An Cìrean Ceann-cinnidh - the Chief's Crest, comprises a lion's head erased proper crowned with a five-pointed antique crown. Clansmen and clanswomen may show pride in their Clan and loyalty to their Chief by wearing, as a metallic Clan Badge, the Chief's Crest encircled by a strap and buckle bearing the Clan Motto 'S RIOGHAL MO DHREAM - Royal is My Race. The Strap and Buckle is indicative of fear-cinnidh ‘s bean-chinnidh - the clansman and clanswoman.

Alternatively, or in addition, we may sport the plant badge of our Clan. This is worn most commonly as a sprig attached to the bonnet or lapel. The Suaicheantas - badge of Clan Gregor, is Giuthas - Scots Pine. "Mac Griogair dha’m bu shuaicheantas giuthas -MacGregor whose badge was the pine," is a saying which witnesses the long established association between our Clan and the pine. In Gaelic the Scots Pine is referred to as Giuthas nam mòr-shliabh - the fir of the mountains, testimony to a time when it once clothed much of the Central Highlands. Remnants of these woodlands survive at the present time.

The Cath-ghairm - war cry of Clan Gregor, is “Ard Choille!" - the wooded height. It may date from the early 16th century when Donnchadh Ladasach - Duncan the Bold, MacGregor of Ard Choille, despite being driven from his home by the steady encroachment of the Campbell Lairds of Glen Orchy into Breadalbane, refused to be intimidated and fought on. Duncan Ladasach led roving bands of MacGregors in guerrilla attacks against the Campbells. Ard Choille is located in Glen Dochart and rendered Ardchyle on modern maps.

Our Chief and Hereditary Patron of The Clan Gregor Society is Sir Malcolm MacGregor of MacGregor, Bart., 24th Chief of Clan Gregor. His Gaelic designation is An t-Ailpeineach, a name which bears testimony to the Clan's Clann Ailpein - Clan Alpin origin, the older kindred name of our Clan.

The Definition of a Clan

The Gaelic word for 'children' is more accurately translated as 'family' in the sense in which the word Clan became accepted in the Scottish Highlands during the 13th century. A Clan is a social group whose core comprises a number of families derived from, or accepted as being derived from, a common ancestor.

Almost without exception, that core is accompanied by a further number of dependent and associated families who have either sought the protection of the Clan at some point in history or have been tenants or vassals of its Chief. That Chief is owed allegiance by all members of the Clan, but ancient tradition nevertheless states that the Clan is above the Chief.

Although Gaelic has been supplanted by English in the Lowlands of Scotland for nearly a thousand years, it is an acceptable convention to refer to the great Lowland families, like the Douglas', as Clans although the heads of certain families, such as Bruce, prefer not to use the term.

Allegiance was generally given to a father's Clan, but Celtic tradition includes a strong element of descent through, and loyalty to, a mother's line. In reality, the chief of a Clan would ingather any stranger, of whatever family, who possessed suitable skills, maintained his allegiance and, if required, adopted the Clan surname.

About The Clan Gregor Society

The Clan Gregor Society was instituted in 1822 and is one of the oldest clan societies. In its early days it was managed by a committee of Edinburgh and Glasgow professional men, all surnamed MacGregor or McGregor. Their object was to extend "to the Poor of the Clan the benefits of a sound and Christian education." To this worthy end, large sums were subscribed and distributed, and this benevolent work contributed greatly to the rising fortunes of the clan throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries.

Today, the Society is a growing organisation with membership throughout the world. It's most active objectives are to extend the links of kinship and friendship between MacGregors, wherever they may be, and to provide a focal point for all members of the Clan and, indeed, any interested visitors who wish to learn more of our noble past.

In addition to the names Gregor and MacGregor (various spellings), more than one hundred names are recognised as forming part of Clan Gregor. Membership in the Clan Gregor Society is open to all who regard themselves as MacGregors, and to all others as associate or honorary members, in accordance with the Society's rules.