The Highlanders of Scotland - Clan Strachan Society

2/8 T H E H I G H L A N D E R S [part II
CHAPTER VI.
II.—Moray.
The Maormors of Moray were, during
the tenth and eleventh
centuries, by far the most powerful chiefs in ^
Scotland ^
;
Moray. _
_
their immense territories extended from the eastern
nearly to the western seas, and their power and influence over
the whole of the north of Scotland. They were the only chiefs
who attempted, during this period to resist the encroachments of
the Norwegians, and although that resistance was unsuccessful,
yet in consequence of a connexion which was formed between
the head of their race, and the Norwegian earl, the very success
of the Norwegians ultimately contributed to increase the power
of the Maormors of Moray, and to extend over Scotland the
tribes dependent upon them. Three of these Maormors suc-
ceeded in attaining the crown of Scotland, and until the fall of
their race, before the increasing power of the kings of the line of
Malcom Kenmore, they ma}' be considered as kings of the
Highlands.
It has been previously remarked, that the Highland clans are
divided by the old Highland genealogies into five great classes,
and that one of these consists of the Macphersons, Macintoshes,
and Macnaughtans ; to these there is reason to add, as we shall
afterwards see, the Camerons, Macleans, Macmillans, and
Monroes ; and this great division, which extends from Inverness
even as far as Cowall and Kintyre, is proved by the same manu-
script to be descended from the ancient inhabitants of Mora}',
for among the genealogies of these clans, it contains the gene-
alogy of the ancient Maormors of Moray, and connects the other
clans with that line. The old name of this tribe has also been
preserved to us by Tighernac, who calls Finlay Macrory, who
"
was undoubtedl}- Maormor of Moray, Maormor mhic Croeb."
By the defeat and death of Donald Macmalcolm, king of Scot-