The Clan Maclean Heritage Trust was established in 1996 to identify, memorialize, and educate the public about the heritage and impact Macleans have had both in Scotland and around the world. The Trust also encourages the publication of Clan and Family related annals. The Heritage Trust’s interests lie not only in the preservation of clan antiquity and history, but also in education about the Clan, its history, its lands, and its people.
Presently, the Chief chairs the Heritage Trust with Trustees drawn from the Clan Maclean world-wide. The Heritage Trust benefits enormously from the generosity of clan members through the Friends of the Clan Maclean Heritage Trust and visitor donations.
Prior to the Heritage Trust, the Clan Maclean Association International had led this effort. In 1986 it had replaced the armorial stone above then entrance to Duart Castle, and by 1992 it had restored the ancient Maclean burial site at Lochaline. In 1996 it erected a cairn at Drimnin pier to commemorate Charles Maclean of Drimnin who died leading his men at the Battle of Colloden.
Since its establishment, the Heritage Trust has commemorated with cairns and historical markers Macleans in Australia, Canada, Scotland and the United States. It has funded the restoration of important buildings and the preservation of historical documents associated with the Clan. The Heritage Trust is benefactor to a Piping Bursary for young Macleans at the College of Piping in Glasgow. The Clan Maclean Association International has also transferred ownership of the Maclean Library to the Heritage Trust; the Maclean Library is housed at the Isle of Mull Museum at Tobermory.