Clan Buchanan


Clan Buchanan is a Highlands Scottish Clan whose origins are said to lie in the 1225 grant of lands on the eastern shore of Loch Lomond to clergyman Sir Absalon of Buchanan by the Earl of Lennox.

History

Etymology

The name is said to derive from Macauselan. The following two names are given as the root of the territorial name Buchanan, Mac a Chanonaich and Buth Chanain.

11th-13th centuries and origins

Traditionally, Clan Buchanan can trace its chiefly line back to Anselan O Kyan who was of the clan Ó Catháin, provincial king of north Ulster who landed in Argyll in 1016. For his services against the Danes he is traditionally said to have received the lands of Buchanan from king Malcolm II which lie to the east of Loch Lomond around the village of Killearn.
However, the traditional account is inconsistent with other accounts for the period in Ireland, and may be little more than an origin myth.
During the reign of Malduin, Mormaer of Lennox, 1217–1250, Anselan was granted, in 1225, the island of Clareinch.. He is referred to as 'clericus meus', meaning 'my clergyman'. He is subsequently recorded as Absalom de Buchanan and it is understood that to have this title, there must have been other grants of land in the parish of Buchanan. During the reign of king Alexander II, Gilbert de Buchanan, seneschal to the Earl of Lennox, received, in 1231, a charter confirming Clareinch and other lands in Buchanan. It is from the lands of Buchanan that the Clan name is derived.

14th century and Wars of Scottish Independence

Unenviable William Wallace Link. Sir Maurice Buchanan 10th of Buchanan married Margaret Menteth. Margaret was the daughter of Sir Walter Menteth of Rusky, and granddaughter of Sir John of Menteth, Sheriff of Dunbarton Castle, and Helena daughter of Gartnait, Earl of Mar. Sir John is reputed to have betrayed Sir William Wallace to king Edward I of England on 5 Aug 1305. Sir John was imprisoned by king Robert I but in 1314 "through influence of his sons-in-law; Malice, Earl of Strathern; Sir Archibald Campbell, of Lochow; and Maurice Buchanan, of Buchanan, he was released immediately before the Battle of Bannockburn, where he deported himself valiantly on the part of the Scottish king." Sir John was also a signatory to the Declaration of Arbroath in 1320.
During the Wars of Scottish Independence the Clan Buchanan supported King Robert the Bruce by aiding his escape in 1306, the chief, Maurice 10th of Buchanan, refused to sign the Ragman Roll, and the chief and lairds of the clan served under Malcolm the Earl of Lennox. It is tradition and likely given the aforementioned service, but ill-documented, that the clan fought at the Battle of Bannockburn.
During the reign of king David II, undated, at least part of the lands of Buchanan belonged to Sir Gilbert Carrick.
During the reign of Donald Mormaer of Lennox, and confirmed by the king David II in 1370/71, "Confirmation is of charter by Donald, Earl of Lennox, in favour of Maurice Buchanan, son and heir of late Maurice Buchanan, of that carucate of land called Buchanan with Sallochy, with these bounds ie Akehin up to Aldmarr just as it descends below the water of Hanerch , and the land of Sallochy, with these bounds, from Sallochy all along to Kelg and then it descends to the water of Lochlomon , to hold in fee and with the freedom to hold as many courts with jurisdiction of life and limb as he may wish."

15th century, Hundred Years' War and other clan conflicts

, second son of Walter Buchanan of Buchanan, led men of the clan in support of the French against the English at the Battle of Baugé in 1421. It is said that Sir Alexander Buchanan came face to face with the Duke of Clarence and, escaping his thrust, pierced the Duke through the left eye, killing him. Sir Alexander Buchanan however was later killed leading the clan against the English at the Battle of Verneuil in 1424.
The 15th century is a watershed in the evolution of Buchanan heraldry. In the Armorial de Barry, c 1445 the arms of Buchanan are Or, chevron checky of Azure and Argent, and the three boars heads erased and erect of Gules.
The following three events are believed to have resulted in a total transformation in the Chief's arms:
1421 - The Battle of Baugé in which Sir Alexander Buchanan killed the Duke of Clarence.
1425 – Execution by James I of Scotland, of his first-cousin, Murdoch Stewart, Duke of Albany, and Murdoch's two older sons for treason.
1443 – Marriage of Isobel Stewart to Sir Walter Buchanan.
The arms described in the Scots Roll, c1455, 'Or, a lion rampant Sable goutty Or within a double tressure flory counter-flory Sable', contain many of the elements of the arms registered by John Buchanan in 1657, the coat of arms we recognise today. The adoption of the double tressure flory counterflory into the Chief's arms alludes to the nearness of the Buchanan chiefly line to that of the Scottish royal line by the marriage of Isobel Stewart. The Chief's 1657 crest is a hand couped at the wrist holding a ducal cap, which celebrates Sir Alexander Buchanan's slaying of the Duke of Clarence in combat. However, the seal of George Buchanan c1557, 'Three heads erased', is similar to the 1445 arms.
In the 15th century a feud broke out between the Buchanan's of Leny and the Clan MacLaren resulting in a full-scale battle. On the day of a fair where the Clan MacLaren were busy buying, selling and enjoying themselves word came that the Clan Buchanan were marching up towards them through Strathyre. There was no time to lose and the Clan MacLaren rushed to arms. The MacLarens had not all come in by the time the Buchanans arrived, however they were not daunted and attacked the Buchanans. At first the Buchanans were faring better and drove the MacLarens back. The Chief of MacLarens saw one of his sons cut down and being suddenly seized with battle madness turned and shouted the famous MacLaren battle cry "Creag An Tuirc" and whirling his Claymore rushed furiously at the enemy. His clansmen followed him and the Buchanans were cut down like corn. Only two escaped by swimming the River Balvaig but even they were followed. One was cut down at Gartnafuaran and the second was cut down at a place since known by the circumstance as Sron Laine.
In 1497 Kenneth Mackenzie, 8th of Kintail, chief of Clan Mackenzie was killed by the Laird of Buchanan.

16th century, Anglo-Scottish Wars and the King of Kippen

During the Anglo-Scottish Wars the Clan Buchanan fought against the English at the Battle of Flodden in 1513 where the chief's elder son Patrick was killed. However Patrick had already married a daughter of the Earl of Argyll and had two sons and daughters. Later the Clan Buchanan fought against the English at the Battle of Pinkie Cleugh in 1547.
John Buchanan, the second son of Walter Buchanan the 14th of Buchanan and uncle of George Buchanan the 15th of Buchanan, became proprietor of Arnprior, and afterwards the noted "King of Kippen", a phrase which originated in a whimsical episode between himself and James V. The story is well retold by Sir Walter Scott in the following paragraph.

When James V travelled in disguise he used a name which was known only to some of his principal nobility and attendants. He was called the Goodman of Ballengiech. Ballengiech is a steep pass which leads down behind the Castle of Stirling. Once upon a time when he was feasting in Stirling, the King sent for some venison from the neighbouring hills. The deer were killed and put on horse’s backs, to be transported to Stirling. Unluckily they had to pass the castle gates of Arnpryor, belonging to a chief of the Buchanans, who had a considerable number of guests with him. It was late, and the company were rather short of victuals, though they had more than enough of liquor. The chief, seeing so much fat venison passing his very door, seized on it; and to the expostulations of the keepers, who told him it belonged to King James, he answered insolently, that if James was King in Scotland, he, Buchanan, was King in Kippen, being the name of the district in which the Castle of Arnpryor lay. On hearing what had happened, the King got on horseback, and rode instantly from Stirling to Buchanan's house, where he found a strong fierce looking Highlander, with an axe on his shoulder, standing sentinel at the door. This grim warder refused the King admittance, saying, that the Laird of Arnpryor was at dinner, and would not be disturbed. “Yet go up to the company my good friend,” said the King, “and tell him that the Goodman of Ballengiech is come to feast with the King of Kippen.” The porter went grumbling into the house, and told his master, that there was a fellow with a red beard, who called himself the Goodman of Ballengiech, at the gate, who said he was come to dine with the King of Kippen. As soon as Buchanan heard these words, he knew that the King was there in person, and hastened down to kneel at James's feet, and to ask forgiveness for his insolent behaviour. But the King, who only meant to give him a fright, forgave him freely, and going into the castle feasted on his own venison which Buchanan had intercepted. Buchanan of Arnpryor was ever afterwards called the King of Kippen.

17th century, Wars of the Three Kingdoms and loss of the Buchanan Estate

During the Wars of the Three Kingdoms Sir George Buchanan commanded the Stirlingshire Regiment and led the clan at the Battle of Dunbar on the side of the Scottish Covenanters. He later led the clan at the Battle of Inverkeithing but here he was captured and died in captivity later the same year. It is claimed that in Buchanan's Stirlingshire Regiment "most of his officers, and a good many of the soldiers" were of the name Buchanan, and that at the Battle of Inverkeithing a "vast number of the name Buchanan" died. Other Buchanans involved with the Royalist cause include:
  1. David Buchanan, Royalist soldier captured at Worchester. Transported on the John and Sarah, from Gravesend 13 May 1652 to Boston.
  2. John Buchanan, Royalist soldier captured at Worchester. Transported on the John and Sarah, from Gravesend 13 May 1652 to Boston.
Some Buchanans fought on the side of the Covenanters at the Battle of Bothwell Brig in 1679. One was George Buchanan , the son of Andrew Buchanan of Gartacharne. George was the father of four of Glasgow's most distinguished citizens: George Buchanan of Moss and Auchentoshan, Andrew Buchanan of Drumpellier, Archibald Buchanan of Silverbanks and Auchentortie and Neil Buchanan of Hillington. These four sons were among the founding members of the charity, The Buchanan Society of Glasgow.
The full scope of Buchanan Covenanters is unknown; however,
  1. Alexander Buchanan, Buchlivie, Covenanter, was sent from Tollbooth, 12 Dec 1678, on St. Michael of Scarborough, to Themes for on forwarding to the American plantations.
  2. Andrew Buchanan, Shirgarton, Covenanter, was sent from Tollbooth, 12 Dec 1678, on St. Michael of Scarborough, to Themes for on forwarding to the American plantations.
  3. Gilbert Buchanan, Glasgow, banished to the Indies, 13 Jun 1678.
, from James Logan's The Clans of the Scottish Highlands, 1845.
Regarding the Buchanan Estate, according to William Buchanan of Auchmar, "The most flourishing condition it has been in, for diverse ages, was upon the last laird's accession to it". At this time the estate included the Barony of Buchanan, "several lands in the parishes of Killearn, Strablane, and others in Lennox" ; "the whole estate of Badindalloch" ; and "the estate of Craigmillar in Midlothian". Along with the inheritance of the estate and clan chiefship, there was significant debt. John Buchanan was unwilling to receive his inheritance until his brother-in-law to be, David Erskine, 2nd Lord Cardross, arranged for creditors to accept as payment only a portion of what was owed. Debt continued to plague John Buchanan, and in about 1680, he and his named successor, Major George Grant, sold some of the Highland lands to James Grahame, the Third Marquess of Montrose. It appears that there were other claimants to the Highland lands and as a guarantee that the sale would proceed, John Buchanan offered the Barony of Buchanan as security. It transpired that the sale did not proceed and the Marquess of Montrose became the owner of the Barony of Buchanan and it became the seat of Clan Graham. Prior to the sale, John Buchanan of Arnpryor had been the estate manager for John Buchanan. After the sale, John Buchanan of Arnpryor received a quarter of the estate from the Marquess of Montrose for his services and assistance in evicting the whole estate.

18th century and Jacobite uprisings

As a unified entity, Clan Buchanan took no part in the Jacobite uprisings of 1715 to 1716 or the 1745 to 1746 uprising. A likely contributing factor was the leadership vacuum resulting from the death of the last Chief in c1681. There is clear evidence of some Buchanans supporting the Jacobite cause while others were supporting the Government cause.
Jacobite supporters.
1) Alexander Buchanan, born 1728, son of the Laird of Auchleishie, Callander, Perthshire, Stirlingshire, Jacobite Captain in the Duke of Perth's Regiment, prisoner at Perth, Canongate, Carlisle, ship, and London; transported 22 Apr 1747 from Liverpool to the Colony of Maryland on the ship "Johnson",
2) John Buchanan, servant to Alexander Buchanan, resident of Auchterarder, Perthshire, Jacobite in the Duke of Perth's Regiment, prisoner at Auchterarder, Stirling, and Carlisle; transported 24 Feb 1747 on the ship "Gildart" to the Colony of Maryland.
3) John Buchanan, brewer from Kilmahog, Callander. Joined the Jacobites and went with them to Crieff. Released.
4) Francis Buchanan, of Arnpryor, Lenny House, Callander. Arrested before battle of Culloden for stockpiling weapons. Tried for high treason and executed at Carlisle 18 Oct 1746. Writing to Philip Webb on 9 Sep 1746, Lord Milton, the Lord Justice Clerk, said of Francis Buchanan that it would be of "more consequence to His Majesty’s Service … to get rid of such a person than to convict 99 of the lowest rank." For further details on whether Francis Buchanan of Arnprior was the chief of the clan, see the section below.
5) Patrick Buchanan, brother of Francis Buchanan of Arnpryor, brewer from Kilmahog, Callander. Joined the Jacobites in the Duke of Perth's Regiment and went with them to Crieff. Tried at Carlisle and acquitted on account of his youth.
6) Thomas Buchanan, brother of Francis Buchanan of Arnpryor. Tried and acquitted on account of his youth.
7) Robert Buchanan, Jacobite Captain in the Duke of Perth's Regiment, son of Baillie Buchanan in Boghastle, Callander. Killed at Culloden.
8) John Buchanan, in Stuart of Appin's Regiment, died in prison.
9) John Buchanan, in Gordon of Glenbuckett's Regiment, from Inverness-shire, assumed died at Culloden.
10) John Buchanan, servant to David Stewart of Ballachallan in Strathallan?s Perthshire Horse. Subsequent condition unknown.
11) Duncan Buchanan, prominent Jacobite agent and clerk to Aeneas MacDonald, the banker to Charles Edward Stuart in Paris. He was one of "The Seven Men of Moidart." Subsequent condition unknown.
Government supporters.
A list of Buchanans serving in British Army, Royal Navy or other Government roles at the time of the Jacobite uprisings has yet to be compiled.
1) Andrew Buchanan of Drumpellier, Tobacco Lord and Lord Provost of Glasgow. After the Jacobite victory at the battle of Prestonpans, John Hay, quarter-master of Prince Charles’ Jacobite Army, arrived at Glasgow 25 Sep 1745 with a letter demanding a loan of £15,000. Buchanan and five others were chosen to negotiate with Hay, and succeeded in obtaining a reduction to £5,500. On account of Buchanan's zeal in raising new levies on behalf of the government, the Jacobites demanded in December 1745 a special levy of £500 from him. Despite threats of military execution, he replied "they might plunder his house if they pleased, for he would not pay one farthing."
2) Archibald Buchanan of Drummakill, overt supporter of the Government, magistrate and militia officer. After the defeat at Culloden on 16 Apr 1746, the escaping William Murray, Marquis of Tullibardine, took refuge in the Loch Lomond house of Archibald Buchanan of Drummakill. Depending on the source, Drummakill accepted the surrender of the exhausted Tullibardine, captured him or, in defiance of Highland hospitality norms, betrayed him to the garrison at Dumbarton Castle. Most sources cite the 'betrayal' version of events and advise that Drummakill was forever after ostracised in Scotland. Tullibardine died 9 Jul 1746 as a prisoner at the Tower of London.

Clan Chiefs

Title of the Chief. The two main Clan historians, Buchanan of Auchmar writing in 1723 uses the term ‘Laird of Buchanan’, while Guthrie Smith writing in 1896 uses the term ‘Laird of Buchanan’ to describe the chiefs up to and including Sir Maurice the 10th of Buchanan and then ‘Buchanan of that Ilk’ up to and including Sir George the 15th of Buchanan and thereafter Buchanan of Buchanan. The chief of a Highland clan could be referred to as the ‘Laird of’, meaning the head of the clan, e.g. Laird of Buchanan. The title ‘of that Ilk’ was historically used by both Highland and Lowland clans to indicate head or chiefship, e.g. Buchanan of that Ilk. However, in the early 19th century ‘of that Ilk’ fell out of favour with Highland chiefs who adopted a duplication of the patronymic, regardless of ownership of territory or estate, e.g. Buchanan of Buchanan. Given the current Highland practice, Buchanan of Buchanan is likely to be the preferred contemporary title but for ease of reading and clarity, n th of Buchanan is used in the following paragraphs. Both the spelling Buchanan and Buchannan are used interchangeably in historical documents.

The Chiefs

The first six Clan Chiefs are poorly represented in historical records and are included by some Clan historians and omitted by others. Buchanan of Auchmar and Guthrie Smith commence their respective numbering of Chiefs at a different person, and describe a different order and number of Chiefs following Sir Walter 11th of Buchanan. In part this is due to the heir apparent not succeeding to the chiefship before he dies and chiefship passing directly from grandfather to grandchild. The following lineage reconciles Guthrie Smith and Buchanan of Auchmar and their respective numbering is in parenthesis.
1st – Anselan O'Kyan, son of a petty king from Ulster, Ireland, in the service of Malcolm II of Scotland from whom he received a grant of land in Lennox. He married an heiress of Denniestoun and by her had a son, John.
2nd – John, whose son and successor was Anselan.
3rd – Anselan, whose son and successor was Walter.
4th – Walter, whose son and successor was Girald.
5th – Girald also called Bernard, whose son and successor was McBeath.
6th –McBeath McCausland, whose son and successor was Anselan.
7th – Anselan McCausland, Seneschal to Earl of Lennox in about 1225 and obtained the charter for the Loch Lomond island of Clareinch, had three sons.
8th – Gilbert Buchanan, whose son and successor was Maurice.
9th – Sir Maurice Buchanan, had three sons.
10th – Sir Maurice Buchanan, lived to a considerable age, married the daughter of Sir William Menteith of Rusk and by her a son and successor.
11th – Sir Walter Buchanan, married Margaret and had three sons and two daughters.
12th – Sir Walter Buchanan, first married an unidentified women and by her three sons and one daughter. He married secondly to Isobel Stewart.
13th – Patrick Buchanan, married Jonet Cunningham of Galbraith and by her a son and a daughter. He also had an illegitimate son.
14th – Walter Buchanan, married Isobel Graham and by her four sons and two daughters.
15th – George Buchanan, succeed his grandfather, Walter 14th of Buchanan, in 1526 and died 1560. He first married Margaret Edmonstone and by her a son and two daughters. Second he married Janet Cunningham and by her had a son and a daughter.
16th – Sir George Buchanan, succeed his grandfather, George 15th of Buchanan, in 1561, married Lady Mary Graham and by her one son and two daughters.
17th – Sir John Buchanan, known for his frequent travels to foreign nations and other extravagances put the estate into much debt, married Annabel Erskin and by her two sons.
18th – Sir George Buchanan, married Elizabeth Preston and by her a son and three daughters. Sir George commanded the Stirlingshire Regiment in the Civil Wars of Charles I, fought at the battle of Dunbar, and was taken prisoner at Inverkeithing. He died in prison in 1651.
19th – John Buchanan, married in 1653 Mary Erskine and by her a daughter. After the death of Mary, he married in 1677 Jean Pringle and by her had a daughter. When he died in 1682, he left no male heirs. He made two attempts to pass the chiefship to suitable candidates by arranging their marriage to his oldest daughter. Firstly to Robert Buchanan, Advocate, and secondly to Major George Grant. In both cases, Elizabeth refused these arranged marriages. Consequently, no arrangement was finalised by which chiefship could be passed on to the descendants of his daughter. He inherited significant debt and during his chiefship, significant parts of the Buchanan Estate were sold, and the final portions of it were lost due to defaulting on creditors. With the lack of male heirs, the direct chiefly line ended at this time.

Current Clan Chief

A petition to claim the chiefship of Clan Buchanan was lodged with the Court of the Lord Lyon in December 2016 and in August 2018 the Lord Lyon allowed the petition thus recognising John Michael Baillie-Hamilton Buchanan as the chief of Clan Buchanan. After a gap of 337 years, the clan now has a recognised chief. The Lord Lyon was satisfied that the petitioner:
The reputed burial ground of the chiefs of Clan Buchanan is in the grounds of the Old Buchanan Parish Church. This church, the Chapel of St Mary & St Michael, served as a parish church after the abandonment of Inchcailleach in 1621 until a new church, in Milton of Buchanan, was built about 1764. Nothing now remains of the original chapel.

Other people with some measure of recognition as chief

The following four people have been cited as chief of Clan Buchanan but none appears to have been formally recognised by the Court of the Lord Lyon. Before addressing the claims to chiefship it is necessary to establish how the office and title of chief is passed to succeeding generations in Scotland.
Patrilineal Descent. Firstly, the office and title is usually passed patrilineally in descending order of male birth then descending order of female birth, hence the oldest surviving son is the heir presumptive. If the heir presumptive produces no heirs, then on the heir presumptive's death the office and title goes to the next younger son, etc., then eldest daughter, etc. The term ‘cadet’ is used to describe family groups which are descendants of younger sons, thus the oldest surviving son of each generation maintains the main or principal family line, and younger sons establish cadet lines. In the case of the chiefly line of Buchanan, the first recognised cadet was Buchanan of Auchneiven and the last was Buchanan of Auchmar. Cadets can have their own cadets, e.g. Buchanans of Drumpellier, Auchintorlie, Craigend and Hillington are cadets of Buchanan of Leny through Gartacharne. When chiefly line is extinguished, the most recent cadet line to branch off the chiefly line becomes the new chiefly line.
Maintenance of Surname. Secondly the office and title is implicitly linked to the surname, thus a McKay, a Cairns, etc. cannot be chief of Clan Buchanan. In some cases, where the heir is a daughter, arrangements have been made so that her husband and children assume her surname, and thus the office and title can be passed to her offspring. This practice has given rise to the use of compound names. The matter of principal names was established by the Lord Lyon Innes of Learney when in the case of Monro-Lucas-Tooth that he was a Tooth rather than a Monro or Lucas. It is now clearly established that it is the last name which decides the matter. Thus by the Court of the Lord Lyon, a Moodie-Buchanan is consider a Buchanan but a Buchanan-Moodie is considered a Moodie. Further, in the case of a chief as the representer of the family, the surname cannot be a compound surname.

Major George Buchanan (alias Major George Grant)

Neither Guthrie Smith nor Buchanan of Auchmar identify him as a chief ; however, Buchanan of Auchmar advises that John Buchanan transferred "his estate to an old comrade of his, Major George Grant, Governor of Dumbarton castle, with this provision, that the Major should marry his eldest daughter, and assume the name and arms of Buchanan; reserving his own life-rent and his lady's jointure, and settling the estate so as to return to Buchanan's heirs-male, and, failing heirs of Grant's own body, to Buchanan's heirs whatsoever." Despite George Grant never marrying the daughter of John Buchanan, National Archives of Scotland records show the legal paperwork for this transfer occurred on 9 Apr 1679. NAS records show that by late 1679, George Grant had assumed the name George Buchanan, and that by 28 Aug 1680 he was cited as being Major George Buchanan of that Ilk. Major George Buchanan never married and by his death had "given up all Buchanan evidences, both the rights and the fortune."

Buchanan of Arnprior

Sir Walter Scott in 1830, cites Francis Buchanan of Arnpryor, who was executed at Carlisle on 18 Oct 1746 for high treason for his role in the Jacobite uprising, as being the chief of the family Buchanan. Jesse, Fillan, The Scottish Antiquary and a history of Clan MacNab cites Francis Buchanan of Arnprior as being the Chief of Clan Buchanan. Francis Buchanan of Arnprior was the grandson of the John Buchanan of Arnprior who was the manager of the estate of John Buchanan of Buchanan. Prior to the Chief's second marriage, he had arranged for Elizabeth, the only child of his first marriage, to wed Robert Buchanan, son of John Buchanan of Arnprior, and in due course inherit the Buchanan estate and chiefship – a bond of Tailzie. This marriage did not take place and the arrangement was cancelled. Francis Buchanan of Arnprior married Elizabeth Buchanan, who was the daughter of Janet Buchanan, who was the second daughter of John Buchanan of Buchanan, i.e. Elizabeth was the granddaughter of John Buchanan of Buchanan. The Clan historian, William Buchanan of Auchmar, a contemporary of Francis Buchanan of Arnprior, notes that Francis Buchanan owned part of the old Buchanan lands but makes no reference to the supposed chiefship and, if anything, alludes to treachery to John Buchanan of Buchanan by John Buchanan of Arnprior. William Buchanan of Auchmar also makes no mention of Francis Buchanan having married the last chief's granddaughter. It is possible that Scott, a historical novelist, simply embellished the facts for literary purposes. Nevertheless, assuming that Scott, et al. are right and the chiefship had passed to Francis Buchanan, then Buchanan of Auchmar may have misrepresented the Buchanans of Arnprior to bolster his own claim to the chiefship.

Buchanan of Auchmar claim

in A System of Heraldry Vol 1, 1722, states that 'Buchannan of Lenie' is now the representor of 'Buchannan of that Ilk.' William Buchanan of Auchmar in his history of the clan, published in 1723, details a case that all cadet lines, except one, from George 15th of Buchanan to John Buchanan 19th of Buchanan had expired and on the death of the latter, the chiefship devolved to the cadet line most recently separated from the chiefly line, Buchanan of Auchmar, thus he, William Buchanan of Auchmar, is the chief of Clan Buchanan and that Nisbet is wrong in asserting that Buchanan of Leny is representer of the chiefly line. In Nisbet's A System of Heraldry Vol 2, 1742, he recognises Buchanan of Auchmar as the successor of the chiefly line. In the 1826 claim for the chiefship by Dr Francis Buchanan-Hamilton, the extinction of both the main chiefly line and the Auchmar line are identified as preconditions to the claim. The later Clan historian, John Guthrie Smith, omits any reference to Buchanan of Auchmar's claim when he details the Buchanans of Auchmar.
William Buchanan. William Buchanan of Auchmar married in 1696 Jean Buchanan and by her three son and three daughters who survived infancy. William died in 1747.
Alexander Buchanan. Alexander Buchanan of Auchmar married Christine Campbell and by her two sons.
William Buchanan. William Buchanan of Auchmar sold his estate, reserving a right for redemption, he married in 1796 Sarah Bartlet. He died at sea off America the following year.
James Buchanan. James Buchanan sold the right of redemption for the estate of Auchmar. He died without an heir in 1816. This line is now recognised as extinguished.

Buchanan-Hamilton claim

With the expiration of the Auchmar cadet line and in the absence of other contenders, it is claimed that in 1828 that Dr. Francis Buchanan-Hamilton of Spittal, Bardowie, and Leny established his claim as Chief of Clan Buchanan. Francis was the son of Thomas Buchanan of Spittal and Leny, and Elizabeth Hamilton of Bardowie. In 1815 Francis inherited his mother's estate and adopted the additional surname of Hamilton. His claim to Clan Buchanan chiefship comes through the Buchanan of Spittal cadet line from the fourth son of Walter 14th of Buchanan. Similar to the Buchanan of Auchmar claim, this implies that any cadet lines from Walter 14th of Buchanan through to John 19th of Buchanan are extinguished. Adams cites the successor to Buchanan of Auchmar as being Buchanan of Leny; however, the term Leny here should be read as a territorial designation and not an indication of the cadet line.
Dr. Francis Buchanan-Hamilton. Dr. Francis Buchanan-Hamilton married Anne Brock and by her a son.
John Buchanan-Hamilton. John Buchanan-Hamilton married Margaret Seton and had three sons who died unmarried and without heir, George and three daughter.
John Hamilton Buchanan. John Hamilton Buchanan married in 1884 Phoebe Elizabeth Brock but appears to have left no heir. This line is now recognised as extinguished. It is noteworthy that John was named John Hamilton Buchanan, thus the Hamilton name adopted by his grandfather became John's middle name. This brought his name in line with the subsequent Lord Lyon ruling on compound names.

External evidence of historic claims

Edinburgh and London Gazettes. An on-line search of the historic Edinburgh Gazette and London Gazette for notices pertaining to ‘laird of buchanan’, ‘buchanan of that ilk’ or ‘buchanan of buchanan’ and the alternate spelling of ‘Buchanan’ reveal no supporting evidence for either the Buchanan of Auchmar or Buchanan-Hamilton claims.
The Buchanan Society. The Buchanan Society maintains and publishes a list of all past and current members by year of joining and membership number, and if provided, the relationship between its members, i.e. daughter of, great-grandson of, etc. The Buchanan Society Handbook 2004 lists
  1. Francis Buchanan of Arnprior as joining. Estate is cited but no special status in the Clan.
  2. William Buchanan of Auchmar as joining twice, and his grandson William Buchanan of Auchmar joining once. Both cited their estate but neither cited any special status in the Clan.
  3. Francis Hamilton-Buchanan of Spittal, Bardowie and Leny ; his son, John Buchanan-Hamilton of Spittal, Leny and Bardowie ; and his grandson, John Hamilton Buchanan Chartered Accountant are likewise members of the Buchanan Society. Again estate and or occupation is listed but nothing to indicate any special status in the Clan.
Public Register of the Lyon Court. The last record in the Public Register of the Lyon Court for undifferenced Arms of Buchanan was recorded in 1675. Arms are meant to be rematriculated within a year and a day of succession; however, it is common practice that Arms be borne on apparency, that is without matriculating the Arms, for two or three generations, beyond this it may be difficult or impossible to demonstrate heirship. So while there may have been discussions and determinations within the Clan hierarchy regarding the Clan Chief, the claims of neither Buchanan of Auchmar nor Buchanan-Hamilton appear to have been ratified in a legal sense.
Despite a lack of evidence in the form of legal notices or recognition by the Lyon Court of either the Buchanan of Auchmar and Buchanan-Hamilton claims, both are known and accepted by contemporary or near contemporary authorities and authors. Noting that part of the Buchanan-Hamilton claim is that the cadet branch of Buchanan of Auchmar is extinct, Buchanan-Hamilton's wider cadet branch of Buchanan of Spittal would be a plausible starting point for search a hereditary claim on the chiefship of Clan Buchanan. However, in the event that a future hereditary claim is made, it is unlikely that the claim can build off either of the two earlier claims ; consequently, it will be necessary to detail the claim back to 1675 and probably much earlier.

The 21st-century clan chief

Unlike the pre-18th-century chiefs, a 21st-century chief is not going to lead their clan in war or demand rents and levies. The experience of other clans is that their 21st-century chief:
  1. adds to the clan's sense of completeness;
  2. adds to the perceived prestige of the clan;
  3. performs and adds dignity to ceremonial duties;
  4. enables the clan to speak with one voice;
  5. helps to focus clan effort on matters of clan wide interest;
  6. represents clan interests in multi-clan forums;
  7. promotes the right use of chiefly arms and associated heraldry;
  8. promotes a general awareness and increased use of heraldry by the clanfolk;
  9. interacts with the clan society in a similar way to how a constitutional monarchy interacts with the elected governments of his or her subjects;
  10. appoints lieutenants to represent them when they cannot be present; and
  11. uses modern communications to achieve effective communication between him or herself, the lieutenants and the clanfolk.

    Name spelling variations

Early written renderings of the name include Balgquhannen, Balquhannan, Baquhanan, Bochannane, Bochannen, Bohannon, Boquehennan, Boquhannane, Boquhennane, Bowhanan, Bowhannan, Bucchanane, Buchanane, Buchanen, Buchannan, Buchannand, Buchannane, Buchanne, Buchannen, Buchannent, Buchquhannane, Buchquannan, Buchunnuch, Bucquanane, Buquhannan, Buquhannane, Buquhannanne, and Buquannane. More recent spellings include Buckanon, Buchannon, Bocanan, Buchanan etc.

Castles

The current seat of Clan Buchanan is Cambusmore. The historic seat of the Clan is Buchanan Auld House in Stirlingshire. Buchanan Castle was built in the 19th century as a replacement for Buchanan Auld House, after the surrounding lands had passed to the Grahams in the late 17th century. Other castles and monuments of the Clan Buchanan have included: Craigend Castle and Dunglass Castle ; Northbar House ; and the Buchanan Monument at Killearn.

Branches

The cadet branches is order of separation from the chiefly line: Auchneven, Leny, Arnprior, Spital, and Auchmar.

Septs

The Septs of Clan Buchanan derive from the first Auselan to use the surname Buchanan, Gilbert, whose father had obtained the Buchanan lands, and his brothers Colman and Methlan, grandson Maurice, and great-grandson Walter.
Calman, Colman*, Cormack*, Cousland*, Dewar*, Dove*, Dow*, Gibb*, Gibbon*, Gibson*, Gilbert, Gilbertson*, Harper*, Harperson*, Leavy*, Lennie*, Lenny*, MacAldonich*, MacAlman*, MacAslan*, MacAslin*, MacAuselan*, MacAuslan*, MacAusland*, MacAuslane*, MacAlman*, MacAlmont*, MacAmmond*, MacAsland*, MacChruiter*, MacCalman, MacColman*, MacCormack*, MacCubbin*, MacCubbing*, MacCubin*, MacGeorge*, MacGibbon*, MacGreuisich*, MacGubbin*, MacInally*, MacIndeor*, MacIndoe*, MacKinlay*, MacKinley*, MacMaster*, MacMaurice*, MacMurchie*, MacMurchy*, MacNeur*, MacNuir*, MacNuyer*, MacQuattie*, MacWattie**, MacWherter, MacWhirter*, Masters*, Masterson*, MacCaslin*, Morrice*, Morris*, Morrison*, Murchie*, Murchison*, Richardson*, Risk*, Rush**, Rusk*, Ruskin*, Spittal*, Spittel*, Walter*, Walters*, Wason*, Waters*, Watson*, Watt*, Watters*, Weir*, Yuill*, Yool*, Yule*, Zuill*.
There are three contemporary organisations which represent the Clan Buchanan.

The Buchanan Society

The Buchanan Society is a purely charitable organisation established in 1725 in Glasgow, Scotland, for the needy of the Clan. The foundation of the Society featured the great trading houses of the Clan but from all corners of the globe contemporary clan folk and friends of the Clan of all professions and occupations support this charity. The Society is funded by an entry fee paid by each member of the Society, gifts and interest from investments. Its original charter specified charity to those of the name Buchanan and recognised septs by assisting boys to trades and those of promising genius at their studies to university. Except that girls are now eligible for assistance, the goals have remained largely unchanged. The Society has been given many Clan heirlooms. The books, records and other collections of the Society are held at the Mitchell Library, Glasgow, and Strathclyde University Library. The Society also owns the Buchanan Monument in Killearn, and the Loch Lomond island of Clairinch.

Clan Buchanan Society International

The Clan Buchanan Society International is a mutual interest society established in 1970 at the Grandfather Mountain Games in North Carolina to promote the celebration of being a Buchanan. Membership is by annual subscription and is greatest in the US, but as the organisation matures, new chapters are being established around the world, especially in the Oceania region.
The CBSI Black Lion Banner. CBSI uses the coat of arms granted by the Lyon Court in 2002 on its official correspondence; however, it uses a self-assumed coat of arms which predate the granted arms on its flag, which is called the Black Lion Banner. The Black Lion Banner has a field of gold/yellow charged with a black lion rampant with red claws and tongue shedding five silver tears all within a black double tressure flory-counter-flory. The lion rampant on the field of gold within the double tressure flory-counter-flory alludes to the arms of the Clan chief and is the charge and tressure of most Buchanan arms. The silver tears refer to the sadness of the Clan at not having a chief. A variation of the Black Lion Banner is used on some CBSI apparel.

Chief’s Council of Armigers

The Chief's Council of Armigers is an organisation comprising Clan armigers whose aim is to optimise the strategic leadership of the Clan in order to promote Clan interests globally with due regard for tradition, Scottish law, and contemporary needs and opportunities. The Council subscribes to the view that the principal interest of the Clan is not power, influence, glory, history, heraldry nor even honour, per se; rather, it is the encouragement of the clan folk to learn, enjoy and celebrate their unique Buchanan, Highland, Scottish heritage. It is against this interest that the Council's efforts are evaluated.

New Chief

The Lord Lyon King of Arms has now recognised a new chief of the Clan Buchanan.