Gaelic Name: Mac Grioghair
Symbol: Pino
WARCRY: Ard Choille! (The woody height!)
Scottish bagpipe music: Ruaig Ghlinne Freoine (Chase of Glen Fruin).
Birth: is one of the oldest Scottish clans, it seems that the root of the family tree starts with Grigor (from which it "Mac Gregor"), son of Alpin, King of Scots around the 787 DC.
warmongers and thieves the tradition handed down from ancient dynasty Girig Gregor of the Clan Alpin the MacGregor clung tenaciously to the old Celtic legends of the clan, who preached the defense of the possessions with the sword, in defiance of the "feudal charters" (feudal state), obtained through marriage or other dubious means by powerful neighbors who had the favor of the government. These clans neighbors, who were in favor of the government, were Campbells, Grahams and Colquhoun.
After the defeat of the latter in Glen Fruin, in 1603 (MacGregor won the battle in which despite being in the minority at a ratio of 1 to 2), began a long series of revenge. For a long time Mac Gregor kept their possessions by force, but the hostility of the neighboring clan and the continuing struggles earned them a reputation as warmongers. During these conflicts the Campbell obtained permission by the king to appropriate the lands of Gregor and severe decrees against the members were issued, until, again in 1603, James VI proclaimed outlaw clan, this is because the MacGregors, who were without land, were forced to steal to survive, and were regarded as a clan of thieves.
The mistreatment: after this proclamation of persons in the clan were persecuted, their lands were redistributed to other clans, the weapons were confiscated, refused food, only a maximum of four men could MacGregor gather at one time and clans that had got a warning from helping friends.
The name was abolished because, according to the king, could have led members of the clan to "assume their power, strength and tenacity," and this would encourage them to break the law. The movement produced results, although not immediately, one year after the chieftain and 11 members were hanged in Edinburgh. A size of 1000 Merks (an incredible price for that period) was placed on the heads of the leaders of clans, 100 Merks for the smaller members, and there were even some special thanks for a MacGregor who had brought the head of another man clan of equal rank. The hunt continued, and the cruelty with which it was exercised was intensified in the subsequent decades. There were also attempts of violence against women and children Mac Gregor, in the Lowlands. The wives of the MacGregors were marked focus on viso.C 'were, however, some clans who were ready to risk their lives to provide protection to the MacGregors, and helped them to come into other clans under a false name.
in Scottish history, there are many references to the Clan Gunn as "MacGregors of the North", because they defended their lands with "fire and sword", and also because they were seen as a fierce clan, but the Clan suffered a great injustice, because he was Caught in a religious conflict between Catholics and Protestants in the north of England, Henry VIII wanted to transform his nation into Protestant, 6 women to marry without being excommunicated. England was determined to get rid of support to the Catholic King of Scotland (of French descent) the Catholic religion and clans that support it yet.
The British government was very hard with the clans in the past had supported the Catholic King (almost every clan) and with the help of some clans, deployed in support of Orange, there were fierce battles.
Scotland was in turmoil. Even today the memory of those bullying is alive in the people of Scotland.
The mirage of a renaissance: later during the Civil War (1642), the Mac Gregors fought for Charles I, son of James VI (see history of Scotland), so that when Charles II was able to re- throne (1650 or 60) gave back their privileges they had lost once, but after the intercession William of Orange (William of Orange), the Act was renewed, and lasted until 1775.
Of those who did the pressure to act against the MacGregors were the Argyll, the leader of a group of Campbell.
With the growth of power of the other Clans, like the Campbells, the Clan Gregor lost its dominant role, to be reduced to the role of renters (tenants).
treaties as tenants, paying a sum to strangers, members of the clan were also obliged to refrain from inter-clan disputes and this put no little difficulty in the head, who was forced to take on the role it plays, the responsibility of people dispersed uncontrollably in the moors. Years passed
Mac Gregor and continued to survive in the shadows ...
Rob Roy: Rob Roy born in 1671, and criticized the legendary hero, who was known as Campbell (maiden name of his mother). Although it did call Rob Roy Campbell had nothing to share with Argyll, in fact continued to harass the Campbell throughout the period in which the MacGregors were considered outlaws, to take revenge.
The clan war: Rob Roy fought for James VIII in the first Jacobite uprising in 1715, and died in 1734. The clan continued to fight for the Stuart dynasty, he joined the young Charles Edward Stuart (Bonnie Prince Charlie) during the second Jacobite uprising in 1745 against King George II. The revolt failed and Mac Gregors plunged into poverty and were again outlawed until 1774, when they were left alone, since the size that was hanging over the head of the clan was finally removed.
The end of an ordeal: it was not until 1774, that the centuries of persecution of the MacGregors officially ended with the removal of the bounty on the head of each member of the clan planted by James VI.Per prove that everything really had been forgotten, in 1822 and in 1953 the clan got a place of honor among the escort that carried the 'Honours of Scotland'.
