MacGregor Timeline
           History at a Glance
        Clan Gregor   Home    

        879-890 Reign of Scot-Pict King Gregory, from whom the clan takes its name
        C.A. 1000MacGregors flourish in Glan Dochart
        1100 MacGregor used as surname
        Pre-1200 Clan seat located in Glen Orchy, district of Lorne (Argyll)
        1200's Kilchurn, Clan stronghold, established on island in Loch Awe
        1296 John of Glen Orchy (Chief) captured by King Edward at Battle of Dunbar.
        Clan lands confiscated but later returned when John agreed to serve Edward in France.
        1300's Malcolm of the castles built 8 MacGregor castles in Perthshire, including Stonmelchan.
        Late 1300'sEmergence of Clan Campbell as a powerful feudal society.
        1390 Campbell Laird steals MacGregor lands at Glen Orchy.
        Early 1400'sMacGregors established homes in Glen Strae and Glen Lyon.
        C.A. 1500 MacGregors move to Glen Gyle. Rob Roy's grandpa was an original settler.
        Early 1500'sComplilation of Chronicles of Fortingall, The Book of the Dean of Lismore by James MacGregor, Vicar of Fortingall and Dean of Lismore. The Chronicles details obituraries and other historic events and was continued by James' successor. The Book of the Dean contains the earliest collection of highland poetry, including some Ossianic works and writings which pay tribute to deceased MacGregors.

        Spurred on by Campbell bloodhounds, Gregor, Chief of Glen Strae, leapt across the Lyon River Gorge in the now famous MacGregor's Leap.

        1560 An act of Parliament made it illegal for Scots to be Roman Catholics. MacGregors were Catholics.
        1563 An act of the Privy Council gave the Protestant nobels and chiefs (including Campbells) the right to pursue MacGregors with fire and sword.
        Late 1500'sExtreme persecution of Clan Gregor continued.
        1570 MacGregor of Glenstrae was executed by Campbells.
        1604 After 200 years of outlawery and the Battle of Glen Fruin (with the Colquhouns) James VI decreed that the name MacGregor was illegal. This was called proscription and would be enforced for the next 211 years.
        1610,1613,1617Additional acts of proscription were enacted making it illegal for for more than four MacGregors to meet in one place, or to possess weapons. Families were divided and children sent to other clans or Ireland. Many Clan leaders were executed.
        Early 1600's The Clan was nearly destroyed. Many MacGregors disappeared into remote mountain areas where they remained concealed for the next twent years, becoming known as The Children of the Mist.
        1620 Sgiath MacGregor (hiding place in Finglas gorge used after our outlawery) is named after Calum MacGregor, Rob Roy's grandfather.
        1661 Charles II relaxed the proscription in gratitude for MacGregor's suport in his struggle to regain the throne. Although promised complete restoration of our status, lands were never returned due to the Campbells political power.
        1671-1734 Lifetime of Rob Roy, known for his colorful style and his quarrel with the earl of Montrose and his staunch defense of the independence of the Clan.
        1745 James, son of Rob Roy, a major, lead Bonnie Prince Charlie's army through the remote highlands to Edinburgh before the Battle of Culloden (MacGregors did not fight as a clan at Culloden).
        1746 Clan system abolished after the defeat of Bonnie Charlie at Culloden.
        1774 An act of Parliament under George III restored the legality of the MacGregor name.
        1799 In gratitude for the restoration of the name, Clan Alpine Fencibles was formed as a regiment in the British army and served in Ireland.
        1822 Clan Gregor Society founded.



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