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The
lands of Arrochar
(Spruills
are members of the Macfarlane Clan)
The war-like clan, Macfarlane claim descent from Giolchrist
brother of the 13th Earl of Lennox, who held
territories at the head of Loch Lomond. The clan
takes its name from Parlan, grandson of
Gilchrist. Duncan, 6th chief obtained the lands
of Arrochar from the Earl of Lennox and in 1395
he acquired many of the ajoining lands by marriage. On the death
of the last of the old Earls of Lennox without male issue,
Macfarlane claimed the title and lands. This was rejected and the
title was conferred on Sir John Stewart of
Darnley which led to a long emnity between the contesting
families. During the 16th century the clan found an outlet for
their war-like spirit in supporting the Earls of Lennox. The
Macfarlanes distinguished themselves at the Battle of
Langside in 1568 fighting against Queen
Mary. Later many of the clan fell at the Battle
of Pinkie in 1547. During this time the
Macfarlanes embarked upon a feud with the Colquhouns
and in 1592 were responsible for the murder of Sir
Humphrey Colquhoun and later a further feud developed
with the Buchanans. These and many other acts of
lawlessness committed by the Macfarlanes resulted in the clan
being made landless and their name proscribed through an Act
of Estates in 1642. The clan scattered
and many clansmen adopted aliases. In 1785 the
lands of Arrochar had to be sold for debt and the
chief emigrated to America. The daughter of the last
chief made a nomination in favour of the Macfarlane of Keithton
and a claim is now pending with the Lyon Court."