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Origin of the GREGG Name
The MacGregors are famed for their history of bloodshed and for their struggle for survival against systematic efforts to exterminate them and to outlaw their name. Clan Gregor claim descent from Grigar, third son of Kenneth MacAlpin, first King of Scotland. The original seat of the clan was Glenorchy but they later acquired lands in Glengyle, Glen Lyon, Glen Straye and Balquhidder. These they held by right of first occupation. Much however was subsequently lost to the increasing power of the Campbells. As a result the clan retreated into the area around Balquhidder and adopted a lawless way of life, notorious for its savagery which held their lands by the sword. In 1603 James VI issued letters of fire and sword against the clan. The Colquhouns were given this task but they were themselves massacred with terrible butchery by the Macgregors at GlenFruin. In 1606 the Act of Proscription forbade the use of the name Macgregor and outlawed all members of the clan. Many stories exist of how clansmen were hunted by bloodhounds and women branded. Many of the clan adopted aliases and sought the protection of other clans, others moved from the Highlands and many emigrated. The Act was eventually repealed in 1775. Rob Roy was probably the most famous (or infamous) Macgregor. Popularised by Sir Walter Scott in "The Lady of the Lakes" he was perhaps the greatest scoundrel of all the Macgregors. Fortunately he was pardoned for his crimes and lived out his life at Balquhidder where he died in 1734.
Rob Roy has a tartan all to himself, though why this should be is something of a mystery. This simple red and black check is the older of the two MacGregor tartans; a later one with a red background and green and black checks is thought to be the dress tartan. Because of the banning of their name, there are dozens of different sept names of this clan. |
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