History of Clan MacAulay
The Dual Origins of Clan MacAulay
Clan MacAulay is unique in Scottish history because the name derives from two completely unconnected areas and bloodlines. One branch, the MacAulays of Ardincaple, hailed from Dunbartonshire on the mainland, while the other, the MacAulays of Lewis, were a fierce warrior clan from the Outer Hebrides.
The MacAulays of Ardincaple The mainland MacAulays are believed to descend from Amhlaidh, son of the Earl of Lennox, appearing in the Ragman Roll of 1296. However, many historians classify them as part of the Siol Alpin—the seven clans descending from Kenneth MacAlpin. This theory links them closely to Clan MacGregor. In 1591, a bond of manrent was signed between the two clans. When the MacGregors were famously outlawed, the MacAulays were only spared the same fate thanks to the protection of their powerful Lennox kinsmen.
The MacAulays of Lewis Far to the west, the MacAulays of Lewis share a different heritage. Their name means "Son of Olaf," reflecting the strong Viking influence in the Hebrides. The most legendary figure of this branch was Donald Camm (Donald One-Eye), recorded in 1610. Famous for his immense physical strength and rebellious nature, Donald was a formidable warrior. His son continued this martial tradition, dying in battle for King Charles I at Auldearn in 1645.
Decline and Legacy By the 18th century, the fortunes of the mainland branch began to fade. Debt forced the sale of the ancestral Ardincaple Castle and its estates to the Campbells of Argyll in 1767. Despite the loss of their lands, the MacAulay name survives proudly today, uniting descendants of both the noble Lennox family and the Viking warriors of Lewis.