Welcome to Clan Gregor

Brigadier Sir Gregor MacGregor of MacGregor, 6th Baronet and 23rd Chief of Clan Gregor
Lester Andelson Edward Boothe Steven Henry Alistair McGregor Gregor MacGregor Mary V. MacGregor Isabella McGregor Morrison MBE Margaret McGregor	Doyle Byron Long Elwood McGrew Joanna Norton Harold Norton Francis Josef Ruth Nigel Tranter David M.D. Whyte VC Bauman

Doyle Byron Long, husband of Carolyne McGregor Long, passed away on the 9th of December, 2008 at Fresno Veterans Administration Hospital in Fresno, California. He was an avid supporter to Carolyne and the Scottish Highland Games. He loved to attend the games and events and was well known amongst the Scots. He could be counted on to be within cheering distance of any of the Clan Gregor Western USA Chapter's activities. Doyle enjoyed the trips to Scotland and was eager for a next trip.

The Marbhrann is a lament but also a celebration of the life of the late clan chief, Sir Gregor MacGregor.

Brigadier Sir Gregor MacGregor of MacGregor, 6th Baronet and 23rd Chief of Clan Gregor, has died at the age of 78. Sir Gregor, who is succeeded by his son Major Malcolm MacGregor, died in Ninewells Hospital, Dundee, on Sunday 30th March, 2003 after a short illness. He lived at the family home Bannatyne, at Newtyle.

Born in Edinburgh in 1925, the son of Captain Sir Malcolm MacGregor and Gylla Lady MacGregor of MacGregor OBE, he was educated at Eton and was commissioned in the Scots Guards in 1944. He saw active service in north-west Europe during the second world war and later served in Palestine, Malaya and Borneo, and was also a member of the Royal Company of Archers (Queen's Bodyguard for Scotland). He was also Brigade Major, 16th Parachute Brigade and rose through the ranks to become Commanding Officer, 1st Battalion Scots Guards and Lt. Colonel commanding Scots Guards.

Following a two-year spell at Fort Benning in the USA, Sir Gregor became Defence and Military Attache at the British Embassy in Athens between 1975 and 1978, before becoming Commander of the regiment's Lowlands Battalion, based at Edinburgh Castle until 1980. In his civilian life he was also Grand Master Mason of Scotland 1988-93.

Since becoming Clan Chief in 1958, Sir Gregor had travelled extensively to MacGregor gatherings, in particular to America and Canada, and was seen as a guiding hand to the clan throughout his tenure. In 1975 he oversaw the 200th anniversary of the lifting of the Act of Proscription, imposed in 1693 by William of Orange, which outlawed the clan name. The Act was finally repealed in 1775.

The funeral was held at Newtyle on Friday, 4th April 2003. Interment was in the family mausoleum at Balquhidder. Cards and messages can be sent to:

Bannatye
Newtyle, Angus
PH12 8TR Scotland

6th Baronet of Lanrick and Balquhidder, 23rd Chief of Clan Gregor, died on Sunday 30th March 2003, in Ninewells Hospital Dundee, Scotland, UK, after a short illness.

A Service of Thanksgiving for his life was held on Friday, 4th April at Newtyle Parish Church Angus, conducted by the Reverend Canon J.T. Morrow and Reverend Carleen Robertson. Readings by his son Ninian MacGregor, and Sir Archibald Orr Ewing Grand Master Mason of Scotland, followed by an Address from Major Malcolm MacGregor, Younger of MacGregor who spoke of Sir Gregor's military service after commissioning into the Scots Guards from the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst.

He served from 1944-1980 with his regiment in BAOR (Germany), Palestine, Malaya, Borneo, USA, Greece, and NW Europe in W.W.II, commanding the 1st Battalion in the rank of Lieutenant Colonel from 1966-1969, and commanding both the 1st and 2nd Battalions in the rank of Colonel from 1971-1974. From 1975 -1978 he served as Military Attache in Athens and was then appointed Brigadier commanding the Lowland Brigade until retiring in 1980 after nearly 37 years of service.

Sir Gregor was a member of the Queens Bodyguard in Scotland, (The Royal Company of Archers) from 1949, and was a lifelong Freemason becoming Grand Master Mason Scotland in 1988 for a five year term. He served on many of the Grand Lodge committees, and traveled widely whilst in office. Affluent French speaker, he took part in the installation of France's Grand Master.

A keen fisherman he became expert at rod making and fly tying, was an accomplished horseman and shot, and at one time played the pipes. He served on the committee of Piobaireachd Society and always recognized the tie when I wore it! Sir Gregor was a keen gardener, and enjoyed showing visitors round the garden at Bannatyne.

Sir Gregor succeeded his father Sir Malcolm as Baronet, Clan Chief, and Hereditary Patron of the Clan Gregor Society. A Scots Guards Piper played laments both at the church and mausoleum.

MacGregor Chiefs and their immediate family have been laid to rest in this mausoleum, erected by John Murray MacGregor about 1831 after having purchased the Edenchip Estate around 1778. The estate was sold in 1980.

Sir Gregor was extremely well respected in both his military and civilian lives and well be missed by many, particularly his clansfolk and those who knew him in the Lochearnhead, Strathyre and Balquhidder.

Major Sir Malcolm MacGregor of MacGregor, late Scots Guard, now becomes the 7th Baronet and the 24th Chief of Clan Gregor..............Hail to the Chief!!

Mrs. Joanna Norton, passed away in December 1999. Earlier in 1999 the Society purchased the MacGregor sword that was previously on loan from Mrs. Norton and her family. (see Newsletters 48 & 49). The sword is currently on display in the Clan Gregor Exhibition at the Breadalbane Folklore Centre in Killin.

Mr. David M.D. Whyte, former newsletter editor and former treasurer of the Society, passed away early on Wednesday morning, 6th September, 2000. His advice and legal expertise, not to mention the man himself, will be sorely missed by Council and the membership at large. He is a huge loss to the Society.

His funeral took place on Monday, 11th September, 2000 in Clydebank Crematorium. The Society was represented by Ms. Ishbel McGregor, Dr. Gregor Hutcheson, and Mr. Malcolm White, among others.

Nigel Tranter, the novelist and architectural historian, died peacefully at his home in Gullane, East Lothian on 9 January 2000 at the age of 90. He was the author of The MacGregor Trilogy and The Children of the Mist as well as over 130 books of which more than 90 were novels with a Scottish historical theme.

He was often described as a historian, a title that he rejected. Rather he wanted to be known as a 'storyteller'. In spite of this, he has taught more Scots about their history than anyone else.