Frequently Asked Questions About Clan MacQuarrie

This page answers common questions about Clan MacQuarrie, their history, heritage, and legacy. Questions are organized by topic to help you find what you're looking for.

Basic Clan Information

1. What does the name "MacQuarrie" mean?

The name MacQuarrie comes from the Gaelic "Mac Guaire," which means "son of Guaire" or "son of the proud one." The personal name Guaire derives from an ancient Gaelic word meaning "noble" or "proud."

2. How many ways can you spell MacQuarrie?

There are over 100 documented spelling variations of MacQuarrie! Common ones include MacQuarrie, McQuarrie, MacQuarie, Quarry, and Wharrie. The spelling varied because the name was originally Gaelic and was written down by English-speaking clerks who spelled it phonetically.

3. Where did Clan MacQuarrie come from originally?

Clan MacQuarrie originated in the Inner Hebrides of Scotland, specifically on the Isle of Ulva and surrounding islands off the west coast of Mull. They established themselves there around 1400 CE.

4. How large was Clan MacQuarrie compared to other clans?

MacQuarrie was a small clan. At their peak, they could probably field only 150-200 fighting men, compared to major clans like the Campbells who could field thousands. Their territory of Ulva was about 5,000 acres—tiny compared to mainland clan territories.

5. When was Clan MacQuarrie most powerful?

Clan MacQuarrie was most powerful during the 1500s and 1600s, when they controlled Ulva and had strong alliances with Clan MacLean. They maintained independence for nearly 400 years until losing their lands in 1794.

Clan Territory and Geography

6. What is the Isle of Ulva like?

Ulva is a small island about 4.5 miles long and 2 miles wide, located just off the west coast of Mull in Scotland's Inner Hebrides. It has rocky coastlines, rolling hills, moorland, and beautiful but harsh landscapes shaped by the Atlantic Ocean.

7. How do you get to Ulva today?

You take a ferry from Oban to Mull (45 minutes), drive across Mull (45 minutes), then take a small passenger ferry across the narrow strait to Ulva (5 minutes). The small ferry only operates during daylight hours and in good weather.

8. Who owns Ulva now?

Ulva is privately owned. It's no longer owned by the MacQuarrie clan—they lost ownership in 1794. The current owners generally welcome heritage visitors to explore the island respectfully.

9. How many people live on Ulva today?

Only about 5-10 people live permanently on Ulva today. At its peak in the late 1700s, the island supported 600-850 people. This dramatic population collapse happened due to the Highland Clearances.

10. What other territories did the MacQuarries control?

Besides Ulva, the MacQuarries had some lands on nearby Mull and possibly controlled or had influence over smaller nearby islands like Inch Kenneth. Their maritime territory included the waters around these islands.

Clan History

11. When did Clan MacQuarrie lose their lands?

The MacQuarrie chief was forced to sell Ulva in 1794 due to mounting debts. This ended nearly 400 years of MacQuarrie ownership of their ancestral homeland.

12. What is the Battle of Culloden?

Culloden was the final battle of the 1745 Jacobite Rising, fought on April 16, 1746, near Inverness. The Jacobite Highland army was crushed by government forces. Chief Allan MacQuarrie fought there and died shortly after, marking a turning point for the clan.

13. Why did the MacQuarries support the Jacobites?

The MacQuarries supported the Jacobite cause (trying to restore the Stuart monarchy) because of Highland cultural values emphasizing loyalty to the rightful king, their alliance with the pro-Jacobite MacLeans, and their resistance to government interference in Highland life.

14. What were the Highland Clearances?

The Highland Clearances were a period from the 1760s to 1850s when landlords forcibly evicted tenant farmers from their lands to make way for more profitable sheep farming. Thousands of Highlanders, including many MacQuarries, were forced to emigrate.

15. Who was the last MacQuarrie chief?

The 16th MacQuarrie chief was the last to own Ulva. He sold the island in 1794. After this, there's no clear record of the chiefship continuing, and today Clan MacQuarrie has no recognized chief.

16. What happened to Chief Allan MacQuarrie at Culloden?

Chief Allan MacQuarrie led his clansmen at the Battle of Culloden in 1746. He died either during the battle or shortly afterward from wounds or hardship. His death symbolized the end of the clan's military power and independence.

17. When did the MacQuarries first settle on Ulva?

The MacQuarries were firmly established on Ulva by around 1400 CE. They may have been there earlier, but this is when historical records clearly show them as the recognized owners and rulers of the island.

18. What was the clan's relationship with Clan MacLean?

The MacQuarries formed a strong alliance with Clan MacLean of Duart in 1452. This relationship defined MacQuarrie history—when the MacLeans went to war, the MacQuarries fought alongside them. The alliance provided protection and political support for the smaller clan.

19. Did the MacQuarries fight in any major battles besides Culloden?

Yes! The MacQuarries fought at the Battle of Glenlivet (1594), Inverlochy and Kilsyth during the English Civil War (1644-1645), Sheriffmuir (1715), and Prestonpans (1745), among others. They were known as fierce warriors.

20. What happened after the MacQuarries lost Ulva?

After losing Ulva in 1794, the clan scattered. Some remained in Scotland in poverty, but many emigrated to Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the United States seeking better opportunities. The clan as an organized community essentially ended.

Clan Symbols and Identity

21. What is the MacQuarrie tartan?

The MacQuarrie tartan is a pattern of red, green, black, and yellow lines creating a distinctive plaid. Like many clan tartans, the exact historical authenticity is debated, but it's recognized today as the official MacQuarrie pattern.

22. What is the clan motto?

The MacQuarrie clan motto is "An t-Arm breac dearg," which is Gaelic for "The red tartaned army." This refers to the distinctive appearance of MacQuarrie warriors in their clan colors.

23. What is the clan plant badge?

The traditional MacQuarrie plant badge is pine, though some sources mention other plants. Clan members would wear sprigs of pine in their bonnets at gatherings as a recognition symbol.

24. Can anyone wear the MacQuarrie tartan?

Generally, anyone with MacQuarrie ancestry can wear the tartan. Some people believe tartans should only be worn by clan members, while others see them as celebratory of Scottish heritage generally. If you have MacQuarrie ancestry, you're certainly entitled to wear it.

25. What does the MacQuarrie coat of arms look like?

The MacQuarrie coat of arms features heraldic symbols associated with the clan. However, technically only the chief can use the full coat of arms. Clan members can use the clan crest badge, which shows the clan symbol.

Daily Life and Culture

26. What language did the MacQuarries speak?

The MacQuarries spoke Scottish Gaelic as their everyday language. Some chiefs and educated clan members might also have spoken English or Scots, especially for dealings with the government, but Gaelic was the language of home and community.

27. What did MacQuarries eat?

MacQuarries ate oats (as porridge and bannocks), barley, fish (fresh and preserved), shellfish, dairy products (milk, butter, cheese), occasional meat from cattle or sheep, seaweed, and wild plants. The diet was simple but nutritious, though monotonous by modern standards.

28. What were MacQuarrie houses like?

Most MacQuarries lived in blackhouses—low stone cottages with thick walls, small windows, and thatched roofs. Families often shared these one-room dwellings with their animals during winter for warmth. The chief's residence was larger but still modest by modern standards.

29. How did MacQuarries make money?

MacQuarries practiced mixed farming—growing oats and barley, raising cattle and sheep, and fishing. They traded cattle, fish (especially salted herring), kelp (seaweed processed for soap and glass making), and wool. Most were subsistence farmers, not wealthy.

30. What was the clan system?

The clan system was the social organization of Highland Scotland. A clan was an extended family group led by a chief, with tacksmen (gentry) below him and ordinary clansmen at the base. Everyone owed loyalty to the chief, who acted as both military leader and father figure.

31. What role did women play in the clan?

Highland women managed households, worked in agriculture, maintained cultural traditions through storytelling and song, and sometimes exercised political influence. They had more independence than women in many other European societies of the time, though they couldn't typically be warriors or chiefs.

32. Did MacQuarries have any special skills?

MacQuarries were skilled sailors and fishermen due to their island location. They were also known as fierce warriors and practiced traditional Highland fighting techniques. Like most islanders, they were expert at surviving in harsh maritime conditions.

33. What was a typical day like for a MacQuarrie clan member?

Days centered on survival work: farming (planting, weeding, harvesting), caring for livestock, fishing, gathering seaweed for fertilizer, cutting peat for fuel, maintaining buildings and tools, spinning wool, and preparing food. Life was physically demanding with little leisure time.

34. What did MacQuarries do for entertainment?

Entertainment included music (bagpipes, singing), storytelling, dancing at gatherings, athletic competitions (running, wrestling, stone-throwing), and communal feasts when resources allowed. Long winter nights were spent telling stories that preserved clan history.

35. What kind of music did the MacQuarries have?

MacQuarries had piping music (bagpipes), singing (work songs, ballads, laments), and possibly fiddle music. Music accompanied work, celebrations, mourning, and warfare. Songs in Gaelic preserved clan history and cultural traditions.

Genealogy and Research

Start by researching your family tree back through your parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents. Look for surnames that are MacQuarrie variants. Check if your ancestors came from Scotland, especially the Hebrides. Consider DNA testing to find genetic connections.

37. What are the most common MacQuarrie surname variants?

The most common variants include MacQuarrie, MacQuarie, McQuarrie, McQuarie, Quarry, MacWharrie, Wharrie, Corry, Gurr, and MacGuire. But there are over 100 documented spellings, some very different from the original.

38. Where can I research MacQuarrie ancestry?

Start with Scotland's People (scotlandspeople.gov.uk) for Scottish records, Ancestry.com and FamilySearch.org for international records, and the National Records of Scotland for in-depth research. The Clan MacQuarrie Society can also help connect you with other researchers.

39. Should I take a DNA test for clan research?

DNA testing can be very helpful, especially Y-DNA testing for males tracing the paternal line. Autosomal DNA tests (like Ancestry DNA) help find living relatives who might share research. Combine DNA testing with traditional genealogical research for best results.

Not necessarily. While many MacQuarries descend from the Ulva chiefs, some people adopted the name through different routes—affiliated families who took the clan name, or unrelated families with similar-sounding names. DNA testing can help determine actual genetic relationships.

The Jacobite Period

41. What were the Jacobite Risings?

The Jacobite Risings were rebellions attempting to restore the Stuart family to the British throne. The main risings were in 1715 and 1745. Many Highland clans, including the MacQuarries, supported these rebellions because they valued loyalty to what they saw as the rightful royal line.

42. Who was Bonnie Prince Charlie?

"Bonnie Prince Charlie" was Charles Edward Stuart (1720-1788), grandson of the deposed King James VII. He led the 1745 Jacobite Rising, landing in Scotland and rallying Highland clans to his cause. After defeat at Culloden, he fled to France.

43. Why did the Jacobites lose at Culloden?

The Jacobites lost due to poor choice of battlefield (open moorland favored government artillery), exhausted and hungry troops, superior government tactics designed specifically to counter Highland fighting style, and better-equipped government forces.

44. What happened to Highlanders after Culloden?

The government hunted down survivors, executed many, imprisoned others, and passed laws banning Highland dress, weapons, and the chiefs' legal powers. The traditional clan system was systematically destroyed, leading to massive cultural and social change.

45. Did any MacQuarries survive Culloden?

Yes, though Chief Allan MacQuarrie died. Some clansmen survived and returned to Ulva, but they faced a changed world where the clan system was being destroyed and economic pressures were mounting.

Famous MacQuarries

46. Who was Lachlan Macquarie?

Lachlan Macquarie (1762-1824) was born on Ulva to a tacksman family. He became a British Army officer and was appointed Governor of New South Wales, Australia (1810-1821). He transformed Australia from a penal colony into a developing society and is called the "Father of Australia."

47. Why is Lachlan Macquarie important to Australia?

As governor, Macquarie believed former convicts could become productive citizens. He gave them land, appointed some to government positions, built infrastructure (roads, towns, hospitals, schools), and designed Sydney's street plan. His progressive policies shaped modern Australia.

48. Are there places named after Lachlan Macquarie?

Yes! In Australia: Macquarie University, Macquarie Island, the Macquarie River, Port Macquarie, and many streets and buildings. His name is everywhere in Australian geography and institutions.

49. Were any MacQuarries famous besides Lachlan Macquarie?

While Lachlan is by far the most famous, various MacQuarrie descendants achieved success in their adopted countries as farmers, businesspeople, soldiers, and community leaders. But none reached Lachlan's level of historical significance.

50. Did Lachlan Macquarie ever return to Ulva?

Lachlan visited Scotland after his Australian service but spent most of his later life in London. He died in London in 1824. While he maintained connections to Scotland, his life's work was in Australia, far from his clan's homeland.

MacQuarrie Diaspora

51. Where did MacQuarries emigrate to?

MacQuarries emigrated primarily to Canada (especially Nova Scotia), Australia, New Zealand, and the United States. These destinations offered land and opportunities that Scotland could no longer provide after the loss of Ulva and the Highland Clearances.

52. When did most MacQuarries leave Scotland?

Major emigration occurred in waves: the 1790s after Ulva's sale, the 1830s-1850s during the Highland Clearances and potato famine, and continuing into the early 1900s as economic opportunities in Scotland remained limited.

53. How did MacQuarries maintain their identity after emigrating?

Emigrants maintained identity through clan societies, gathering at Highland Games, preserving Gaelic songs and stories, passing down family histories, and later through genealogical research and DNA testing that connected dispersed descendants.

54. Are there MacQuarrie clan societies today?

Yes! The Clan MacQuarrie Society and various regional MacQuarrie family associations bring descendants together, preserve clan history, organize gatherings, and maintain connections between MacQuarries worldwide.

55. How many MacQuarrie descendants are there today?

It's impossible to know exactly, but there are likely tens of thousands of people worldwide with MacQuarrie ancestry. Many don't know about their connection because the name changed or family history was lost over generations.

Clan Warfare and Military History

56. What weapons did MacQuarrie warriors use?

MacQuarrie warriors used traditional Highland weapons: the claymore (large two-handed sword), dirk (long dagger), targe (small round shield), and later muskets. Some might have used bows or spears in earlier periods.

57. What was the Highland charge?

The Highland charge was a terrifying battle tactic where warriors rushed forward in a screaming mass, firing muskets once, then attacking with swords and shields. It often broke enemy lines through shock and speed, but failed at Culloden against prepared government forces.

58. How were MacQuarrie warriors trained?

Training was informal but constant. Young men practiced fighting skills, learned from veterans, and developed strength through daily physical labor. The culture valued martial prowess, and men were expected to be ready to fight when the chief called.

59. Did MacQuarries have a war cry?

Many clans had war cries (called "slogans" in Gaelic), though specific MacQuarrie war cries aren't well-documented in surviving records. These cries served to identify your side in the confusion of battle and intimidate enemies.

60. Were there ever MacQuarrie women warriors?

Highland warfare was almost exclusively male. Women supported warfare through maintaining the home economy while men fought, but didn't typically serve as fighters themselves. However, women could be fierce defenders of their homes if necessary.

Clan Culture and Traditions

61. What is the Scottish Gaelic language like?

Scottish Gaelic is a Celtic language related to Irish Gaelic but distinct from it. It has sounds that don't exist in English, intricate grammar, and rich vocabulary for landscape, weather, and social relationships. Today it's endangered, spoken by about 58,000 people.

62. What happened to the Gaelic language?

After Culloden, the government actively suppressed Gaelic through education policies, punishing children for speaking it, and conducting all government business in English. Within a few generations, English became dominant even in Highland areas.

63. What were Highland Games?

Highland Games evolved from traditional clan gatherings that included athletic competitions (running, jumping, throwing heavy stones, tossing cabers), music, dancing, and socializing. Modern Highland Games preserve these traditions and celebrate Scottish heritage.

64. What is a ceilidh?

A ceilidh (pronounced "KAY-lee") is a traditional Scottish social gathering featuring folk music, storytelling, and dancing. Modern ceilidhs continue this tradition, with live music and group dances that anyone can join.

65. What were clan gatherings like?

Clan gatherings brought the community together for important occasions—celebrations, funerals, making decisions, or preparing for war. They featured feasting (when resources allowed), music, dancing, storytelling, athletic competitions, and discussion of clan business.

Religion and Beliefs

66. What religion were the MacQuarries?

MacQuarries were Catholic before Scotland's Reformation in 1560, after which Scotland became officially Protestant. Highland clans adapted more slowly than Lowland areas, and religious tensions influenced clan politics for centuries.

67. Did the MacQuarries believe in fairies and magic?

Like most Highland people, MacQuarries likely believed in supernatural beings—fairies, water horses (kelpies), selkies (seal people), and spirits inhabiting natural features. These beliefs were part of Celtic traditional culture, existing alongside Christian faith.

68. What role did religion play in the Jacobite conflicts?

Religion was complex in Jacobite conflicts. The Stuart cause had Catholic sympathies, while the government was Protestant. However, not all Jacobites were Catholic, and not all Catholics supported the Jacobites. For many Highlanders, loyalty and cultural preservation mattered more than religion.

69. Were there churches on Ulva?

Yes, Kildavie Church on Ulva served the clan for centuries. The ruins still stand today and the adjacent burial ground holds MacQuarrie graves. It was the spiritual center of clan life.

70. How did MacQuarries view death and burial?

Death was marked with elaborate customs—wakes where the community stayed with the body, storytelling about the deceased, and ceremonial burial. Being buried with your ancestors in clan burial grounds was important for maintaining connection across generations.

Environmental and Geographic Questions

71. What is the climate like on Ulva?

Ulva has a cool, wet maritime climate. Winters are mild but damp and windy, with temperatures rarely below freezing. Summers are cool (55-65°F), often cloudy, with frequent rain. The weather changes rapidly and wind is constant.

72. What animals lived on and around Ulva?

Ulva had (and still has) seabirds, seals, otters, red deer, rabbits, and many smaller mammals and birds. The surrounding seas held fish, whales, dolphins, and porpoises. Domestic animals included cattle, sheep, goats, chickens, dogs, and cats.

73. What did the landscape look like?

The landscape was (and is) mostly treeless moorland covered in heather, grasses, and bog plants, with rocky coastlines, small patches of cultivated fields near settlements, and rolling hills rising to about 1,000 feet elevation.

74. Why weren't there trees on Ulva?

Scotland was once heavily forested, but millennia of human activity (clearing land for farming, cutting timber for fuel and building) removed most trees. Ulva's exposed position, thin soils, and maritime climate also make tree growth difficult.

75. What challenges did the island environment create?

Challenges included limited arable land, thin acidic soils requiring constant amendment, exposure to Atlantic storms, isolation (especially in winter), short growing seasons, frequent rain making food preservation difficult, and limited natural resources like timber.

Economic History

76. How did the clan economy work?

The clan economy was based on subsistence agriculture (growing food for consumption, not sale), raising cattle (the primary form of wealth), fishing, and some trade of surplus goods. Most clan members were poor by modern standards but could usually feed themselves.

77. What was kelp, and why was it important?

Kelp is large brown seaweed. In the 18th and early 19th centuries, kelp was harvested, dried, and burned to produce ash rich in alkali salts used in making soap and glass. This briefly provided significant income for island communities.

78. Why did the MacQuarrie chiefs go into debt?

After Culloden, the traditional clan economy collapsed. Chiefs lost their legal powers and became merely landlords. They couldn't compete economically with larger, more profitable estates. Many tried to maintain traditional hospitality while facing mounting expenses, leading to unsustainable debt.

79. What role did cattle play in Highland economy?

Cattle were central to Highland life—providing milk, meat, leather, and serving as portable wealth and currency. A clan's prosperity was measured partly in cattle. Cattle raids between clans were common, both for economic gain and to prove courage.

80. How did losing Ulva affect the clan economically?

Losing Ulva meant the clan had no land base, no way to support clan members, and no economic foundation. The clan as an organized economic unit essentially ceased to exist, forcing individuals to find their own way as tenant farmers, emigrants, or laborers.

Modern Heritage and Tourism

81. Can I visit Ulva today?

Yes! Ulva is accessible by a small ferry from Mull. The island welcomes visitors to explore MacQuarrie historical sites, walk trails, and visit the Boathouse Visitor Centre. Be prepared for basic facilities and bring everything you need.

82. What will I see if I visit Ulva?

You'll see ruins of blackhouses where clan members lived, remains of the chief's residence, Kildavie Church and burial ground with MacQuarrie graves, beautiful landscapes, and wildlife. The island is mostly uninhabited but rich with history.

83. Is there a MacQuarrie museum?

There's no museum dedicated specifically to MacQuarries, but the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh has excellent exhibits on Highland life and clan history. The Ulva Visitor Centre has information about the island's history including the MacQuarrie period.

84. Are there MacQuarrie clan gatherings?

Yes, various clan societies organize gatherings, sometimes including heritage tours to Scotland. These gatherings bring MacQuarrie descendants together from around the world to celebrate shared heritage.

85. How can I connect with other MacQuarrie descendants?

Join the Clan MacQuarrie Society or regional MacQuarrie family associations, participate in online genealogy forums, attend Highland Games where clan tents gather, and use DNA testing services to find genetic relatives.

Comparative Questions

86. How does Clan MacQuarrie compare to larger clans?

MacQuarrie was much smaller than clans like the Campbells, MacDonalds, or MacLeods. They controlled less territory, could field fewer warriors, and had less political influence. However, they maintained proud independence for centuries through strategic alliances.

87. Were there other small island clans like MacQuarrie?

Yes! The Hebrides had many small island clans, including the MacNeils of Barra, the MacLeods of Harris and Skye, and various smaller clans. Island clans shared similar challenges of limited resources but fierce independence.

88. How did island clans differ from mainland clans?

Island clans were more isolated, relied heavily on fishing and maritime skills, had smaller populations and territories, were more vulnerable to weather and crop failures, but were also harder to attack and had strong maritime traditions.

89. What was the relationship between large and small clans?

Small clans like the MacQuarries often formed alliances with larger, more powerful clans for protection and political support. These relationships involved military service, political support, and sometimes financial obligations.

90. Did any clan chiefs keep their lands through the Clearances?

Some did, especially those who adapted to commercial agriculture, supported the government, or had other sources of income. However, many traditional chiefs lost their lands, and those who kept theirs often participated in clearing their own clanspeople for profit.

Legacy and Impact

91. What is Clan MacQuarrie's legacy?

MacQuarrie legacy includes their contribution to Scottish Highland history, Lachlan Macquarie's transformation of Australia, the survival of clan identity despite losing their homeland, and the thousands of descendants worldwide who maintain connection to their heritage.

92. Why should people care about clan history today?

Clan history helps us understand family origins, appreciate cultural resilience, learn from historical challenges, maintain connections across generations and geography, and preserve important aspects of Scottish heritage that might otherwise be forgotten.

93. How has the story of Clan MacQuarrie influenced Scottish history?

MacQuarrie history exemplifies the broader pattern of Highland decline: proud independence, loyalty leading to devastating choices, the destruction of traditional culture, forced emigration, and the transformation from a living community to a diaspora preserving memory.

94. What lessons can we learn from Clan MacQuarrie history?

Lessons include the consequences of political choices, the resilience of cultural identity, the pain of forced displacement, the importance of adaptability, and how small communities can produce individuals of world historical significance (like Lachlan Macquarie).

95. How do MacQuarrie descendants keep the heritage alive today?

Through clan societies, genealogical research, heritage tourism to Scotland, gathering at Highland Games, preserving family stories, teaching younger generations, maintaining websites and publications, and DNA testing connecting distant relatives.

Miscellaneous

96. What's the difference between Scottish clans and Irish clans?

Both systems are based on kinship and shared territory, but Scottish clans developed a more formalized hierarchical structure with recognized chiefs, while Irish clans (called "septs") had somewhat different organizational patterns. Both were eventually destroyed by English government policies.

97. Are there any MacQuarrie castles?

No major castles. The MacQuarrie chiefs' residence on Ulva was substantial but not a castle like those of wealthier clans. Only stone foundations remain today. The clan's modest resources didn't permit building or maintaining elaborate fortifications.

98. What happened to the MacQuarrie clan's historical records?

Many records were lost or destroyed over time due to clan dispersal, lack of resources to maintain archives, and the general poverty following the loss of Ulva. Some records survive in Scottish archives, but much of the clan's history survives primarily through oral tradition and genealogical reconstruction.

99. Can the MacQuarrie chiefship be restored?

Theoretically, if someone could prove direct descent from the last chief and gain recognition from the Lord Lyon King of Arms (Scotland's heraldic authority), the chiefship could be restored. However, this hasn't happened, and Clan MacQuarrie currently has no recognized chief.

100. What's the most important thing to know about Clan MacQuarrie?

The most important thing is that despite being small, despite losing their homeland, and despite being scattered across the world, the MacQuarries maintained their identity. They exemplify both the tragedy of Highland history and the remarkable resilience of cultural heritage that survives displacement and loss.

Still Have Questions?

If your question isn't answered here, consider:

Joining the Clan MacQuarrie Society for access to their research and expertise
Consulting the references and resources sections of this website
Visiting the National Records of Scotland or other archives for primary research
Connecting with other MacQuarrie descendants through genealogy websites
Reading the detailed chapters on this website for in-depth information

Your clan heritage is a treasure worth exploring, and there are many people and resources ready to help you on your journey of discovery.