one under Francis Farquharson of Monaltrie, "the Baron Ban", with 300 men and the other under Farquharson of Balmoral. In the Battle of Culloden, April 16, 1746 they occupied the centre of the line of battle with Clan Chattan along with the Camerons, Macleans and MacLachlans.
John Farquharson of Invercauld, 9th Chief, died in 1750 and was succeeded by his son James, 10th Chief, a Captain of Foot in the Hanoverian Army, who died in 1805. His only surviving child Catherine, by virtue of the Lyon Court Decree, 1815, assigning the chief arms and supporters, was head of the ventral or "stem" family of Farquharson of Invercauld and so was Chief of the Clan. She married captain James Ross, Royal Navy, who took the name Farquharson. She was succeeded by her son, James, who was succeeded by Alexander Haldane Farquharson of Invercauld, who died in 1936. His daughter, Mrs. Myrtle Farquharson of Invercauld was confirmed Chief by Lyon Court Decree on December 3, 1936. She, unfortunately, was killed in an air-raid in 1941.
The succession then passed to her nephew the present and 16th Chief of Clan Farquharson. Captain Alwyne Arthur Compton Farquharson of Invercauld was by Lyon Court in 1949 confirmed MacFionnlaidh. He served with distinction as a Captain in the Royal Scots Greys during World War Two. He resides at Invercauld Castle in Braemar on Royal Deeside.
Since 1949 the clan chief has been Captain Alwyne Compton Farquharson of Invercauld. His estate is famous for hosting the world famous Braemar Highland Gathering, a favorite with royalty since Queen Victoria's reign.
The Farquharson estate covers about 200,000 acres of forest and moor in the Grampian region in Aberdeenshire.
Slainte!
~Irish Goddess~
