Clan Macfarlane

This clan is especially associated with the landscapes beyond Luss on Loch Lomond and to the north-west around Glen Sloy. In mediaeval Scotland Inveruglas was the headquarters of the chiefs of the clan, where their ruined stronghold can still be seen on an islet in the little bay.

From what was, in the clan’s heyday, a little loch behind Ben Vorlich above Inveruglas, they gained their slogan or war cry ‘Loch Sloy’ (The same loch became Scotland’s first post-war hydro-electric scheme – and even employed Italian prisoners of war in its contruction phase.)

The moon was once known as ‘Macfarlane’s Lantern’ around Loch Lomondside - because of the clan’s ‘cattle-lifting’ habits – but the Macfarlane chiefs were far more than just caterans (cattle-thieves). They married into Gaelic society. One chief, knighted by King James IV, fell at the Scottish defeat at Flodden in 1513. Another fought against the forces of Mary, Queen of Scots at the Battle of Langside, though his grandson, in turn, fought for King Charles I. For taking this King’s side, he had his castle at Inveruglas subsequently destroyed by Oliver Cromwell’s men. Ultimately, much of the clan’s lands were owned by the Colquhouns.