MacFarlane Cattle Company Soft Enamel Pin

Description

This MacFarlane Cattle Co special edition pin celebrates the rogue history of the Clan MacFarlane.  Pick up this MacFarlane pin before they are all gone!

When the moon is full and the sky is bright beware it is MacFarlane’s Night!

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

In 1592, the Colquhouns accused the MacFarlanes of slaying the Colquhoun of Luss. The crown subsequently outlawed the clan.  It no sooner got out from under that ban, than it were named in legislation in 1594, as being required to provide surety for good behaviour.

Feuds, cattle raids, murder, fire-raising (arson), and even sorning (taking food and drink without payment) were commonplace accusations against the MacFarlanes and their allies during this period.

We celebrate our rogue cattle raiding history with this cheeky mock logo design for the imagined MacFarlane Cattle Company.  Embossed with the tagline, “The Very Best Of Colquhoun’s Herd – Est. 1568”.

(1568 refers to the Battle of Langside. Clan MacFarlane fought for King James VI against his mother Mary Queen of Scots. The MacFarlanes captured three of her standards. For their valour, the Regent, James, Earl of Moray rewarded Clan MacFarlane with the Clan’s original crest and motto. “This I’ll Defend”.

Pin design by Diana MacFarlane
© copyright Red Rubber Media