Chapter: The History and Legacy of Clan MacQuarrie

Overview of Clan MacQuarrie

Clan MacQuarrie is a Highland Scottish clan with deep roots in the Inner Hebrides, particularly the Isle of Ulva off the coast of Mull. Though smaller than some of Scotland's more famous clans like the MacDonalds or Campbells, the MacQuarries played an important role in Scottish Highland history for over 400 years. Their story is one of loyalty, bravery, and ultimately loss—a pattern shared by many Highland clans.

The clan's name comes from the Gaelic "MacGuaire," meaning "son of the proud one" or "son of Guaire." For centuries, the MacQuarries were known as fierce warriors and loyal allies, particularly to the powerful Clan MacLean. Their ancestral home on the Isle of Ulva became synonymous with the clan itself, and for generations, MacQuarrie chiefs ruled this small but beautiful island with its rocky shores and fertile lands.

What makes the MacQuarrie story particularly poignant is how it mirrors the larger tragedy of Highland culture. From their establishment as a recognized clan in the 1400s to the loss of their ancestral lands in 1794, the MacQuarries experienced the full arc of Highland clan life—from proud independence to devastating decline. Today, thousands of people around the world proudly claim MacQuarrie ancestry, keeping the clan's memory alive even though no chief leads them and their homeland is owned by others.

Origins and Early History

The Clan System Explained

To understand Clan MacQuarrie, you first need to understand what a Scottish clan actually was. The word "clan" comes from the Gaelic word "clann," meaning "children" or "family." A clan was essentially an extended family group that claimed descent from a common ancestor, though not everyone in the clan was actually blood-related.

Think of a clan like a small kingdom, but based more on family ties than just political power. At the top was the chief, who wasn't just a military leader but more like a father figure to the entire clan. Below him were tacksmen (sort of like managers who ran portions of clan land), then ordinary clansmen who farmed, fished, and fought when needed. Everyone had a role, and loyalty to the chief and clan was considered more important than loyalty to distant kings.

The clan system was strongest in the Scottish Highlands and Islands, where mountains and sea made it hard for Scotland's kings to enforce their authority. This geographic isolation allowed clans to develop their own laws, customs, and ways of life that were quite different from Lowland Scotland or England.

Clan MacQuarrie traced their ancestry back to Somerled, the famous Lord of the Isles who died in 1164. Somerled was part Norse and part Gaelic, and he carved out a powerful kingdom in the Western Isles of Scotland. Many clans claimed descent from Somerled, including the MacDonalds, MacRorys, and MacLeans. This shared ancestry created a web of relationships between clans—sometimes friendly, sometimes hostile, but always important.

Territory and Lands (Ulva and Surrounding Areas)

By around 1400, Clan MacQuarrie had firmly established themselves on the Isle of Ulva, a small island just off the west coast of the Isle of Mull. Ulva would be the MacQuarrie homeland for nearly 400 years, and the clan's identity became inseparable from this place.

Ulva isn't a large island—it's only about five miles long and two miles wide—but it had everything a Highland clan needed. The land was fertile enough for growing barley and oats, and for raising cattle and sheep. The surrounding seas provided fish, seals, and seaweed (which was valuable for fertilizing crops). The island had fresh water streams, some woodland, and natural harbors where boats could shelter from Atlantic storms.

The MacQuarrie chief's residence was on Ulva, though we don't know exactly what it looked like in the early centuries. It probably wasn't a grand stone castle like you might imagine—more likely it was a fortified tower house or a substantial timber hall, practical rather than fancy. What mattered wasn't luxury but the ability to house the chief's family, host other clan leaders, and defend against raiders.

The MacQuarries also controlled some lands on nearby Mull and had grazing rights on other small islands in the area. This gave them access to different resources and meant they weren't entirely dependent on Ulva alone. The sea was as important as the land—the MacQuarries were skilled sailors and their galleys (traditional Highland warships) allowed them to travel, trade, and fight throughout the Hebrides.

Relationship with Other Clans and the Lords of the Isles

In the medieval Highlands, no clan existed in isolation. You survived through alliances, and you protected yourself through feuds. For Clan MacQuarrie, their most important relationship was with Clan MacLean of Duart, whose chief controlled much of Mull and had ambitions throughout the Hebrides.

In 1452, the MacQuarries formalized their alliance with the MacLeans, essentially becoming loyal supporters and military allies. This relationship would define the MacQuarries for centuries. When the MacLeans went to war, the MacQuarries went with them. When the MacLeans supported a particular king or noble, the MacQuarries did too. This wasn't slavery—it was more like a military and political partnership where the smaller MacQuarrie clan gained the protection and support of the larger MacLean clan.

Both clans also had a relationship with the Lords of the Isles, the powerful MacDonald rulers who controlled much of western Scotland from the 1300s to the 1400s. The Lordship of the Isles was almost like a separate kingdom within Scotland, with its own laws, fleet, and diplomatic relationships with Ireland and England. The MacQuarries, like most Hebridean clans, owed allegiance to the Lord of the Isles.

This all changed in 1493 when the Scottish king, James IV, abolished the Lordship of the Isles, claiming he wanted to bring law and order to the Highlands. In reality, he saw the Lords of the Isles as a threat to royal power. The forfeiture of the Lordship threw Highland politics into chaos. Without this powerful central authority, clans had to fend for themselves more than ever. For the MacQuarries, this made their alliance with the MacLeans even more crucial.

The relationship wasn't always easy. Being allied with a powerful clan meant the MacQuarries sometimes had to fight in battles that weren't really their concern. They had to contribute men and resources to MacLean causes. But in the dangerous world of the Highlands, where clan feuds could turn deadly and powerful enemies could destroy a small clan, having strong allies was essential for survival.

Timeline of Major Events

Interactive Timeline from Origins to Present

The history of Clan MacQuarrie stretches across more than 600 years, from their establishment in the medieval period to their worldwide diaspora today. Understanding this timeline helps us see how the clan's fortunes rose and fell with the broader currents of Scottish history.

Medieval Period (1164-1500)

1164 - Somerled, the ancestor of many Highland clans including the MacQuarries, dies in battle at Renfrew. His descendants will go on to form various clans throughout the Hebrides.

1400 - Clan MacQuarrie is firmly established on the Isle of Ulva. By this time, they're recognized as a distinct clan with their own chief and territories.

1452 - The MacQuarries form a strong alliance with Clan MacLean of Duart. This relationship will shape MacQuarrie history for the next 300 years.

1493 - The Lordship of the Isles is forfeited to the Scottish crown, changing the political landscape of the Highlands forever.

The Era of Religious and Political Conflict (1500-1700)

1594 - MacQuarries fight at the Battle of Glenlivet, supporting Catholic earls against Protestant forces. This shows the clan getting involved in Scotland's religious conflicts.

1609 - The Statutes of Iona are imposed, forcing Highland chiefs to follow new rules set by the Scottish government, including educating their sons in the Lowlands and limiting their armed followers.

1615 - Official recognition of the MacQuarrie chief's authority over Ulva and surrounding territories. Despite increased government control, the clan's rights to their lands are acknowledged.

1644-1645 - MacQuarries participate in the Civil War battles of Inverlochy and Kilsyth, fighting alongside other Highland clans for the Royalist cause under the Marquess of Montrose.

The Jacobite Era (1700-1750)

This period was crucial for the MacQuarries and would ultimately lead to their downfall.

1715 - The MacQuarries support the First Jacobite Rising, attempting to restore the Stuart monarchy. They fight at the Battle of Sheriffmuir, which ends inconclusively.

1745 - Chief Allan MacQuarrie and his clansmen rally to support Prince Charles Edward Stuart (Bonnie Prince Charlie) in the Second Jacobite Rising. They fight at the Battle of Prestonpans, a major Jacobite victory.

1746 (April 16) - The Battle of Culloden. This is the turning point for the MacQuarries and all Highland culture. Chief Allan MacQuarrie fights bravely in this final, disastrous battle on Culloden Moor near Inverness. The Highland army is destroyed by government forces using superior tactics and artillery.

1746 - Shortly after Culloden, Chief Allan MacQuarrie dies. Whether from wounds received in battle or from the hardships of the aftermath, his death symbolizes the beginning of the end for Clan MacQuarrie as an independent force.

Decline and Diaspora (1750-1850)

1750s - The MacQuarrie estates face severe financial difficulties. The aftermath of Culloden, combined with changing economic conditions, makes it harder for the chiefs to maintain their traditional way of life.

1773 - The famous writer Samuel Johnson and his friend James Boswell visit the Hebrides and are entertained by the MacQuarrie chief on Ulva. Their writings preserve a glimpse of late clan life.

1794 - The 16th MacQuarrie chief is forced to sell Ulva, the ancestral island homeland. After nearly 400 years, the MacQuarries lose their lands. This is a devastating blow to clan identity.

1809 - Major-General Lachlan MacQuarrie is appointed Governor of New South Wales, Australia, offering a new chapter in MacQuarrie history.

1810-1821 - Lachlan MacQuarrie serves as governor of Australia, transforming the penal colony into a developing society. He becomes known as the "Father of Australia."

1824 - Lachlan MacQuarrie dies in London, the most famous MacQuarrie of his era, having achieved greatness far from his clan's lost homeland.

1830s-1850s - The MacQuarrie diaspora grows as clan members emigrate to Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the United States, seeking opportunities their homeland can no longer provide.

Modern Era (1850-Present)

1950s - The Clan MacQuarrie Society is formed, bringing together descendants to preserve clan history and maintain connections.

2000s-2020s - Regular international gatherings bring MacQuarrie descendants together from around the world. Digital heritage projects document clan history and genealogy.

2023 - Increased recognition of MacQuarrie heritage on Ulva with historical markers and cultural projects.

2024 - Digital platforms connect thousands of MacQuarrie descendants worldwide, preserving clan identity in the 21st century.

Key Dates in Clan History

While the full timeline above shows the complete picture, some dates were more significant than others in shaping Clan MacQuarrie's destiny:

1400 - Establishment on Ulva: This is when the MacQuarries truly became the MacQuarries, with their own recognized homeland.

1452 - MacLean Alliance: This alliance determined who the MacQuarries would fight beside for the next three centuries.

1746 - Culloden: The single most catastrophic day in Highland history, and the beginning of the end for the traditional clan system.

1794 - Loss of Ulva: When a clan loses its homeland, it loses a crucial part of its identity.

1810-1821 - Macquarrie's Governorship: Proof that MacQuarrie achievements could still be significant, even if the clan system itself was dying.

Battle Participation and Outcomes

The MacQuarries were warriors, and like all Highland clans, their history is marked by the battles they fought. Here are the major conflicts where MacQuarrie swords drew blood:

Battle of Glenlivet (1594) MacQuarries fought alongside Catholic earls against Protestant forces in Scotland's religious wars. The Catholic forces won this battle, but ultimately lost the larger conflict as Scotland became firmly Protestant.

English Civil War Battles (1644-1645) The MacQuarries supported the Royalist cause during Britain's civil wars, fighting at Inverlochy and Kilsyth. These were stunning Highland victories where the traditional Highland charge—warriors rushing forward with swords and shields—proved devastatingly effective. But these victories couldn't prevent the ultimate Royalist defeat.

Battle of Sheriffmuir (1715) During the first major Jacobite Rising, the MacQuarries fought at this indecisive battle. Both sides claimed victory, but the rebellion ultimately failed and its leaders fled to exile.

Battle of Prestonpans (1745) One of the great Jacobite victories, where Highland forces surprised and routed government troops. The MacQuarries participated in the devastating Highland charge that won the day in just fifteen minutes.

Battle of Culloden (1746) The final battle was a disaster. Instead of the traditional Highland charge working its magic, government forces under the Duke of Cumberland used disciplined musket fire and artillery to mow down the charging Highlanders. The MacQuarries fought bravely but suffered heavy casualties, and their chief died shortly after. This battle effectively ended the clan as a military force.

It's worth noting what these battles reveal about the MacQuarries: they were consistently on the losing side of history's major conflicts. They supported the Catholic cause (which failed), the Royalist cause (which failed), and the Jacobite cause (which failed twice). This wasn't because they were poor warriors—Highland fighting skills were respected and feared throughout Britain. Rather, they were loyal to causes and alliances that history ultimately rejected. That loyalty, so valued in Highland culture, contributed to their downfall.

The Chiefs of MacQuarrie

Chronological List of Chiefs

The chief of a clan wasn't just a military leader or landowner—he was seen as the father of his people, responsible for their welfare and their representative to the outside world. Unfortunately, we don't have complete records of all MacQuarrie chiefs, especially from the earlier centuries. Here's what we know:

Early Chiefs (1400s-1600s) The records from this period are incomplete. We know there was a continuous line of MacQuarrie chiefs ruling from Ulva, each one passing the chiefship to his son or nearest male relative. These chiefs would have spent their time managing clan lands, settling disputes among clansmen, leading warriors in battle, and maintaining relationships with neighboring clans—especially the MacLeans.

In 1615, official recognition was given to the MacQuarrie chief's authority over Ulva and surrounding territories. This recognition by the Scottish government shows that by this time, the MacQuarries were well-established and respected enough to have their rights formally acknowledged.

The Jacobite Era Chiefs (1700s) This is when our records become much clearer, partly because the Jacobite Risings forced the government to pay close attention to who was leading which clans.

Allan MacQuarrie (died 1746) - The most famous of the MacQuarrie chiefs, Allan led the clan during the fateful 1745 Rising. He was chief when Prince Charles Edward Stuart landed in Scotland and called on the clans to support him. Allan MacQuarrie didn't hesitate—he gathered his clansmen and marched to join the Prince. He fought at Prestonpans and followed the army into England. At Culloden, he and his men charged the government lines with traditional bravery. Whether he died in the battle itself or shortly after from wounds or hardship, his death marked a turning point. After Allan, no MacQuarrie chief would ever lead clansmen into battle again.

Later Chiefs (1750s-1790s) The chiefs who followed Allan faced very different challenges. Instead of leading warriors, they struggled to manage estates in an increasingly difficult economic environment. The traditional clan economy—based on warriors, cattle, and subsistence farming—was breaking down. The government had banned many Highland traditions and removed the chiefs' legal powers over their clansmen. These later chiefs were more like struggling landlords than mighty clan leaders.

The 16th Chief (ruled until 1794) The last chief to own Ulva faces a tragic end to the MacQuarrie presence on their ancestral island. Crushed by debts and unable to make the estate profitable in the new economic system, he was forced to sell Ulva in 1794. It's hard to imagine what this felt like—to be the chief who lost what fifteen chiefs before had managed to keep. After the sale, there's no clear record of the chiefship continuing in any meaningful way.

Notable Chiefs and Their Accomplishments

Allan MacQuarrie (died 1746) deserves the most attention as the most consequential MacQuarrie chief. What made Allan notable wasn't military genius—he was a competent but not exceptional commander. What made him notable was his unwavering loyalty to the Stuart cause and his clan's traditional values.

When Prince Charles landed in Scotland in 1745, many Highland chiefs hesitated. Some, like the MacLeods and MacDonalds of Sleat, refused to join the rising. Others joined reluctantly or late. But Allan MacQuarrie rallied to the Prince immediately, bringing his clansmen to fight for what he believed was the rightful royal family. This was the Highland code of loyalty in action—support your chief, and your chief supports his rightful king, no matter the personal cost.

At Culloden, facing defeat, Allan could have held back or fled early. Many did—there's no shame in surviving when your cause is clearly lost. But MacQuarrie tradition says he fought to the end. This devotion to duty, even when it meant likely death, exemplified Highland warrior culture at its finest and most tragic.

Lachlan MacQuarrie (1762-1824) wasn't a chief, but he's the most famous person to bear the MacQuarrie name. Born on Ulva to a tacksman family (the tacksmen were the clan gentry, below the chief but above common clansmen), young Lachlan grew up in the dying days of traditional clan life.

With no future on Ulva, Lachlan joined the British Army—a common path for young Highland men after Culloden. The British government, having destroyed the Highland military threat, was happy to harness Highland fighting skills for the empire. Lachlan served with distinction in North America, India, and Egypt, rising to the rank of Major-General.

In 1809, he was appointed Governor of New South Wales, Australia. At the time, Australia was primarily a penal colony where Britain sent convicted criminals. Previous governors had been harsh military men who saw the convicts as irredeemable criminals to be controlled through force.

Lachlan MacQuarrie was different. Perhaps influenced by Highland values of kinship and redemption, he believed that former convicts (called "emancipists") could become productive citizens. He gave them land grants, appointed some to government positions, and transformed the prison settlement into a developing colony with roads, towns, schools, and hospitals. He even designed the street plan for Sydney and founded new towns across New South Wales.

His policies were controversial—the wealthy free settlers resented being treated as equals with former convicts—but they worked. By the time Macquarrie left office in 1821, Australia was well on its way to becoming a real society rather than just a prison. Australians today call him the "Father of Australia," and numerous places bear his name: Macquarie University, Macquarie Island, the Macquarie River, Port Macquarie, and more.

For the MacQuarrie clan, Lachlan's success is bittersweet. He achieved far more than any chief could have hoped for in the 18th century, but he did it far from Scotland, in service to the same government that had destroyed his clan's way of life. His story shows both the end of one world and the beginning of another.

End of the Chiefship

After the sale of Ulva in 1794, the MacQuarrie chiefship effectively ended. Without the clan lands, there was nothing for a chief to rule over. The clansmen had scattered—some to other parts of Scotland, many overseas. There was no longer a MacQuarrie community for a chief to lead.

In some Scottish clans, the chiefship continued even after the loss of lands, with chiefs living elsewhere but maintaining their title and role as the symbolic head of a dispersed clan. But this didn't happen with the MacQuarries. Perhaps the last chief's sale of Ulva was too shameful, too final. Perhaps the remaining MacQuarries were too scattered and too busy surviving in new lands to maintain the old structures. Perhaps no one wanted to claim a title that no longer came with land, power, or even a community to lead.

Today, Clan MacQuarrie has no recognized chief. There are thousands of people worldwide with MacQuarrie ancestry, and organizations like the Clan MacQuarrie Society that preserve clan history and connect descendants. But there's no single person who can claim the title "Chief of Clan MacQuarrie." The chiefship died with the loss of Ulva, one of the clearest examples of how the destruction of Highland culture wasn't just political or economic—it was also deeply personal and final.

The Jacobite Period

The Jacobite Risings were probably the most important events in the MacQuarries' history, and understanding them requires understanding what the Jacobites were fighting for.

"Jacobite" comes from "Jacobus," the Latin form of "James." The Jacobites supported the claim of James VII of Scotland (James II of England) and his descendants to the British throne. James VII was a Catholic king who was overthrown in 1688 in what's called the "Glorious Revolution." His Protestant daughter Mary and her husband William of Orange took the throne instead.

Many Highlanders saw this as wrong. Their culture valued loyalty to the rightful heir more than religious or political considerations. If James was the legitimate king, his family should rule, regardless of religion or what Parliament wanted. This wasn't stupidity or blind fanaticism—it was about honor and the oath of loyalty. Highland culture was built on bonds of loyalty between chief and clan, and between subjects and king. Breaking such bonds was seen as dishonorable.

There's also a practical element. The new Protestant government in London tended to favor Lowland Scots and the Campbell clan (who supported the government). Many Highland chiefs saw supporting the Jacobite cause as defending Highland autonomy against southern interference.

MacQuarrie Involvement in the 1715 and 1745 Risings

The 1715 Rising

In 1715, the Earl of Mar raised the standard of rebellion for James Stuart (the "Old Pretender," son of the deposed James VII). Clan MacQuarrie, true to their Jacobite sympathies and following their MacLean allies, joined the rising.

The '15 Rising was poorly organized and poorly led. Mar was an indecisive commander, and the Jacobite forces never managed to coordinate their attacks effectively. At the Battle of Sheriffmuir, where the MacQuarries fought, neither side won a clear victory. The Jacobites held part of the field, but so did the government forces. Both sides claimed victory, but strategically, the battle was a failure for the Jacobites because they needed a decisive win to have any chance of success.

The rising collapsed after this, and Mar fled to France with the Old Pretender. The MacQuarries returned to Ulva, and while the government passed laws to disarm Highland clans and punish Jacobite supporters, these measures weren't strictly enforced in the following years. Life eventually returned to something like normal, though the MacQuarries' loyalty to the Stuart cause was now on official record.

The 1745 Rising

Thirty years later, Prince Charles Edward Stuart (the "Young Pretender" or "Bonnie Prince Charlie," son of the Old Pretender) landed in Scotland and raised his father's standard. This was the '45 Rising, and it would be far more dramatic—and more disastrous—than the '15.

Chief Allan MacQuarrie immediately rallied his clan to support the Prince. This wasn't a huge force—the MacQuarries were a small clan, and they could probably field only 150-200 fighting men at most. But in the Highland army, every clan contingent mattered, and the MacQuarries' reputation as fierce warriors made them valuable.

The MacQuarries marched with the Prince's army as it captured Edinburgh, defeated government forces at Prestonpans, and then marched deep into England, reaching as far as Derby—just 125 miles from London. At that point, with no sign of English support for the Jacobite cause and with government armies closing in, the Highland chiefs convinced the Prince to retreat back to Scotland.

The retreat was grueling. Winter in the Highlands, pursued by government forces, growing short of supplies—the initial adventure was turning into a nightmare. The MacQuarries, like all the Highland troops, endured incredible hardships during the retreat north. They fought a rear-guard action at Falkirk Muir in January 1746, achieving a victory that briefly raised spirits.

But everyone knew the end was coming. The Duke of Cumberland, son of King George II, was assembling a professional army to crush the rebellion once and for all.

Battle of Culloden and Its Aftermath

On April 16, 1746, on Culloden Moor near Inverness, the Jacobite and government armies finally met for the decisive battle.

Everything about Culloden was a disaster for the Highlanders. The ground was boggy and unsuitable for the Highland charge. The army was exhausted and hungry—many men had spent the previous night on a failed night march and hadn't eaten in days. The Prince's advisors chose to fight on open ground where government artillery would be most effective, rather than in broken terrain where Highland fighting tactics worked better.

Cumberland's army was larger, better fed, better armed, and better positioned. His infantry was disciplined and trained to counter the Highland charge. His artillery was expertly placed.

The Highland army, including the MacQuarries, was drawn up in their traditional formation—different clan regiments standing together, each under their own chiefs and banners. When the order came to charge, the Highlanders rushed forward as they had done at Prestonpans, at Falkirk, at Killiecrankie decades before, at Inverlochy a century before—the terrifying Highland charge that had won so many battles.

This time it failed utterly. Government artillery tore gaps in the charging lines. Musket fire, carefully disciplined and controlled, mowed down the Highlanders. Those who reached the government lines found infantry trained specifically to counter Highland tactics—using their muskets as clubs and bayonets to stop the swordsmen, working in pairs to defend each other.

The battle lasted less than an hour. When it was over, the Highland army was destroyed. Over 1,000 Jacobites lay dead or dying on the moor, compared to about 300 government casualties. The survivors scattered across the Highlands, hunted by Cumberland's troops, who gave no quarter and killed wounded Jacobites where they lay.

Chief Allan MacQuarrie was among those who fought and fell at Culloden. Whether he died on the battlefield itself or shortly after from wounds, disease, or hardship, his death symbolized the death of his clan's military power.

The aftermath was brutal. Cumberland earned the nickname "Butcher Cumberland" for his treatment of the defeated Highlanders. His troops hunted down survivors, burned Highland villages, stole cattle, and killed anyone suspected of Jacobite sympathies. Women were raped, children were left homeless, and the survivors were left to starve.

Impact on the Clan

The immediate impact of Culloden on the MacQuarries was devastating. They had lost their chief and many of their fighting men. The survivors returned to Ulva to find government troops patrolling the Highlands, looking for rebels to punish.

But the long-term impact was even worse, because the government decided that the only way to prevent future rebellions was to destroy Highland culture entirely.

In 1746, Parliament passed the Act of Proscription, which banned Highland dress. You could no longer wear the kilt, the plaid, or any other distinctly Highland clothing. The penalty for a first offense was six months in prison; for a second offense, transportation to the colonies for seven years. Imagine being told you can't wear your normal clothes—it's a direct assault on your identity and culture.

In 1747, the Heritable Jurisdictions Act abolished the traditional legal powers of Highland chiefs. Before this, a chief had been more than just a landowner—he was judge, lawgiver, and protector for his people. Now, those powers belonged to government-appointed sheriffs and courts. A chief was reduced to being merely a landlord.

Government troops enforced strict disarmament. Every weapon had to be surrendered. For a warrior culture where a man's sword was a symbol of his honor and his link to his ancestors, this was deeply humiliating.

These weren't temporary emergency measures—they were deliberate policies to break the Highland way of life. And they worked. Within a generation, the old clan system was dying. Chiefs became landlords interested in profit rather than fathers interested in their people's welfare. The clan economy, built on military service and cattle, gave way to commercial farming that had no room for most of the clan population.

For the MacQuarries specifically, the post-Culloden period meant:

Loss of Military Identity: Never again would the MacQuarries march to war as a clan. The warriors were dead, disarmed, or scattered.
Economic Pressure: Without the old chief's powers and with the traditional economy disrupted, the MacQuarrie chiefs faced mounting debts.
Cultural Erosion: Young MacQuarries growing up after Culloden couldn't wear Highland dress, carry weapons, or participate in many traditional practices. They were being taught to be ashamed of their heritage.
Political Isolation: Having fought for the losing side, the MacQuarries found themselves on the wrong side of the government and out of favor with those clans (like the Campbells) who had supported the winning side.

All of this set the stage for the ultimate disaster—the loss of Ulva in 1794. A clan that had survived for nearly 400 years couldn't survive the new world created after Culloden.

The Highland Clearances

If Culloden destroyed the Highland military system, the Highland Clearances destroyed the Highland people themselves. This period, from roughly the 1760s through the 1850s, saw massive forced emigration from the Highlands, as landlords (many of them the former clan chiefs) evicted their tenants to make way for more profitable uses of the land.

How the Clearances Affected Clan MacQuarrie

The Clearances affected different parts of the Highlands at different times and in different ways, but the underlying cause was the same everywhere: sheep were more profitable than people.

Traditional Highland agriculture was based on small-scale subsistence farming. Families lived in scattered settlements called clachans or in individual crofts, growing oats and barley, raising a few cattle, and supplementing their diet with fish and wild foods. It wasn't wealthy, but it sustained a population.

After Culloden, Highland landowners—including the former chiefs—started thinking more like businessmen and less like clan fathers. They noticed that sheep farming, especially raising sheep for wool, could be extremely profitable. But large-scale sheep farming required large areas of land without people on them. The solution: remove the people.

For the MacQuarries, this process happened in two stages. First, the MacQuarrie chiefs themselves lost their lands. The 16th chief, struggling with debts accumulated after Culloden and unable to make the estate profitable in the new economy, sold Ulva in 1794.

But the MacQuarrie clanspeople—the ordinary families who had lived on Ulva and surrounding areas for generations—didn't leave immediately. The new owner of Ulva initially kept some tenants. However, across the Hebrides and Highlands, the story was the same: new owners wanted the land for sheep, not for people.

The Clearances on Ulva and neighboring Mull weren't as brutal as some of the most infamous clearances (like those in Sutherland, where houses were burned with elderly people still inside). But they were still devastating. Families who had lived on the same land for generations were told to leave. Sometimes they were given a few weeks' notice; sometimes they were given none at all.

Where could they go? Some moved to coastal areas where they tried to make a living from fishing and kelp gathering (seaweed collected for industrial use). Kelp was briefly profitable, but that industry collapsed, leaving these relocated families in extreme poverty.

Many had no choice but to emigrate.

Emigration Patterns and Destinations

The MacQuarrie diaspora spread across the world, following patterns common to Highland emigration generally.

Canada

Canada, particularly the Maritime provinces (Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick) and Ontario, was a major destination. The British government sometimes assisted emigration to Canada, seeing it as a way to populate its North American colonies while solving the "problem" of surplus Highland population.

MacQuarrie families settled in Nova Scotia in particular, where Highland culture survived in a way it couldn't in Scotland itself. Communities of Gaelic speakers maintained traditional music, storytelling, and customs well into the 20th century. Even today, Cape Breton Island has people who can trace their ancestry back to specific Scottish clans and who preserve Highland traditions.

Australia

Australia became another major destination, especially after Lachlan Macquarrie's governorship raised awareness of opportunities there. Some MacQuarries emigrated voluntarily, while others were transported as convicts—sometimes for actual crimes, sometimes for minor offenses that would warrant a small fine today, but in the harsh post-Culloden legal environment resulted in transportation.

The MacQuarrie name became prestigious in Australia thanks to Lachlan Macquarrie's legacy, and descendants of the clan found opportunities in the growing colony that they never could have had in Scotland.

New Zealand

Scottish emigration to New Zealand came slightly later, primarily in the 1840s-1870s. The Otago and Southland regions of the South Island were heavily settled by Scots, and Highland surnames (including MacQuarrie) are common in that area's genealogies.

United States

America attracted Highland emigrants throughout this period. Some went to the established Highland settlements in North Carolina (where many Highlanders had settled before the American Revolution). Others went to new frontiers in the

Midwest and beyond. MacQuarrie families can be found in the genealogical records of states from New York to Illinois to California.

Migration Motivations

It's important to understand that this wasn't one single event but rather a long, painful process spanning decades. Some MacQuarries left in the 1790s when Ulva was sold. Others left during the Highland Potato Famine of the 1840s-1850s, when crop failures caused widespread starvation. Still others left gradually throughout this period as economic opportunities disappeared and landlords made it clear that there was no future for them in the Highlands.

For these emigrants, leaving meant abandoning everything familiar: the landscape they'd known all their lives, the graves of their ancestors, their language (Gaelic), their community, their culture. They left because staying meant starvation or destitution. This wasn't adventure—it was survival.

Many carried with them what they could: family possessions, some tools, seeds for planting, and most importantly, their memories and songs. Highland emigrants brought their music, their stories, their traditions, and their clan loyalties to new lands. Clan societies formed in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and America, allowing emigrants to maintain some connection to their heritage.

End of Clan Presence on Ulva

By the mid-1800s, the MacQuarrie presence on Ulva had effectively ended. The families that remained were tenants of non-MacQuarrie landlords, with no special connection to the island beyond living there.

The population of Ulva, which had probably been around 500-600 at its peak in the early 1800s, dropped dramatically. By 1841, about 600 people still lived on Ulva. By 1881, only 77 remained. By the early 20th century, fewer than 20 people lived on the island. Today, Ulva has a population of around 6 permanent residents.

What happened to the physical remains of MacQuarrie presence? The chief's house fell into ruin. The settlements where clanspeople lived were abandoned and gradually disappeared. Stone walls were reclaimed by nature. Fields returned to rough grazing. The landscape itself remembers the MacQuarries only through a few place names and archaeological traces.

In 1945, a memorial cairn was erected on Ulva to commemorate the MacQuarrie chiefs and the clan's connection to the island. It's a simple stone monument, but it represents an acknowledgment that something important was lost here.

In recent years, there's been increased interest in preserving what remains of MacQuarrie heritage on Ulva. Historical markers have been placed, and cultural projects document the clan's history. The current owners of Ulva (it's privately owned) have been generally supportive of heritage tourism and historical preservation. But nothing can bring back the living community that once called Ulva home.

For the MacQuarrie descendants scattered around the world, Ulva remains the ancestral homeland, even though none of them have lived there for generations. Clan MacQuarrie gatherings sometimes include visits to Ulva, where descendants walk the same paths their ancestors walked and stand on the shores where MacQuarrie galleys once landed. It's a pilgrimage to a place that's both home and foreign—home because it's where they came from, foreign because the community and culture that made it home are gone.

Daily Life and Culture

To really understand what was lost when the clan system ended, we need to understand what daily life was actually like for the MacQuarries in their heyday, before Culloden changed everything.

Highland society was hierarchical but not rigid. Everyone had a place, but there was more mobility and more direct relationship between levels than in feudal societies elsewhere in Europe.

The Chief

At the top was the chief, who was seen as the father of the clan. He wasn't an absolute monarch—his authority came partly from tradition and partly from his ability to command respect and loyalty. A weak or unpopular chief could find his authority challenged by other members of the chief's family or by the clan's warrior elite.

The chief's responsibilities included:

Protecting clan members from outside threats
Settling disputes within the clan
Leading the clan in war
Maintaining relationships with other clans
Managing clan lands and resources
Hosting gatherings and maintaining hospitality
Preserving clan traditions and genealogy

In return, the clan gave the chief loyalty, military service, and a share of their produce (rent, basically, but often paid in cattle, grain, or labor rather than money).

Tacksmen

Below the chief were the tacksmen (from the Gaelic "tacsmann"), who were usually relatives of the chief—sons, nephews, cousins. They held "tacks" (leases) of substantial portions of clan land, which they managed and from which they collected rents from the ordinary tenants below them.

Tacksmen were the clan's middle class—educated, often speaking both Gaelic and English (or Scots), well-armed, and respected. They formed the officer corps when the clan went to war. Lachlan Macquarrie, who later became Governor of Australia, came from a tacksman family—not the chiefly line, but still gentry.

Tacksmen also served as the social glue of the clan. They were close enough to the ordinary clanspeople to understand their concerns but close enough to the chief to have his ear. They organized work parties, settled minor disputes, and maintained order.

Warriors and Clansmen

The ordinary members of the clan—the clansmen—were mostly farmers, herders, and fishermen who could fight when needed. Not everyone was a warrior (women, children, the elderly, and the disabled obviously weren't expected to fight), but every able-bodied man was expected to answer the chief's call to arms.

These weren't professional soldiers. They were farmers who dropped their plows and picked up their swords when the chief needed them. Highland warfare was seasonal—you couldn't go raiding or fighting during planting or harvest times because everyone needed to be home working the land.

But don't mistake them for amateur soldiers. Highland fighting tactics were sophisticated and effective. The men trained regularly, and the culture valued martial skills highly. A man's reputation depended partly on his courage and skill in combat.

Women's Roles

Highland women had more independence and respect than women in many other European societies of the time. They managed households (which was complex and demanding work), worked in agriculture (especially during harvest), and maintained the cultural traditions of storytelling, song, and craft.

Noble women could inherit property and sometimes exercised political power. Ordinary women couldn't fight in battles (with very rare exceptions), but they weren't considered powerless or insignificant. The chief's wife, for example, had her own important role in maintaining hospitality, managing the chief's household, and sometimes acting as an advisor.

Bards and Craftspeople

Some people had specialized roles. Bards (poets and musicians) held honored positions, as they preserved clan history, composed songs celebrating the chief and clan achievements, and maintained the oral traditions that were crucial in a largely non-literate society.

Skilled craftspeople—blacksmiths, boat builders, weavers—also held respected positions. Their skills were essential to clan life, and they often had special arrangements with the chief, receiving land or support in exchange for their work.

Economic Activities (Farming, Fishing, Trade)

The MacQuarrie economy, like most Highland economies, was based on subsistence agriculture supplemented by fishing, hunting, and some trade.

Cattle

Cattle were the centerpiece of the Highland economy. They provided milk (for drinking and making butter and cheese), meat, leather, and perhaps most importantly, they were the primary form of wealth and currency. A man's status was measured partly by how many cattle he owned.

Highland cattle (which still exist today as a distinct breed with long horns and shaggy coats) were hardy animals that could survive on rough grazing that wouldn't support other breeds. They were relatively small compared to modern cattle but tough and adaptable.

Cattle raiding between clans was common and not always considered seriously criminal—more like a competitive sport with high stakes. Young men proved their courage by raiding neighboring clans' cattle, and success in cattle raiding brought honor and wealth. Of course, when your cattle were the ones being stolen, it was less sporting and more cause for revenge and feud.

Farming

Highland agriculture focused on oats (the main grain crop, used for making porridge and oatcakes—the staple foods) and barley (used for making ale and whisky). Some areas also grew rye and primitive forms of wheat, but oats were dominant because they grew well in the cool, wet Highland climate.

Farming methods were traditional and not very efficient by modern standards. The main system was called "runrig"—strips of land were assigned to different families each year by lot, which meant everyone shared the good land and the bad land fairly, but nobody had incentive to improve their specific strip since they might not have it next year.

Fields were fertilized with seaweed (collected from the shores), animal manure, and turf. Plowing was done with simple wooden plows pulled by horses or even by people if animals weren't available. Everything was done by hand—sowing, weeding, harvesting, threshing.

Yields were low by modern standards, and bad years meant hunger. Storage was a constant challenge—keeping grain dry and safe from rats and mold through a Scottish winter was difficult. Most families probably lived close to subsistence level most years and faced real hardship in bad years.

Fishing

Living on an island, the MacQuarries naturally relied heavily on fishing. The waters around Ulva provided:

Herring and mackerel (caught in large numbers and preserved by salting or smoking)
Cod and haddock
Shellfish (mussels, limpets, crabs)
Seals (hunted for their meat, oil, and skins)

Fishing was done from small boats called "currachs" (similar to Irish coracles—simple boats made from a wooden frame covered with hide or later with tarred canvas). Larger boats, including the famous Highland galleys (birlinns), were used for both fishing and transport.

Fishing wasn't just for food—fish oil was valuable for lamps and preserved fish could be traded.

Trade

The MacQuarries weren't isolated—they traded with other islands, with the mainland, and even with Lowland Scotland and beyond.

What did they trade?

Exports: Cattle (driven to markets in the Lowlands), fish (salted and dried), kelp (seaweed processed for use in making soap and glass—very profitable in the late 1700s and early 1800s), hides and leather, whisky
Imports: Things they couldn't make themselves—metal tools and weapons, salt (essential for preserving food), luxury goods for the chief (cloth, wine, fancy clothing)

Trade wasn't a huge part of the economy—most of what the clan needed, they produced themselves—but it was the connection to the wider world and a source of the cash or goods needed for things that couldn't be made locally.

Whisky

We can't talk about Highland economy without mentioning whisky. Every settlement made whisky—it was a way to preserve the value of barley (grain could rot, but whisky kept), a source of warmth and comfort in a harsh climate, and an important part of social occasions. Whisky was traded, given as gifts, and used almost like currency.

Much of this production was technically illegal (the government wanted to tax whisky production), so there was a long tradition of illicit distilling and smuggling. This wasn't seen as criminal by Highlanders—it was seen as outsmarting the government, which was always trying to regulate and tax Highland life.

Traditional Customs and Practices

Hospitality

Highland culture placed enormous emphasis on hospitality. A stranger arriving at your door was entitled to food, shelter, and protection, no questions asked. This wasn't just politeness—in a harsh environment where travel was dangerous, this custom saved lives. You helped travelers because someday you might be the traveler needing help.

The chief's house was expected to be open to any clan member who needed food or shelter. A chief who was stingy or who turned away people in need would lose respect quickly.

Fosterage

Highland nobles often fostered (raised) each other's children. A chief might send his son to be raised by a tacksman family, or sons of tacksmen might be raised in the chief's household. This created strong bonds between families and ensured that the next generation of leaders understood all levels of clan society.

Fosterage was taken very seriously. The bonds formed were considered as strong as blood relationships, and foster brothers owed each other loyalty and support for life.

Clan Gatherings

Regular gatherings brought the clan together for important occasions—celebrating victories, mourning deaths, making important decisions, or simply maintaining community bonds.

These gatherings included:

Feasting (whenever resources allowed, large communal meals were important social events)
Music and dancing
Athletic competitions (running, jumping, stone-throwing, wrestling—Highland games evolved from these traditional competitions)
Storytelling
Discussion of clan business

Death and Burial Customs

Death was marked by elaborate customs. The body would be washed and laid out, and the community would hold a wake—staying with the body through the night, telling stories about the deceased, and marking the passage with ritual.

Burial sites were important—often on small islands or in ancient churchyards. Being buried with your ancestors was important for maintaining the connection between past and present generations.

A chief's death was particularly significant. The funeral would be attended by members of the whole clan and representatives from allied clans. The chief's sword and other symbols of his authority would be ceremonially passed to his successor.

Language (Gaelic Usage)

For the MacQuarries and most Highland clans, Gaelic was the language of daily life. Scottish Gaelic (distinct from Irish Gaelic but related to it) was spoken by almost everyone in the Highlands and Islands until the 1700s.

Gaelic isn't just a different language—it represents a different way of thinking about and describing the world. It has intricate vocabulary for landscape features (there are dozens of words for different types of hills, streams, and coastal features), weather, and social relationships that don't translate easily into English.

After Culloden, the government actively worked to suppress Gaelic. The Statutes of Iona in 1609 had already required chiefs to educate their sons in English-speaking schools. After 1746, this policy intensified. Gaelic was banned in schools—children were punished for speaking it. Ministers were encouraged to preach in English. Government business was conducted only in English.

This linguistic suppression was cultural genocide. When you lose your language, you lose your ability to express your culture's unique concepts and worldview. You lose your poetry, your songs, your stories in their original form. Within a few generations, English became dominant even in the Highlands, with Gaelic surviving mainly in the most isolated areas and among older people.

For the MacQuarries, this meant that by the time of the diaspora in the 1800s, many emigrants spoke English as their primary language, with Gaelic as a declining second language. Their children, born in Canada or Australia, often didn't speak Gaelic at all.

Today, Scottish Gaelic is considered an endangered language. Efforts are being made to revive it, with Gaelic-medium schools and media, but it's spoken fluently by only about 58,000 people, mostly in the Outer Hebrides.

Music and Oral Traditions

Piping

The Highland bagpipes are famous worldwide, but in the clan period, they were serious business. The pipes were the war instrument—when the clan marched to battle, the piper went with them, playing marching tunes to keep spirits up and strike tunes during battle to inspire the warriors.

Each chief employed a hereditary piper, and these families passed down their musical knowledge through generations. Piping music (pìobaireachd or "ceol mòr"—the big music) was complex, formal, and took years to master. Different tunes had different purposes: marching, mourning, celebrating, announcing the chief's arrival.

Losing battles and chiefs meant losing pipers too. After Culloden, the bagpipes were banned as an instrument of war. The tradition survived, but changed—pipes became ceremonial and entertainment rather than military instruments.

Songs and Ballads

Music was central to Highland life. People sang while working (work songs helped coordinate group efforts like rowing boats or grinding grain), at celebrations, to commemorate events, to mourn deaths, and simply for entertainment.

Many songs were in the form of ballads telling stories—clan battles, love affairs, tragedies, legendary heroes. These songs preserved history in a society where most people couldn't read or write. A good singer was valued not just for their voice but for their memory—they were living libraries.

Women were particularly associated with certain types of songs, especially laments (songs of mourning) and lullabies. Some of the most powerful Gaelic poetry we have consists of laments composed by women for fallen chiefs or husbands.

Storytelling

Winter nights in the Highlands were long and dark. Entertainment came from storytelling. Professional storytellers (like bards) were respected, but everyone was expected to know and tell stories.

Stories fell into several categories:

Clan history: Tales of past chiefs, great battles, feuds with other clans, and notable events. These weren't just entertainment—they were how the clan's identity was maintained and passed down.
Legends and fairy tales: Stories of mythical creatures (fairies, water horses, selkies), ancient heroes (like Fionn mac Cumhaill and the Fianna), and magical events. These stories connected the clan to the deeper, older layers of Celtic mythology.
Genealogies: Knowing your ancestry was crucial. Bards and storytellers maintained elaborate family trees, often going back many generations, connecting the current chief to famous ancestors and ultimately to legendary founders.
Cautionary tales: Stories with moral lessons about the importance of courage, loyalty, hospitality, and honor, and the consequences of cowardice, betrayal, or breaking oaths.

Preservation

After the Highland Clearances, much of this oral tradition was at risk of being lost. Fortunately, in the 1800s and early 1900s, scholars began collecting Highland stories, songs, and traditions from the remaining Gaelic speakers. These collections (like Alexander Carmichael's "Carmina Gadelica") preserved much that would otherwise have been lost.

Today, some of these traditions are being revived. Highland games preserve the athletic competitions. Pipe bands keep piping alive. Gaelic choirs sing traditional songs. Storytelling festivals celebrate the oral tradition. But it's a revival, not an unbroken continuation—there was a gap, a break in transmission, when the old culture was suppressed and nearly destroyed.

Conclusion

The story of Clan MacQuarrie is, in many ways, the story of the Scottish Highlands in miniature. From their establishment on Ulva around 1400 to the loss of those lands in 1794, the MacQuarries experienced the full arc of Highland clan life: independence, pride, loyalty, and ultimately defeat and diaspora.

What can we learn from this history?

First, that loyalty has consequences. The MacQuarries' unwavering support for the Jacobite cause, while honorable by their cultural values, placed them on the wrong side of history. Their loyalty to the MacLeans and the Stuarts led them to Culloden and ultimately contributed to their destruction. This raises complex questions about when loyalty becomes self-destructive.

Second, that culture can be deliberately destroyed. What happened to Highland culture after Culloden wasn't accidental or natural evolution—it was a deliberate government policy to eliminate a way of life seen as dangerous. The bans on Highland dress, weapons, and even language were tools of cultural genocide. The Highland Clearances completed what Culloden began.

Third, that identity can survive displacement. Though Clan MacQuarrie lost its lands, its chief, and its cohesion as a community, the identity survived. Descendants around the world still identify as MacQuarries, research their genealogy, attend clan gatherings, and feel connection to an island most of them have never seen. This shows the remarkable resilience of cultural identity.

Finally, that historical memory matters. The cairn on Ulva, the clan societies, the books and websites documenting MacQuarrie history—all these represent efforts to ensure that what happened to the clan isn't forgotten. In a world that often treats history as irrelevant, the MacQuarries and their descendants insist that their story deserves to be remembered.

For those 15-year-old students reading this, the MacQuarrie story might seem like ancient history from a foreign country. But the themes are universal and relevant today: questions about loyalty versus survival, about cultural identity in the face of government pressure, about how communities respond to economic change, about what it means to belong to a group, and about how we preserve memory and identity across generations and across oceans.

The MacQuarries lost their land, their language, their way of life—but they didn't entirely lose themselves. Thousands of people today carry MacQuarrie blood and keep the name alive. That's both a tragedy and a triumph, and it's a story worth knowing.