History of Clan MacCallum
The Sacred and Ancient History of Clan MacCallum
The name MacCallum derives from the Gaelic MacChaluim, meaning "Son of Columba." This does not necessarily imply a blood relation to Saint Columba (Colm), the great missionary of the 6th century, but rather designates the clan as ancient "followers" or "devotees" of the Saint. Their origins lie in the ancient Kingdom of Dalriada in Argyll, the cradle of the Scottish nation.
Legends and Lands While the clan is ancient, the first written charter for land appears in 1414, when Sir Duncan Campbell of Lochow granted estates in Craignish and on the banks of Loch Avich to Reginald MacCallum of Corbarron.
Local tradition tells a romantic story of how the clan spread. The patriarch of the family at Colgin sent his three sons out into the world with horses, telling them to settle wherever their horses' panniers (saddlebags) fell off.
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The first son's panniers fell before he left the farm, so he stayed at Colgin.
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The second son’s panniers fell at Glen Etive.
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The third son’s panniers fell at Kilmartin, establishing the family there.
The Hero of Ederline (1647) The MacCallums were known for their immense physical strength and loyalty. The most famous hero was Zachary MacCallum of Poltalloch. In 1647, during the Civil Wars, he fought for the Covenanters (led by the Marquess of Argyll) against the Royalist forces of Alasdair Mac Colla and the MacDonalds.
At the Battle of Ederline, Zachary was cornered by the enemy. Legend says he cut down seven attackers. He turned to face the Royalist leader, Sir Alexander MacDonald—who would have been his eighth kill—but was struck down from behind by a scythe wielded by a lesser soldier. His bravery is legendary in Argyll folklore.
The Change to Malcolm The histories of Clan MacCallum and Clan Malcolm are inextricably linked. For centuries, the names were used interchangeably. However, in 1779, Dugald MacCallum of Poltalloch officially changed the family name to Malcolm. From that point on, the Chiefship has been associated with the name Malcolm, though many clansmen proudly retained the ancient MacCallum name. Today, they are united under the same Chief, representing a heritage that stretches back to the very dawn of Christianity in Scotland.