Lachlan Og Maclean

8^th Chief, 4^th Laird of Duart

Born in 1432,¹ Lachlan Og was the youngest son of Lachlan Bronnach.² He succeeded his father as the eighth Chief of the Clan Maclean and fourth Laird of Duart shortly after 1472.² Thought little is written of him, it is clear that Lachlan Og was a man “possessed of rare judgement.”¹

Lachlan’s mother, being the second wife of Lachlan Bronnach, insisted their marriage contract stipulate that her offspring would become the successor of House of the Duart. He was called “Young Lachlan” to distinguish him from his father.¹ Lachlan married Catherine, the daughter of Colin Campbell, first Earl of Argyll.¹

Lachlan lived on the eve of the greatest political shift in the history of the Hebrides since the Dálriadic invasion—the subjugation of the Western Isles. No other event would effect a greater change in the culture, moral, or economy of the Inner Hebrides; and during his lifetime, Lachlan was able to keep his clansmen out of the coming turmoil.

As Household Chamberlain to the Lords of the Isles,² Lachlan was in a powerful position, along with his heredity position as Lieutenant-General of the Isles in War, Lachlan would have had great sway with Lordship. Lachlan’s lifetime saw the height of the Lordship’s power—practically operating as an independent kingdom, and definitely seeing itself as one.¹ John MacDonald II, Lord of the Isles entered a treaty with Archibald Douglas and Edward IV of England to conquer Scotland;¹ James IV of Scotland would annex the Lordship to the Scottish Crown.¹ when he discovered MacDonald’s treason.¹

The seneachies said little of Lachlan, save that “he was a good and pious man.”³ Some have said that their silence may be the clearest evidence of his wisdom and judgement. Lachlan died shortly after 1478¹ and was succeeded by his son, Eachuinn Odhar¹