Just call me The Buchanan
CLAN GET THEIR FIRST CHIEF IN 337 YEARS
BY JAMES MONCUR j.moncur@dailyrecord.co.uk ONE of Scotland’s largest clans have appointed their first chieftain in 337 years – thanks to a genealogist who once worked with a US president.
Clan Buchanan will now be led by John Michael BaillieHamilton Buchanan, who was traced by ancestry expert, Hugh Peskett.
Hugh unearthed Ronald Reagan’s Irish ancestry in the 80s and researched for decades into the Buchanan family.
The Lord Lyon King of Arms, who regulates Scottish heraldry, has upheld a petition rubberstamping the new chiefship.
John, who is the manager of the Cambusmore Estate, near Callander, Stirlingshire, said: “There has not been a chief for a very long time – over 337 years – but there is a thriving community of Buchanan clansmen, clanswomen and septs around the world.
“I look forward to meeting members of the clan, committing myself to clan matters in Scotland and attending some of the popular clan functions that take place overseas.”
The father-of-four, who will be known as The Buchanan, added: “My family have been acknowledged as leaders of one of the principal clan septs – the Buchanans of Leny and Arnprior – for many years but we have also believed that we had a good case for the overall chiefship.
“It has been a long journey to prove our lineage.”
Hugh said it took “decades” to confirm the lineage, adding: “As a clansman of the Clan Buchanan, it was absolutely fascinating to delve into the history and ancestry of one of the oldest clans in Scotland. Tracing hundreds of years of lineage and unpacking the secrets of the past is no mean feat.
“My research took decades to compile and unequivocally confirms the chiefship claim. This is a historic moment for Clan Buchanan and I am truly privileged to have played my part.
“My gran would be incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved.”
Clan Buchanan can be traced back to 1010AD in Scotland and now has several million members across the world.
More than five million people bear one of the recognised clan names, although not all will be clan members.
The chieftainship was last held by his ancestral kinsman, John Buchanan, until his death without a male heir in 1681.
The Clan Buchanan Society may now have to change their banner that is flown at Highland games around the world – it currently features a lion rampant with tears of sorrow to represent the sadness of clansmen without a chief.