MacFhionnlaidh
The Farquharsons are a branch of the Shaws of Rothiemurchus,
having been descended from Ferquhard Shaw, fourth son of that Shaw Corshiacalich who led
the Chattan men in the Great Clan Battle on the North Inch of Perth in 1396. For his
support of Robert Bruce the Shaw Chief had received certain lands in Brae Mar along the
isolated thickly wooded valley of the Dee River in Aberdeenshire, and his son Ferquhard
settled there in the reign of Robert the third, during the latter part of the fourteenth
century.
Ferquhard married a daughter of Patrick Donnacha, Chief of the Clan Donnacha (or
Robertsons) and his son also married a Robertson of the Calveen branch. Ferchar, the next
Chief, married a daughter of the Chisholm of Strathglas, by whom he had a large family of
children who settled in Brae Mar and the Braes of Angus, nearby.
The Farquharsons were a sept of the great Clan Chattan, and marched with them to battle.
From Ferquhard Shaw they took the name of Farquharson, and the Farquharsons of Invercauld
are of the Chief's family. Those of that name residing at Inverey and Monaltrie are also
descended from Ferquhard.
The great grandson of Ferquhard was Finnula Mor, or Great Findlay, and from him the Clan
took the appellation "Clan Fhiunnla" though they also retained the old patronym
of Mac'earchar, or Farquharson.
Findlay, who was a great warrior, bore the Royal Banner for the King at Pinkie, where he
was slain with many of his followers, 1547. His wife was Beatrice Gordon, and their son
John, was the next Chief. Findlay's brother David lived at Monaltrie, and his three sons
founded the families of Allanacoich, Inverey, and Finzean. The Findlays, Findlysons, and
MacKinlays are also derived from the Clan Farquharson.
Two of the Chiefs of Clan Farquharson married into the family of the old and powerful
Earls of Athol, and their lands were extensive. In 1639 Farquharson of Monaltrie was
opposed with his followers to the Covenanters, and marched with the Royalists under Lord
Gordon.
The Farquharson Clan joined the great Montrose in the campaign of 1645, and fought
gallantly at Worcester. They also served later with Viscount Dundee, and were first to
respond to the summons of the Earl of Mar in the uprising of 1715. With his allies, the
Shaws, Mackintoshes and MacPhersons, the Chief called out his full force of five hundred
Clansmen in support of Prince Charlie, and fought gallantly at Falkirk and Culloden.
Farquharson of Balmoral was accorded no mercy because of his zeal for the Stuarts, but the
Chief was later pardoned and his estates restored.
In the Battle of Culloden was an old Warrior known as Fearchar "Gaisgach liath"
or the Grey Warrior, who had served with Montrose and the Earl of Mar in the previous
campaigns, and been distinguished for his heroism. But at Culloden Fearchar's only living
son was among those who were slain after the Battle by order of the vicious British
General Curnberland.
The aged Farquharson lived to be well past a hundred years of age and in after years he
roamed forlornely through the Highlands, visiting the graves of his fallen sons and
comrades, and mourning constantly for the lost cause which had exacted such bitter toll of
his people.
The property being entailed, the estates in Brae Mar continued to remain in the family of
the Chief, and for a long time the old Castle of Braemar was leased to the Government as a
military station. It was once a hunting seat of the Scottish Kings, and was constructed in
very early times. The Earl of Mar once used it as a fortalice, but the Farquharsons owned
the lands in later years. Other strongholds of the Farquharsons was the castle known as
Ballater House, and Invercauld House, the chief's mansion, standing a little north of the
configuration called the Lion's Face, in the sheltered vale of the Dee surrounded by
lovely wooded hills.