Let me share with you the captivating history of your family, the MacLennans, a tale that intertwines with the rich tapestry of Gaelic heritage. In the Gaelic tongue, your name emerges as ‘MacGille Finnan,’ an evocation of ‘son of the follower of St. Fillian.’ As you delve into the annals of time, you may encounter an intriguing theory. Some historians suggest that your clan was initially known as Logan and only adopted the moniker MacLennan in the 15th century.

According to this narrative of your family’s origins, a figure named Gillegorm Logan led his men toward Inverness, fueled by a feud against the Frasers. Yet fate took a bitter twist, as Gillegorm and his compatriots fell into an ambush at Kessock, succumbing to the blades of the Frasers. Among the fallen was Gillegorm’s expectant wife, who found herself in Fraser custody. Their intentions toward the unborn child remain shrouded in historical haze – perhaps they considered extinguishing the child’s life, or perchance sought to raise him as a fosterling, a Highland practice to wield influence over a rival clan. The child was born with deformities and was entrusted to the monks at Beaul. As years unfurled, he found his way into the church’s embrace, yet his path diverged from the papal decree of celibacy, a testament to the deep-rooted Celtic tradition of marriage. From him emerged ‘Gille Finnan,’ a name that your forebears adopted in honor of his legacy. While the similarities in the heraldry of the Lowland Logans and the Maclennans beckon intrigue, genealogical evidence to substantiate this story remains elusive.

Embraced by history’s embrace, your forefathers, the Maclennans, stood shoulder to shoulder with the Macraes, unwavering supporters of the Mackenzies. They might have guarded the resplendent castle at Eilean Donan at a certain point in time, a testament to their loyalty. It was through their allegiance to the Mackenzie chief that your clan’s star ascended. The fervent winds of history ushered forth the year 1645, and with it, the Marquess of Montrose’s rallying cry that united many a Highland clan for the royalist cause. In this mosaic, the Maclennans were stalwarts, a bastion of strength led by your valiant chief, Ruaridh, whose stature was as imposing as his fiery red beard. At Auldearn in May 1645, the Covenanters faced off against Montrose’s forces. In a symphony of strategy and sheer determination, the tide turned in favor of Montrose. Your clan’s banner held high, Ruaridh and his kin defended the standard of the Earl of Seaforth, chief of the Mackenzies, against all odds. Though they fought valiantly, the Gordon cavalry struck them down, their sacrifice etching their name into the annals of valor.

In the chapters that followed, the echoes of your lineage resonated through history’s corridors. The tumultuous waters of the Jacobite risings in 1715 and 1745 saw the Maclennans playing a less prominent role, with some of your kin taken prisoner after Culloden. And as the years flowed on, a notable figure emerged—Ronald Maclennan of Maclennan. Recognized by the Lord Lyon, King of Arms, as the chief of your name, his ascension was marked by the unique process known as the ‘ad hoc derbhfine.’ While not a direct bloodline chief, Ronald’s position stood as a testament to the living spirit of your noble lineage. Thus, your family’s legacy endures, etched with bravery and an unyielding spirit.