Clan McLaurin of Appin (Gaelic: Clann Labhrainn) is a Scottish clan descended from Loarn Mac Erc who settled in Argyle from the Dál Riata kingdom in Ireland in 503 CE. The origin legend of the clan includes the assistance of a mermaid in bring Loarn Mac Erc to the shores of Scotland, which legend has led to the inclusion of the mermaid in heraldic instruments of the clan dating from the nineteenth century.
The clan is the subject of the ancient Irish poem The Albantic Duan:
Translation
This poem has been described as "the oldest and most authentic record of the Scottish kings".
Clan McLaurin were widely spread throughout Appin and south to Loch Etive.
26 May 1692 John McClaurine of Lismore.
1699 Gave money to John Stewart, cousin of Appin Ellerige: Hew McLaren Appin: Hew McLarren and son John
Tenants of Robert Stewart of Appin Eleride: Hew, John, Donald and Hew McLarane Lettershewna: Neil McLarane
Tenants of John Stewart of Ardshelle Ardshelle: Donald McLeran
Tenants of John Stewart of Fasnacloich (Ballachulish) Fasnacloich: Neil McLauren Sallachoile (Sallachan): Neil, Lauchline, John, Donald
1715/16 Rentals received by Robert Stewart of Appin Sheuna: Ewen McLaren Sounay: Evan McLauran and Donald McLauran Blairnaloay: Duncan McLaren, Lauchlin and Donald McLaury (Blarnaloughe, Glenahyle) Elarick: Duncan, Lachlan, Lachlan younger, John
21 July 1725 John McLaurin in Cornbliskag (Carrivlickaig), Glencreran, parish of Appin.
During the Jacobite rising of 1715 the Clan McLaurin fought at the Braes of Mar, the Battle of Sheriffmuir with the Stewarts of Appin in support of the Jacobite Rebellion.
During the Jacobite rising of 1745 the Clan McLaurin fought in the Appin Regiment at the Battle of Prestonpans and the Battle of Falkirk Muir. McLaurins were also at the Battle of Culloden in 1746 where fourteen were killed, thirteen survivors, with four wounded. The Appin Regiment was under the command of Col. Charles Stewart of Ardsheal.
Appin McLaurins in the Appin Regiment during the Jacobite rising of 1745.
From the Appin Estate: Appin; Lauchlane McLarine, Blarnalough; John Bane McLearan, Blarnalough servant to old Lauchlan McLearan, (stayed home); Hugh McLarine tenant, Elerick; Lauchlane McLarine, Glenourock; Donald McLarine, Glenourock; Lachlan McLearan, Doctor, Glenourock; Donald McLearan, his servant, Glenourock; Learon McLearan, servant, Glenourock; John McLearan/McLarine, boat carpenter, Glenourock; Hugh McLaren, Brother of Dr Mclaren, Glenure, Appin. John McLarine, Kenlochlaigh; Ewen McLarine, Shuana
From the Croft of Annate’s Estate: Appin; (Donald Carmichael) Hugh McLarine, Annat
From Aird’s Estate: Appin; Donald McLarine, holder, Auchblar; Duncan McLarine/McLearan, tenant, Auchblar; Hugh McLarine, tenant, Auchblar Lachlan McLearan, tenant, Auchblar; Euan McLearan, tenant, Auchblar; Duncan McLearan, tenant John McLarine, tenant, Auchacharr; Donald McLarine, tenant, Auchacharr;
From Ardsheal’s Estate: Appin; John McLarine, Acharr; Donald McLarine, Acharr; Lachlan Maclarine, Keil
From Fasnacloich Estate: Appin; Donald McLarine/McLearan, servant to Fasnacloich, Fasnacloich; Ewine/Euan McLarine/McLearan, a miller, perhaps the miller that Invernayhle called off killing Whitefoord of Ballochmyle at Prestonpans when they took the battery.
From Invernyale’s Estate: Appin; Duncan McLarine, Invernayle; b.1724; d. 1809 interred. Stewartsville Cemetery. N.C., USA
From Glenure in Ardchattan Parish: Appin; Euan Bane McLearan servant to Duncan Campbell, Glenure; Duncan McLearan his other servant, Glenure; John McLearan brother to the above an idle man,
McLarine. Saltoun MS List of 3 May 1746 compiled by Dougal Stewart, 10th chief of Appin, From: Eoin Og Stewart, Lt. to Stewart of Appin, 29 Aug 1999.
McLearan The Stonefield list was compiled at Castle Stalker on 6 July 1746 - have not turned in arms - published by Stewart and Stewart (1993).
600: Cenél Loairn (Clan McLaurin), spread out over the rugged country of northern Argyll.
697: Ferchar mac Feredaig, seventh generation chief of the clan died. For a short time, Ferchar had been King of Dalriada, Argyll.
701: The King of Dalriada lays waste to Dunollie, a stronghold of Clan McLaurin, near present-day Oban, Argyll.
733-736: Muiredach mac Ainbcellaig, Chief of Clan McLaurin, may have been King of Dalriada.
843: Kenneth MacAlpin overthrew the southern Picts, and was crowned King of all Scotland. It is known that the chief of the tribe of Laurin of Argyll received a due share from MacAlpin. Balquhidder and Strathearn has ever been known as "the country " of the Clan Laurin,
1296: Chiefs of Clan Labhrainn sign the Ragman Rolls, Lorn de Ardebechey del counte de Perth (Ardviech, Strath Earn), Morice de Tiry del counte de Perth (Glen Lochay, Loch Tay) and Conan de Bithweder del counte de Perth (Balquhidder)
1344: Clan McLaurin lost the inherited rights to their lands when they were forfeited by the Earls of Strathearn.
1445: Sir John Stewart 2nd of Lorn met and fell in love with the daughter of Labhran of Ardveich, Chief of Clan Labhrainn.
1463: Dugald McLaurin of Ardveich now at age 18 is legitimized and summoned to Dunstaffnage Castle where Sir John Stewart 2nd of Lorn marries Dugald’s mother, after Alan MacCoul attempts to murder Sir John who dies a few days later 20 Dec. 1463.
1468: Dugald McLaurin Stewart of Ardveich and his McLaurin clan supporters settle in Appin amongst more numerous older inhabitants Livingstones, Carmichaels and McColls. The people of Lorn abandoned by Walter Campbell of Lorn made the exodus known in Lorn as the "Inveich mor" or "great flitting" from the southern portion of Lorne, Scotland to Upper Lorne, or Appin, following the fortunes of Dugald McLaurin Stewart of Ardveich as chief of the clan in Appin.
1469: Dugald McLaurin of Ardveich and 1st Stewart of Appin, rightful Lord of Lorn, now first Chief of Clan Stewart of Appin.
1470: Dugald McLaurin Stewart of Ardveich and 1st Appin receives the Braes of Lorne, the region between Loch Creran and Loch Leven. His duthchas is the Stalcair hunting lodge (Castle Stalker). He marries the daughter of M’Dougall of M’Dougall of Nether Lorn, the first Lords of Lorn.
1497: Dugald McLaurin Stewart of Appin starts rebuilding Castle Stalker for King James IV in Appin, near Lismore on the shores of Loch Linnhe. As a reprisal for cattle reiving Dugald McLaurin Stewart of Appin and his followers raid Clan MacDonald of Keppoch in Glen Orchy. Dugald and McDonald are both killed in this battle.
1501: Campbell of Argyll and Campbell of Glenurchy recognize Duncan Stewart, 2nd of Appin as holder direct from the Crown the whole of Appin and Lismore. By right of heritage from his father Dugald McLaurin Stewart of Ardveich and 1st of Appin.
1512: Duncan McLaurin Stewart 2nd of Appin murderded by McLean of Duart while visiting McLean. He is buried by McLeay of Bachuill on Lismore. Upon his death Dugald McLaurin Stewart of Ardveich and 1st of Appin’s second son Allan becomes Allan McLaurin Stewart 3rd of Appin.
1546: Donald Stewart, second of Invernahyle, so well known as Domhnull-nan-ord, or "Donald of the hammers" with a McLaurin Chieftain killed Green Colin Campbell at Eilean Stalcair in Loch Tulla with an arrow to the chest as he attempted to swim to the island.
1547: Battle of Pinkie: Donald "of the hammers" Invernayhle was appointed tutor (Commander) of the Appin clan.
1645: Records belonging to the Appin family, which were accessible to Brown when he compiled his genealogical tree, disappeared, and many of the Ardveich papers were also destroyed, when Alister M'Colla burned the house.
1689: The Stewarts of Appin along with their McLaurin, MacColl, Clan Carmichael and Clan MacLea supporters took part in the Battle of Killiecrankie, to support the cause of James VII of Scotland.
1715: The Appin McLaurins as part of the Appin Stewarts, participated in the battles on the Braes of Mar, Sheriffmuir, and Prestonpans.
1745: Twenty-seven Appin McLaurins fight in the Appin Regiment throughout the Jacobite rising of 1745 to support Charles Edward Stuart. Fourteen killed, thirteen survivors with four wounded.
1752: The Highland Clearances come to Appin with Ballachulish and Glen Etive Clan McLaurin tenants emigrating to the Carolinas as Appin estates are forfeited to the Crown.
1790: Sixteen families of Appin McLaurins emigrate to North Carolina. Many of these Appin McLaurins are interred at Stewartsville Cemetery, including Duncan McLaurin a survivor of Culloden.
