Branksome Hall - Slogan Yearbook (Toronto, Ontario Canada)

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The Branksome Slogan 23 CLAN CHIEFTAINS N. Inglis (Maclean), J. Weir (Campbell), A. Zimmerman (MacAlpine), J. Ellis (Scott), C. Philpott (MacLeod), S. Dalton (MacGregor), H. De Nike (Douglas), E. Howden (Ross). the Clan Alpin. The clan claims descent from Griogar, third son of King: Alpin, king in the year 787. The neighbours of the Clan Gregor, the Campbell ' s, unlawfully obtained the land belonging to the Gregors. The latter then used forceful means to regain it, acquired a reputation for turbulence, robbery and disturbance of the peace of the country. By an Act of Parliament the clan was then forced to change its name. Many were chosen, but the one by which we now know it is the MacGregor Clan. The motto of the Maclean clan is ' ' Life or Death . The first of the clan of whom there is any authentic account is Gillean of the Battle-axe, named from his pioverbial dexterity with that weapon, who lived during the reign of Alexander III. Most of the branches of the Clan Maclean now bear, as part of their armorial bearings, a battle-axe in memory of their famed ancestor. The origin of the MacLeods is not very well known by historians, but they are beheved to be descended from the Norse. According to the traditions of the Norse origin, the forefather of the MacLeod Clan was Leoid, son of the Black King of Man. The family seat of the clan is

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22 The Branksome Slogan The Clans (Quite in keeping with our kilts and Gaelic yells, we at Branksome are divided into eight clans , as most schools are divided into houses. A new girl coming to Branksome may express her preference for one of the following: Campbell, Douglas, MacAlpine, MacGregor, Maclean, MacLeod, Ross or Scott. The Slogan has been asked to print a short historical account of each of those Scottish clans which have been chosen as our patrons. Editors.) The Camptoells have played a great part in Highland history. They were the rivals and later the supplanters of the old Lords of the Isles. Many elan territories, such as the MacDonald, MacGregor, Lamont, Macnaib, MacNaughtons and others, were gradually acquired by. the Campibells. Through the numerous clan conflicts of the early Scottish history the Campbells always managed to be on the right side, either by sword or by diplomacy. More than once in history has that war song, The Campbells are Coming, struck terror into the hearts of incon- venient rivals of the clan; for when the Campbells came they usually came to stay. The tartan we use at Branksome is the Campbell of Bread- albane, which is one of the three divisions of the clan, the other two being Campbell of Argyll and Campbell of Cawdor (Caldor). The crest of Campbell of Breadalbane is a boar ' s head; the present chieftain of this clan is 8th Earl. The origin of the Douglas clan, one of the most powerful families in Scotland and rivals of Royalty, is unknown. A branch of the Douglas clan is called Douglas of Drumlanrig. The Black Douglas mentioned in history was the Good Sir James of Douglas, a great captain in the long War of the Succession. The hero of seventy fights, it is said that he won all but thirteen, so leaving the name of Black Douglas — suggest- ed by his swarthy complexion. He was slain during one of the Crusades, carrying the heart of his royal master. The motto of the Douglas Arms is Jamais arnere — (Never behind). On the crest the bloody heart com- memorates Bruce ' s dying request to the Good Sir James to carry his heart to the Holy Land; the three stars which both the Douglases and the Murrays bear in common seem to denote the descent of both from one ancestor. The actual name of Alpine is derived from the Welsh. The ancestor of the clan is believed to be Kenneth MacAlpine. The clan itself has at all times claimed the distinction of being the noblest and most ancient of the Highland clans. The crest of the MacAlpines is a boar ' s head with the motto, ' ' Remember the death of Alpin . This motto refers to the murder of King Alpin by Brudus after the Picts defeated the Scots in the year 834. Royal is my race is the motto of the MacGregors, the senior of

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24 The Branksome Slogan Dunvegan Castle ; it is a grand old place, combining the romance of the ninth century with the comfort of the twentieth ; in it are preserved some of the most famous relics of the past. The Ross Clan takes its name from the province of Ross. The name in Gaelic is Clann Andrias. One account of the origin of this clan reports that it came from the Nioisemen. The district of Ross was very fre- quently mentioned in Norse sagas along with other districts ruled by the Mormaors or Jarls. It was only upon the downfall of that powerful race that the Chiefs of Ross first appear in history. The badge of the Ross Clan is juniper, which in Gaelic is aiteann. The crest is a hand holding a garland of laurel. The Scotts, one of the most powerful Border clans, take their name from the race who invaded Scotland in the early ages. The Scotts of Buccleuch (mentioned in Sir Walter Scott ' s ' ' Lay of the Last Minstrel ) and the Scotts of Balwearie were descended from Uchtredus filius Scoti, who witnessed charters between 1107 and 1128. Sir Michael Scott, a famous wizard, also mentioned in ' The Lay , who died about 1200, was actually one of the most learned men of his time. Sir Walter Scott was himself a descendant of the Scotts of Harden. The war cry of this clan is A Ballandean . The seat of the Scotts of Buccleuch was Branksome Castle, after which this school is named, in honour of the founder, Miss Scott. Events of the Year GATHERING OF THE CLANS The first Friday in September, after the return to school, found sports activities off to a fast start. The eight clans gathered on Sher- borne lawn for their first annual gathering and clan games. New girls began to feel at home leaping down the lawn tied up in a sack and try- ing to defeat contestants from the other seven clans. The complete MacGregor clan was to be found afterwards clustered about two enormous cakes which they won as first prize.