Murray of Atholl Tartans
(Left - Ancient/Right - Modern)

April 6th is Tartan Day, which commemorates the signing of the Declaration of Arbroath on April 6, 1320. The Declaration of Arbroath was Scotland’s “Declaration of Independence” from England. It may not have worked out especially well, but more than 400 years later it was a significant influence on America’s own Declaration of Independence. 

Tartan Day is a recognized American holiday, by Senate Resolution 155, passed on Monday, March 20, 1998. If you’re interested in Tartan Day festivities in your area, please check your regional Scottish societies and clan sites. 

In honor of Tartan Day, I would like to share some of the history of my family, the Murrays. My maiden name is Murray.
My father’s people came from Scotland in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. My dad was the third generation of Murrays born in the US. I would love to attach photos of my grandfather or great-grandfather, but the Murrays have a long history of document destruction. 

Clann Mhoraidh (believe it or not, pronounced “Clan Murray”) originated in the ancient Pictish Province of Moray, located in the area surrounding Inverness. In the mid 12th century, the area was under the rebellious influence of King MacBeth’s descendants. (King MacBeth was an actual person, not the fictionalized man of Shakespeare.)

The sitting king, David I, sent a Flemish knight named Ollec Freskin to banish the rebels. Freskin was granted extensive authority and lands in the Province of Moray. Freskin’s family intermarried with the ancient royal family of Moray, descendants of the Picts. The descendants of this family were designated “de Moravia” which in Lowland Scots became “Murray.” 

In 1297, Sir Andrew Murray took up the cause of Scottish independence and, with Sir William Wallace, raised a rebellion against Edward of England. In the 14th century during the Wars of Scottish Independence the Clan Murray led by Chief Sir Andrew Murray fought in the first uprising against the English conquerors in 1297.

Chief Andrew Murray was mortally wounded while leading the Clan Murray at the famous victory at the Battle of Stirling Bridge 1297. His son, Sir Andrew Murray, 4th Lord of Bothwell, third Regent of Scotland, married Christian Bruce, a sister of King Robert the Bruce. Sir Andrew Murray led the Murrays at the Battle of Halidon Hill and was captured by the English at Roxburgh in 1333. He was released in time to relieve his wife who had been bravely holding out and defending Kildrummy Castle against the English. (Our women are also historic badasses.)  

Bothwell Castle, one of the most visually striking and powerful strongholds in Scotland was built by the Murrays and remained the seat of the clan chief until 1360, when the castle was lost to the Douglas family. It was not until the 16th century that the Murrays of Tullibardine were recorded again when they regained the title and castle.

 
Bothwell Castle

Not all of the Murrays were war heroes. John Murray (1715-1777) was captured during a rebellion and taken to London where he was persuaded to save his life by turning king’s evidence. He was known from then on as “Mr. Evidence Murray.” Hey, they can’t all be the real hero of badly researched movies.

Today, the Murray legacy lives on in the Duke of Atholl, born and raised in South Africa, where he still resides. He visits Scotland annually as the commander of the Atholl Highlanders, a military regiment based in Blair Atholl, Scotland. They are not part of the British Army, but rather a private regiment of the Duke of Atholl.

It is Europe’s only legal private army, given their colors by Queen Victoria in 1845. The principal duty of the Atholl Highlanders is to furnish sentries and Guards of Honor for royal visitors to Blair Castle. Officers of the Atholl highlanders come from the chieftans and lairds of Perthshire (where Blair Castle is located). 

The Atholl Highlanders stood guard during visits to Blair Castle for the Crown prince of Japan in 1921 and King Fasal of Iraq in 1933 as well providing guards for frequent royal visitors on their way to Balmoral. After 1933 they had little activity but were reformed by George Ian Murray 10th Duke of Atholl in 1966. John Murray the 11th Duke of Atholl decided to continue the tradition. 

The Atholl Highlanders use the Murray tartan, crest, symbols and motto, which is carved into the keystone of Blair Castle: “Furth Fortune and Fill the Fetters.” Loosely translated, that means, “Go forth against your enemies, have good fortune and return with captives.”
Now you know where I get it.   

Badges of the Murray Clan: 
 

On the left is the Aitionn (Juniper). On the right is the Gaig-bhealaidh (Butchers Broom) Clans traditionally used plants as badges in order to recognize fellow clan members. Clansmen may wear a sprig of plant badge pinned behind the clan crest badge on a man’s bonnet or a lady’s sash-badge brooch.

Tullibardine Kirk–Ancient burial place of the Murrays 

 Murray of Tullibardine Tartan

I owe a large debt of gratitude to ClanMurray.org for source materials and all of the photos for this blog.
I also would like to thank my Nana, Lillian Allen-Murray-Llewellyn for getting hitched to a Scottish boy.