Clan Grant's recorded history dates from the mid-thirteenth century, when Sir
Laurence de Grant was Sheriff of Inverness. The family, over the centuries,
added to their original Speyside lands, centered on Grantown-on-Spey and Castle
Grant, until the Clan territory stretched from Aberdeen in the east, Banff and
Elgin in the north and over to the west shore of Loch Ness. Southwards they
controlled the wild slopes of the Cairngorm massif around Aviemore, now a famous
ski resort, where their summoning beacon was lighted on Craig Elachie (rock of
alarm), still commemorated in their time-honoured rallying call and battle
slogan ... 'Stand Fast Craignellachie!'
As a clan, the Grants contributed a major share to the development of
north-east Scotland and in the shaping not only of the history of Scotland but
of the United Kingdom and former Colonies overseas. The Clan Grant Society,
founded in 1897, has recently been revitalised in Britain, and Societies have
been formed in the United States of America, Canada, New Zealand and Australia.
The first clan to adopt an official tartan, by command of the Chief, in 1704,
they were also the last clan to send out the traditional Fiery Cross to call the
men to arms, in 1820 at the 'raid on Elgin'. Among innumerable interesting
characters, their history includes such diverse notables as a President of the
United States of America, General Ulysses S. Grant, and the late Nina, Countess
of Seafield, in her day said to be the richest woman in Britain.
There can be few members of this large and scattered family who will not be
fascinated to read of the deeds of their forebears and of their traditions and
legends in this carefully researched account written by their present and 32nd
Clan Chief, Lord Strathspey. Grants around the world, together with those who
bear one of the associated names - Allen, Bisset, Buie, Bilroy, MacAllan,
MacGilroy, MacIlroy, MacKerron, More of Drumcork, MacKiaran, Pratt or Suttie -
all of them can take pride in the story of this great clan, of which they are a
living part. Scottish and family historians in general, will welcome this
significant addition to clan history.
Contents:
1. Introduction
2. Castle Grant
3. The Chiefs from Earliest Times to 1434
4. The Chiefs from 1434 to 1747
5. The 1745 Jacobite Rebellion
6. The Chiefs from 1773 to 1884
7. The Dowager Caroline
8. The Chiefs from 1884 to the Present Day
9. A Note on Some of the Cadet Families
10. Cullen House
11. Grant Clan Societies and Miscellaneous Information
12. Clan Insignia
13. The History of Scotch Whisky on Speyside
14. Postscript
Appendix 1. List of Weapons from Castle Grant
Appendix 2. List of Family Portraits in Castle Grant (1880)
Appendix 3. Author's Notes on Castle Grant (1965)
Appendix 4. Historical Note on the Findlater Seafields
Appendix 5. Ian Charles's Will (1882)
Appendix 6. Outline Family Tree of Chiefs of Grant
Index
