Clan Murray is a Highland Scottish clan. The Murrays trace their heritage back to the twelfth century and take their name from the great province of Moray, once a local kingdom. It was during this time that the Flemish lords crossed the North Sea and established themselves in the Scottish realm. Among them was Freskin, son of Ollec. Either Freskin or his son William intermarried with the ancient royal house of Moray. The senior line of the Murrays took the surname of Sutherland and became Earls of Sutherland by 1235.

History

Wars of Scottish Independence

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 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.

Clan Wars

• 1403/06 - The Battle of Tuiteam-Tarbhach 1406. This battle was fought as Tuiteam-tarbhach in the sout west part of Sutherland where it meets Ross-shire. Angus MacKay of Strathnaver married the sister of MacLeod of Lewis by whom he had two sons; Angus Dow MacKay and Rory Gald MacKay. When angus died he left the governing of his estate to his brother Uistean Dow Mackay. MacLeod of Lewis decided to visit his siter where he found that she was not well. As he is not happy about this, on his way home he decides to spoil Strathnaver & Brae-Chat in Sutherland. Robert Earl of Sutherland sends Alexander Murray and Uistean Dow MacKay to attack the MacLeods. the fight was long and furious. In the end the booty was recoverd and nearly all the MacLeod's were killed including the chief MacLeod of Lewis.

• The Battle of Skibdo and Strathfleet around 1480; MacDonald of the Isles, accompanied by about five or six hundred of his clan came into Sutherland and encamped hard by the Castle of Skibo, whereupon Neil Murray (son or grandson to Angus Murray, slain at Druimnacoub) was sent by John, Earl of Sutherland, to resist them, in case they did harm the inhabitants. Neil Murray believing that the MacDonalds would go about spoiling the country attacked the MacDonalds by Skibo, and killed one of their chieftains, called Donald Dow MacDonald along with fifty others. Macdonald, with the rest of his company, escaped back into their own country. Shortly thereafter another company of Macdonald's came to Strathfleet in Sutherland, and spoiled that part of the country, in revenge for the death of their chieften. However Robert Sutherland (John, Earl of Sutherland's brother), assembled an army and attacked them upon the sands of Strathfleet. After a sharp and cruel skirmish, Macdonald's men were defeated.

• Battle of Knockmary 1490; This battle was between the two long feuding clans of Murray and Clan Drummond. the Murrays were first successful, however the Drummonds were later reinforced and drove the Murrays off the battlefield. Many of the Murrays took refuge in a small church near Crief. Legend has it that at first the Drummond pursuers could not find them but an all to eager Murray clansmen, seeing his chance fired an arrow and killed a Drumond. The Drummonds then heaped combustibles around the church and burnt it to the ground with all those inside. Eight score Murrays were included in the holocaust, only one of those within the kirk escaping by the compassion of a Drummond clansman outside, who was his relation.

• 1542 - Clan MacKay Chief Donald Mackay of Strathnaver decided to invade and molest the lands of Clan Sutherland. He burned the village of Knockartoll and stole many goods from Strathbrora. The Clan Sutherland and Clan Murray led by Hutcheon Murray of Abirscors with Gilbert Gordon of Garty decided to attack the MacKays. They attacked the MacKays at a place called Ailtan-Beath. After the battle the MacKays fled and much of the stolen booty was recovered. Donald MacKay was captured and imprisoned in Foulis Castle, Ross-shire by commandment of the Queen Regent.

• The Battle of Tippermuir 1644, During the Civil War at the Battle of Tippermuir James Murray who held command in the Scottish Convanters Army was defeated by James Graham the 1st Marquess of Montrose.

The French War & The Jacobite Uprisings

• Clan Murray fought for the British at the Battle of Malplaquet in 1709 against the French in France.

• Clan Murray fought at the Battle of Glen Shiel 1719, this time against the British and in support of the Scottish Jacobite rebels. The Chief William escaped to France only to return with Prince Charles Edward Stuart for the Jacobite rebellion in 1745.

• Lord George Murray, was the Jacobite general responsible for the Jacobite's initial successes during the early part of the 1745-1746 rebellion. Chief William Murray even landed with Jacobite leader Prince Charles Edward Stuart in 1745 at Borodale 25th July. He was the main commander at the Battles of Prestonpans, Falkirk (1746) and the Battle of Culloden. After the Battle of Culloden in 1746 the Chief tried to escape however as he was suffering from bad health and fatigue he surrendered on the 27th April 1746 to Mr Buchannan of Drummakilll. He was then taken to the Tower of London where he died on July 9th 1746.

Clan Seat

The Murray's clan seat was at Bothwell Castle until it was lost to the powerful Clan Douglas. It wasn't until the 1600's that the Murrays got the castle back again.

Bothwell Castle

Clan Profile

• Motto: Tout Prest. Latin for Quite Ready.

Tartan

Murray of Atholl Tartan

Murray of Tullibardine Tartan