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27
THE CLAN OF GRANT.
War Cry ."Stand Fast Craig Elaichaidh " ("The Rock of Alarm")
Clan Pipe Music :- March "Stad Creag Ealachaidh" ("Stand Fast Craigellachie").
Badge. Giuthas (Pine Tree).
iESPITE tlie alleged Norman descent given in the book of "The Chiefs of Grant,"
James Robertson, F.S.A., is of a different opinion. "The origin of this clan," he
asserts, " whose territory has always chiefly been in Strathspey, is purely Gaelic. As
to the chiefs being of French descent, it may be dismissed, as the clan themselves
have always, from the most remote times, acknowledged they are of the same stock
"
as the MacG regors.
Sir Laurence and Robert, "dicti Graunt," appear in 1258 as witnesses to an
agreement with Archibald, Bishop of Moray. The former was Sheriff of Inverness
in the time of Alexander III. (1249-58), and by marriage with the heiress of Glencharney
acquired many lands, in short, the greater part of Strathspey.
John Grant of Inverallan and Robert Grant were taken prisoners at the battle
of Dunbar in 1296, and in 1316 the former received a charter of the lands of Inverallan,
in which he was succeeded by his son Patrick of Stratherrick.
A Sir John Grant was taken prisoner at Halidon Hill in 1333, and in 1346 he obtained the
keeping of the Castle of Darnaway. In 1366 " Johanna le Graunte" was witness to a charter in the
Castle of Kildruinuiie. John Roy Grant was Sheriff of Inverness in 1434.
The first of the Grants of French ie was Duncan le Grant, 1434-85. He married Muriel, daughter
of Malcolm, tenth chief of Macintosh.
John Grant of Freuchie and Grant, a strenuous supporter of James IV., married in 14S4 a
daughter of Ogilvie of Deskford, and left three sons Jarnes, his successor, ancestor of the Earls of
Seafield ; John, on whom he bestowed the Barony of Corrimony in 1509 and John Mhor ; (a natural
son), to whom he gave Glenmorriston.
The approaching Reformation gave the Grants fresh opportunities of adding to their possessions.
Thus, in 1J39, Jamea, third Laird of Freuchie, became Baillie of the Abbey of Kinloss, and in 1569
his son John obtained a gift of the Abbey.
Sir James Grant of that Ilk, and his son Ludovick, eighth Laird of Freuchie, adhered to William
II. of Scotland, or Orange, and were with the clan in the fight at the Hanghs of Cromdale. In 1715
and 1745 he adhered to the House of Hanover, but Glenmorriston was "out" for the Stuarts, and
fought in the whole campaign, which ended at Culloden. In 1715 the strength of the clan was 800
men, as given by General Wade ; in 174o, at 850 men. The marriage of Ludovick to Margaret,
daughter of James, Earl of Seafield, brought that title into the family in the person of her grandson,
Sir Lewis Alexander Grant, in 1811.
There are three Baronets of the surname Dalvey, 1688 ; Monymusk, 1705 : and Ballindalloch
(a MacPherson), 1S3S.
A line, now extinct, were the Grants of Dunlugus, one of whom became Governor of Silesia.
Patrick Grant of Dunlugus died there in 1759, and was succeeded by his brother John, Major of the
Prussian Guards, and A.D.C. to the King.
After Culloden eighty-four of the Glenmorriston Grants, who laid down their arms in May,
were transported to the Barbadoes, in violation of their terms of surrender, and sold as slaved.
This branch wears a tartan different in sett from the rest of the clan.
A small obelisk at Corrimony marks the grave of the last Laird of that glen. He was au
advocate, ami author of " The Origin of the Gael," " Essays on the Origin of Society," etc. It bears
the following inscription :
"
Here lies what was mortal of James Grant, Esq., the last of the Grants of Corrimony. Born
13th April 1743, died 12th September 1835."
Two regimenta were raised out of the clan" The Grant or Strathspey Fencibles " in 179::, and
the old " 97th " or " Strathspey Regiment " in the following year. The first was dibbanded in 17'.'9 ;
the other was, after serving as marines on board of Lord Howe's fleet, drafted into other Highland
regiments in 17l'5.