FÀILTE DON CHLANN MHIC PHÀRLAIN

WELCOME TO THE CLAN MACFARLANE

photo of Clan MacFarlane at Buchanan Castle

Photo courtesy Jonathan Palmer

Those of us who have been drawn by the powerful ties of blood into the special, colourful and turbulent history of Scotland have come to believe that visibly enjoying our heritage is a wonderful addition to our lives. The International Clan MacFarlane Society gathering tents are hosted at festivals and Highland games all over the world. This is just one of the many ways we express our “special identity” to visitors & guests – especially to the “Parlanaich” (Gaelic – MacFarlane race). We accept MacFarlanes of every race, creed, orientation, gender, identity and spelling as well as those persons bearing any of the more than sixty surnames associated with our Clan.

Discover Your Roots

When you join the International Clan MacFarlane Society, you will receive a wealth of information and resources that will aid you in your journey to discovering your unique heritage. You will gain access to the members area of this site, be subscribed to our bi-monthly newsletter MacFarlanes’ Lantern and receive a beautiful digital membership certificate to print out at your leisure.

The members’ area of MacFarlane.org is full of information, Clan archives, exclusive content delivered just for YOU!

JOIN THE CLAN NOW!

Joining Our Very Special Family

Much more than that however, you will become part of an international, secular organization with members from many different countries. We feel sure you’ll begin to feel a personal bond grow between you and the many others who have linked their modern day lives with that of yourself and your shared ancestry. This will give you a new perspective on your family and Clan history. It will also keep you informed about what others of the “Parlanaich” are doing around the world.

Connecting You To Your Heritage

We hope you already know your family’s history. Did they leave Scotland or did they remain? Why did they leave? If you don’t know the answers to these questions, then perhaps we can help you discover the truth about your heritage. If you are taking the time to read this, chances are you are of the “Parlanaich.” Be proud of your blood! Remember the men from whom you are descended or in the Gaelic language of your forefathers: “Cuimhnich air na daoine o’n d’thaining thu” Your Ancestors won’t let you down.

Le gach deagh dhurachd,

Michael R. MacFarlane FSAScot

President, International Clan MacFarlane Society, Inc.

Chairman, Clan MacFarlane Charitable Trust | Scotland Scottish Charity #SC032498

Those of us who have been drawn by the powerful ties of blood into the special, colourful and turbulent history of Scotland have come to believe that visibly enjoying our heritage is a wonderful addition to our lives. The International Clan MacFarlane Society gathering tents are hosted at festivals and Highland games all over the world. This is just one of the many ways we express our “special identity” to visitors & guests – especially to the “Parlanaich” (Gaelic – MacFarlane race). We accept MacFarlanes of every race, creed, orientation, gender, identity and spelling as well as those persons bearing any of the more than sixty surnames associated with our Clan.

Discover Your Roots

When you join the International Clan MacFarlane Society, you will receive a wealth of information and resources that will aid you in your journey to discovering your unique heritage. You will gain access to the members area of this site, be subscribed to our bi-monthly newsletter MacFarlanes Lantern and receive a beautiful digital membership certificate to print out at your leisure.

The members’ area of MacFarlane.org is full of information, Clan archives, exclusive content delivered just for YOU!

JOIN THE CLAN NOW!

Joining Our Very Special Family

Much more than that however, you will become part of an international, secular organization with members from many different countries. We feel sure you’ll begin to feel a personal bond grow between you and the many others who have linked their modern day lives with that of yourself and your shared ancestry. This will give you a new perspective on your family and Clan history. It will also keep you informed about what others of the “Parlanaich” are doing around the world.

Connecting You To Your Heritage

We hope you already know your family’s history. Did they leave Scotland or did they remain? Why did they leave? If you don’t know the answers to these questions, then perhaps we can help you discover the truth about your heritage. If you are taking the time to read this, chances are you are of the “Parlanaich.” Be proud of your blood! Remember the men from whom you are descended or in the Gaelic language of your forefathers: “Cuimhnich air na daoine o’n d’thaining thu” Your Ancestors won’t let you down.

Le gach deagh dhurachd,

Michael R. MacFarlane FSAScot

President, International Clan MacFarlane Society, Inc.

Chairman, Clan MacFarlane Charitable Trust | Scotland Scottish Charity #SC032498

CELEBRATING OUR SCOTTISH HERITAGE

Past

The MacFarlane ancestral homeland is located in the Highlands of Scotland between Loch Long and Loch Lomond, having the same boundaries as the Parish of Arrochar. For over five centuries this area was held by the Chiefs of Clan MacFarlane and before them by their ancestors, the Celtic Earls of Lennox.

For much of their history, the MacFarlanes were a very turbulent lot. Their rallying cry, “Loch Sloy”, signalled many a night raid to “collect” cattle from their richer neighbors to the south and east. Their march-piobaireachd “Thogail nam Bo theid sinn“(To Lift the Cows We Shall Go) gives ample notice of intent. They were so competent that the full moon was known as “MacFarlane’s Lantern”.

Present

In 1911 the original Clan MacFarlane Society, An Comunn Chloinn Phàrlane, was established in Glasgow and London. The Secretary of this society was the historian James Macfarlane, Author of History of the Clan Macfarlane, The Honour of Lennox, The Red Fox, and the recently released Ean Dudh. Due to the events of World War I, and the following economic depression An Comunn Chloinn Phàrlane faded out of existence by 1922.

In 1973 The International Clan MacFarlane Society was established at Grandfather Mountain, North Carolina, USA and became heir to the original records of An Comunn Chloinn Phàrlane.

Today, the International Clan MacFarlane Society has grown into a global organisation with members from many different countries.

Future

The International Clan MacFarlane Society, is an educational, secular, society formed to promote the perpetuation of Scottish Gaelic culture, traditions, customs, literature, and the preservation of artifacts and archaeological sites. It is incorporated and functions as a non-profit charitable trust in Scotland (Scotland Scottish Charity #SC032498) and a 501(c)(3) in the United States.

We continuously strive to perpetuate our Scottish history and culture, to encourage our children to be proud of their heritage and participate in cultural events, to preserve our Clan MacFarlane artifacts and archaeological sites and to educate current and future members about their Clan MacFarlane roots.

Latest Updates For Members

May 11, 2023InClan MacFarlane Library, Members, Members' News & Updates, Periodicals, The Scottish Banner

The Scottish Banner
May 2023

In this issue…

SCOTLAND’S OLDEST TARTAN DISCOVERED
New scientific research has revealed a piece of tartan found in a peat bog in Glen Affric around forty years ago can be dated to circa 1500-1600 AD, making it the oldest known surviving specimen of true tartan in Scotland. The Scottish Tartans Authority commissioned…

SCOTLAND’S ZEN GARDEN
The place of pleasure and delight. Everything about the Japanese Garden at Cowden is designed to slow visitors down, to calm the mind and encourage contemplation, even down to the uneven stones underfoot at the entrance arch, which is carved with the words “the place of pleasure and delight”. These days, the garden, near the town of Dollar, quietly hums…

TWELVE YEARS AND OVER 400 CASTLES LATER
My favorite Scottish Castles. Twelve years after my arrival in Scotland from Canada, I have more than made up for the lack of true castles in the country of my birth. To date, my Scottish castle count stands at 443, almost all of which I have reached by foot, bicycle, and public transport. To answer the two very reasonable questions…

photo of the April 2023 cover of The Scottish Banner

April 14, 2023InClan MacFarlane Library, Members, Members' News & Updates, Periodicals, The Scottish Banner

The Scottish Banner
April 2023

Photo of the cover of March 2023 issue of The Scottish Banner

April 8, 2023InClan MacFarlane Library, Members, Periodicals, The Scottish Banner

The Scottish Banner
March 2023

March 6, 2023InMembers, Periodicals, The Scottish Banner

The Scottish Banner
February 2023

February 23, 2023InArticles & Features, History & Heritage, Members

History & Heritage of The Gaelic Language

Painting of Robert Burns, Clan MacFarlane

January 24, 2023InArticles & Features, History & Heritage, Members

Robert Burns And The MacFarlane Homelands

January 5, 2023InClan MacFarlane Library, Members, Periodicals, The Scottish Banner

The Scottish Banner
January 2023

Clan MacFarlane Society members get access to these latest news & features,…. plus so much more!

JOIN NOW!

LOCH SLOY!

Our haunted souls remind us
of battle cries long gone.
From Highlands skirled with melodies
of Scotland’s bravest song.

“Loch Sloy! Loch Sloy!” they cried it
or whispered as they bled.
And if they could not rise again,
it blessed the noble dead.

We proclaimed it as a triumph;
we moaned it when we fell;
we thought it meant, “You won it!”
and “Get up again!” as well.

We searched to find its meaning
at Clan MacFarlane’s home.
“Loch Sloy” means “Springtime’s comin’,”
no matter where ye roam.

Whenever trouble hits ye,
let it roll past til it’s fled.
Then rise and knock ye’r dust off.
“Springtime’s comin’!” Just ahead!

We smiled, we strange new moderns,
to realize it’s true.
“Loch Sloy” means “Springtime’s comin’-
hope is just ahead!” We knew.

Dottie Walters

LOCH SLOY!

Our haunted souls remind us
of battle cries long gone.
From Highlands skirled with melodies
of Scotland’s bravest song.

“Loch Sloy! Loch Sloy!” they cried it
or whispered as they bled.
And if they could not rise again,
it blessed the noble dead.

We proclaimed it as a triumph;
we moaned it when we fell;
we thought it meant, “You won it!”
and “Get up again!” as well.

We searched to find its meaning
at Clan MacFarlane’s home.
“Loch Sloy” means “Springtime’s comin’,”
no matter where ye roam.

Whenever trouble hits ye,
let it roll past til it’s fled.
Then rise and knock ye’r dust off.
“Springtime’s comin’!” Just ahead!

We smiled, we strange new moderns,
to realize it’s true.
“Loch Sloy” means “Springtime’s comin’-
hope is just ahead!” We knew.

-Dottie Walters

Gatherings

Our Next Gathering starts in,…

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promo art for Scottish Fest USA - Clan MacFarlane - Costa Mesa, CA, USA

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FÀILTE DON CHLANN MHIC PHÀRLAIN

Discover Your Roots

Joining Our Very Special Family

Connecting You To Your Heritage

Michael R. MacFarlane FSAScot

President, International Clan MacFarlane Society, Inc.

Chairman, Clan MacFarlane Charitable Trust | Scotland Scottish Charity #SC032498

Discover Your Roots

Joining Our Very Special Family

Connecting You To Your Heritage

Michael R. MacFarlane FSAScot

President, International Clan MacFarlane Society, Inc.

Chairman, Clan MacFarlane Charitable Trust | Scotland Scottish Charity #SC032498

Meet New Clan MacFarlane Treasurer John Manchester

Meet New Clan MacFarlane Secretary Melisa Bermudez

Meet New Clan MacFarlane Vice President – Jack Knox

Clan MacFarlane 50th Annual World Gathering | Registration Now Open

Heraldic Shield of the International Clan MacFarlane Society

CELEBRATING OUR SCOTTISH HERITAGE

Past

Present

Future

Latest Updates For Members

Clan MacFarlane Society members get access to these latest news & features,…. plus so much more!

LOCH SLOY!

Dottie Walters

LOCH SLOY!

-Dottie Walters

Gatherings

Our Next Gathering starts in,…

Scottish Fest USA | Clan MacFarlane Hospitality Tent | Costa Mesa, California • USA

Milwaukee Highland Games | Clan MacFarlane Hospitality Tent | Franklin, Wisconsin • USA

Chicago Scottish Festival & Highland Games | Clan MacFarlane Hospitality Tent | Itasca, Illinois • USA

Utah Scottish Festival & Highland Games | Clan MacFarlane Hospitality Tent | Salt Lake, Utah • USA

Bremen Highland Games | Clan MacFarlane Hospitality Tent | Ganderkesee, Germany

Holland Waterfront Celtic Festival & Highland Games | Clan MacFarlane Hospitality Tent | Holland, Michigan • USA

San Diego Scottish Highland Games | Clan MacFarlane Hospitality Tent | Vista, California, USA

Grandfather Mountain Highland Games | Clan MacFarlane Hospitality Tent | Linville, North Carolina, USA

Clan MacFarlane 50th Annual World Gathering & General Meeting

NACHS Celtic Festival | Clan MacFarlane Hospitality Tent | Flagstaff, Arizona, USA

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Clan MacFarlane Forty Ninth AGM & World Gathering Limited Edition Commemorative Ladies’ T-shirt

Clan MacFarlane Forty Ninth AGM & World Gathering Special Edition Commemorative Men’s T-shirt

MacFarlane Cattle Company Soft Enamel Pin

Loch Sloy! Window Decal

Clan MacFarlane Forty Ninth AGM & World Gathering Limited Edition Commemorative Ladies’ T-shirt

Clan MacFarlane Forty Ninth AGM & World Gathering Special Edition Commemorative Men’s T-shirt

MacFarlane Cattle Company Soft Enamel Pin

Loch Sloy! Window Decal

Clan MacFarlane Shield Crest Badge Modern Tartan Window Decal

Clan MacFarlane Shield Crest Badge Modern Hunting Window Decal

Clan MacFarlane 92.5 Sterling Silver Clansman’s Crest Badge v3.0

Clan MacFarlane 92.5 Sterling Silver Clansman’s Crest Badge v1.0

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