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Clan MacAulay

Dulce periculum ("Danger is sweet")

MacAmhlaibh (also MacAmhlaidh; clan collectively Clann Amhlaoibh)

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Clan Story

The MacAulay Legacy

Clan MacAulay was centered on the lands of Ardincaple, near modern Helensburgh in Argyll and Bute, an area straddling the traditional line between Highlands and Lowlands. By the 15th or 16th century, the lairds of Ardincaple were recognized as clan chiefs, and the family has traditionally been grouped with Clan Gregor and other kindreds said to descend from the early Scottish king Kenneth MacAlpin. Chief Sir Aulay MacAulay entered a bond of mutual aid with the MacGregor chief in the early 17th century and feuded at various points with the Buchanans, Galbraiths, and Campbells. Financial troubles in the 18th century forced successive lairds to sell off the Ardincaple estate piece by piece, and the last recognized chief died landless around 1767, leaving Clan MacAulay without a chief recognized by the Lord Lyon. The clan name has since been kept alive through a revived clan association.

The clan's historic seat is associated with Ardincaple (Ardencaple Castle).

Clan Facts

LandsArdincaple, near Helensburgh, Argyll and Bute (Dunbartonshire)
Clan ChiefThe last chief, Aulay MacAulay of Ardincaple, died around 1767 without land or heirs. A 20th-century revival movement sought to unite the largely unrelated MacAulay lines under one chief, but none has since been recognised by the Lord Lyon.

Tartan Identity

Clan MacAulay’s Tartans

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MacAulay

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MacAulay of Lewis

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