10 Scottish Surnames & Their Clan History

Bruce sites to visit

King's Cave, Arran

Legend says that Robert the Bruce hid from the English armies in one of these mysterious caves and within these gloomy walls, he watched a spider repeatedly attempting to spin a web, inspiring Bruce to continue the struggle for Scottish independence.

• Location: This popular circular trail takes in some of the best scenery on Arran including views over Machrie and the northern mountains.
• Opening hours: open daily
• Time: 2 mile walk

Walk in a legend’s footsteps at King’s Cave

Campbell sites to visit

Inverary Castle, Argyll

Get inspired by the fairytale façade of Inveraray Castle on the edge of Loch Fyne, surrounded by the rugged landscape of Argyll. You might recognise the ancestral seat of the Dukes of Argyll, Chiefs of the Clan Campbell, from TV shows A Very British Scandal and Downton Abbey.

• Location: 1 hour 30-minute drive from Glasgow
• Opening times: vary depending on season

Start your Inveraray Castle adventure

Donald sites to visit

Islay and Finlaggan Castle, Isle of Islay

Islay is a wonderful place to visit if you’re exploring your Scottish heritage. The island is wild and beautiful, as well as being home to nine whisky distilleries! The ancient seat of Clan Donald, Finlaggan Castle, can also be found here. Today it is a ruin of crumbling walls and scattered stones, but a very atmospheric one that soon casts a mythic spell.

There’s a daily ferry from Kennacraig to Islay and once a week from Oban. You can also fly to Islay, with flights from Edinburgh, Glasgow, Colonsay and Oban.

Soak up the land of your ancestors with a visit to Islay

Culloden Battlefield, Scottish Highlands

Clan Donald fought on the site of the Jacobites during the 1745-46 uprisings. A stone bearing the Clan Donald name can be found in Culloden, one of the most atmospheric and historic sites in Scotland. The visitor centre powerfully tells the story of the conflict and features a 360-degree battle immersion theatre.

• Location: 5 miles from Inverness.
• Opening times: vary depending on season

Plan your trip to the historic battlefield

Discover more about the Donald Clan

Clan Fraser has two distinct branches, one in the Lowlands and one in the Highlands. Many members of Clan Fraser have distinguished themselves, particularly on the field of battle. They have defended Scottish lands against invading Danes and Norsemen, fought in the Scottish Wars of Independence, the Jacobite risings, both World Wars, and they still serve today. In more recent times, the historic novel Outlander by Diana Gabaldon features the fictional protagonist Jamie Fraser of Clan Fraser of Lovat.

Fraser sites to visit

Arboath Abbey, Angus

Sir Alexander Fraser married the widowed sister of Robert the Bruce in 1316, became Chamberlain of Scotland in 1319 and in 1320 was one of the signatories of the Declaration of Arbroath. Stand amid the ancient stones of Arbroath Abbey and learn about this vital moment in Scotland’s history.

• Location: 30 minutes from Dundee
• Opening times: vary depending on season

All you need to know about visiting the Abbey

Beauly, Scottish Highlands

This village, 10 miles west of Inverness, is the heart of Fraser of Lovat country. Pause for a moment’s peace at atmospheric Beauly Priory, a setting in the Outlander series and where many of the clans’ chiefs were buried.

Experience the historic village of Beauly

Discover more about the Fraser clan

Clan Gregor is the clan of the legendary Rob Roy MacGregor, a soldier and cattleman in the 18th century who was branded an outlaw when he defaulted on a debt. After waging his own private blood feud with the Duke of Montrose he became a folk hero, thanks in part to the book written about him by Sir Walter Scott. The clan was also one of the first Scottish families to begin playing the bagpipes in the 17th century!

Gregor sites to visit

The Trossachs, Dunbartonshire

This beautiful area of lochs, woods and mountains was home to Rob Roy. It’s a romantic and atmospheric place to visit and you’re sure to come away inspired with a passion for the past.

Plan your lowland adventure in the Trossachs

Mackenzie sites to visit

Eilean Donan Castle, Scottish Highlands

This is one of the most famous and spectacular of all Scottish castles – it’s worth a visit even without the Mackenzie connection! But if you are part of the clan then you can feel proud to know that Eilean Donan Castle was long held by the Mackenzies of Kintail from the 13th century onwards.

• Location: 20-minute drive from the Isle of Skye
• Opening times: vary depending on season

Experience the magic of Eilean Donan Castle

Macrae sites to visit

Eilean Donan Castle, Scottish Highlands

If you are touring the lands of Clan MacRae, visiting Eilean Donan castle – one of the most iconic images of Scotland – is a must. It featured in the movie Highlander and The World is Not enough and is a gathering point for MacRaes near and far.

• Location: 20-minute drive from the Isle of Skye
• Opening times: vary depending on season

Experience the magic of Eilean Donan Castle

There are many Scottish clan names that are variations on the name Murray, including Moray, Murrie, Murry, MacMurray, Morrow and the Irish O’Murray, Murrihy, and O’Muireadhaigh. Famous family members include President Franklin D Roosevelt’s great-great-great grandfather and, in more recent years, Andy Murray. Clan Murray also maintains Europe’s only legal private army, the Atholl Highlanders, who take their salute at Blair Castle.

Murray sites to visit

Blair Castle, Scottish Highlands

You won’t forget your visit to Blair Castle, complete with towers, turrets, twisting staircases and labyrinthine corridors. Admire the paintings and grounds as well as a fascinating collection of weapons, hunting trophies and souvenirs of the Murray clan.

• Location: 30 miles from Perth
• Opening times: open daily

Find out more about visiting Blair Castle

Culloden, Scottish Highlands

Lord George Murray was a talented general who led the Jacobite charge at the Battle of Culloden. Despite his military sharpness, the cause was defeated. You can learn all about how this tragic event affected the Murray family at the excellent visitor centre near the battle site.

• Location: 5 miles east of Inverness.
• Opening times: vary depending on season

Find out more about the Culloden experience

Discover more about the Murray Clan

The clan of the royal Stewarts ruled Scotland from 1371 to 1603 and included the reigns of Mary Queen of Scots and her son, James VI of Scotland and I of England.

The Stewarts have built and lived in some of Scotland’s most luxurious and formidable strongholds, including Stirling Castle, Edinburgh Castle, Linlithgow Palace, Falkland Palace, Castle Stuart, Castle Stalker, Traquair House, the Palace of Holyroodhouse, Craigmillar Castle, Mount Stuart and the Earl’s Palace in Kirkwall.

Stuart sites to visit

Edinburgh

• Edinburgh Castle – start your visit at the dramatic castle in the heart of the city, once owned by the Stewart clan.
• The Palace of Holyroodhouse – perhaps most closely associated with Mary Queen of Scots, it’s also where the current monarch stays when in Edinburgh
• The Corinthian monument on Calton Hill – take a short climb up Calton Hill and admire the views from this monument which was erected in memory of Dugald Stewart (1753-1828), a philosopher and teacher of Sir Walter Scott.
• East Lothian – just a short drive from Edinburgh, visit the battlefield of Prestonpans where Bonnie Prince Charlie led the Jacobites to victory at the start of the 1745 Rising.
• The National Museum of Scotland – Jackie Stewart won three Formula One Drivers’ Championships. Take a trip to this free museum and keep your eyes peeled for his 1971 car.

Get inspired and find out more about visiting Edinburgh

Wallace sites to visit

The National Wallace Monument, Stirling

Perched on a lofty crag, this monument to the famous leader towers over the bend in the river where Wallace led the Scots to victory at Stirling Bridge. Inside, see the fascinating exhibits about Wallace including his famous sword. The view from the top is well worth the climb up the stairs!

• Location: 9-minute drive from Stirling
• Opening times: vary depending on season

Take a trip to the Wallace Monument