THE THISTLE, MOTTOS, GATHERING CRY, PLANT BADGES & BIRDS |
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THE THISTLE AS A SCOTTISH EMBLEM |
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There is an old Scottish legend regarding an event that happened in the 13th century. King Haakon of Norway decided to invade Scotland and sent a formidable army to complete the task. The invaders landed near Largs but were thwarted in their sneak attack when one of the barefoot Norsemen stepped on a thistle. He cried out in pain, the Scots were alerted and the attack failed. The king later withdrew his army and the Hebrides were ceded to Scotland. |
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Scottish Thistle |
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MacNaughton |
MacMillan |
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MOTTO |
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The motto of the clan MacNachtan, "I Hope in God" is taken from an engraving over the door of Castle Dunderave on Loch Fyne in Argyllshire, Scotland. |
"I Learn to Succor the Distressed" |
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GATHERING CRY |
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"Frechelan" or "Fraoch-Eilean" is the war cry of the clan MacNachtan (from the Gaelic "Fraoch-Eilean", the Heatherly Isle, referring to the island in Loch Awe on which the castle stands that the MacNachtans held for the king in times past according to the office of the Court of Lord Lyon in Scotland. Our MacNaughton ancestors have been using "Fraoch-Eilean" as our gathering cry since their immigration to the New World. Both slogans are considered to be referring to the family castle once located on the heatherly isle. (Fraoch-Eilean is also used as the slogan for the Macdonald clan according to the Court of Lord Lyon.) |
"MacMhaolain Mhor" (Great MacMillan) Many thanks goes out to |
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PLANT BADGE |
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Trailing Azalea |
Holly Plant |
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BIRD |
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The Scottish Curlew |
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