Clan Farquharson — The Lion of Braemar and the Pride of the Highlands
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1️⃣ Introduction
Deep in the heart of the Cairngorms, where the River Dee winds through the heathered glens of Braemar, lies the ancient homeland of Clan Farquharson — one of Scotland’s most valiant Highland families. Their crest bears a proud lion rampant, symbolizing courage and guardianship, while their motto, Fide et Fortitudine — “By Faith and Fortitude” — captures the essence of their spirit.
To bear the name Farquharson is to carry a lineage of warriors and chiefs who stood steadfast for Scotland, for clan, and for honour. Known affectionately as the Fighting Farquharsons, their story is woven with rebellion, loyalty to the Stuarts, and an unyielding sense of Highland pride.
This is the story of Clan Farquharson of Invercauld, one of the great clans of the Scottish Highlands — a tale of bravery, endurance, and faith across centuries.
2️⃣ History & Origins
From Farquhar to Farquharson
The name Farquharson derives from the Gaelic MacFhearchair, meaning “son of Farquhar.” The personal name Farquhar itself comes from fearchar, translating to “dear man” or “beloved.”
The clan traces its lineage to Farquhar Shaw of Rothiemurchus, a descendant of Shaw MacDuff, whose family were the ancient Thanes of Fife and forebears of the powerful Clan Shaw. Around the 15th century, Farquhar’s descendants settled in Braemar, in upper Deeside, and became known as the Clan Fhearchair, or the children of Farquhar.
By the early 16th century, the family had become established as Farquharsons of Invercauld, their estate nestled in the shadow of the Cairngorms. The clan’s chiefs descended from Donald Farquharson of Castleton, who consolidated the clan lands and led his people into an era of strength and recognition among the Highland kindreds.
The Farquharsons of Invercauld
Under Donald’s leadership, Clan Farquharson became the most prominent branch of the ancient Clan Chattan confederation. The Farquharsons were fierce defenders of their lands, frequently engaged in clan conflicts, yet always deeply loyal to the Highland code of honour.
By the 17th century, they had established themselves as the leading power in Mar, the historic district of Aberdeenshire. Their strength and influence grew, and the name Farquharson became synonymous with Highland dignity and martial spirit.
The Lion of Braemar and the Jacobite Cause
The 18th century brought great trials and glories for Clan Farquharson. Their chief, Francis Farquharson of Monaltrie, became known as the Black Colonel, one of the most gallant figures of the 1745 Jacobite Rising.
He led his men at the Battle of Culloden, fighting bravely for Prince Charles Edward Stuart, the “Bonnie Prince.” Captured after the battle, he was sentenced to death — but his execution was miraculously stayed, and his life spared through royal intervention. Though his estates were seized, the clan’s honour remained untarnished.
The Farquharsons’ loyalty to the Jacobite cause became legendary. Even in defeat, they were celebrated for their courage and their unwavering commitment to the Stuart kings — a mark of fidelity that still defines their clan identity today.
3️⃣ Spelling Variations & Related Names
Over time, Farquharson has appeared in several spellings and related forms, reflecting Gaelic pronunciation and regional dialects. Common variations include:
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Farquharson
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MacFarquhar
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MacFarquharson
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Farcharson
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Farquarson
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Farquhar
The root personal name Farquhar also stands alone as a given name and surname. It remains common in the Highlands and among Scottish diaspora families, often as a nod to ancestral pride.
In Gaelic, the clan name appears as Clann Fhearchair, meaning “children of Farquhar.” The use of MacFhearchair was common before surnames became hereditary, eventually evolving into Farquharson as the standard English form.
The clan is historically allied with other kindreds of the Clan Chattan Confederation, including Clan Shaw, Clan MacPherson, and Clan Davidson. In Aberdeenshire and Deeside, they are also connected through marriage and loyalty to Clan Gordon, their powerful Lowland neighbours.
4️⃣ Landmarks & Regions Associated with Clan Farquharson
Braemar — The Heart of the Clan
The ancestral seat of Clan Farquharson lies in Braemar, a place of breathtaking beauty in the heart of the Cairngorms. This region, along the upper River Dee, has been the clan’s homeland for centuries — rugged mountains, pine forests, and tumbling rivers forming the natural fortress of their heritage.
At the centre of their domain stands Invercauld House, the seat of the chiefs of Clan Farquharson since the 16th century. Surrounded by vast estates, Invercauld remains one of Scotland’s great Highland houses, rich in clan history and tradition.
Nearby stands Braemar Castle, built in 1628 by the Earl of Mar and later garrisoned by the Farquharsons. The castle played a pivotal role in the clan’s story — it was here that the standard of the 1715 Jacobite Rising was first raised, under the leadership of John Erskine, Earl of Mar, with the Farquharsons among his staunchest supporters.
The Gathering of the Clans
Braemar is also famous as the site of the Braemar Gathering, one of Scotland’s oldest Highland Games. Clan Farquharson has been associated with this event for generations, with Invercauld House serving as a focal point for festivities and clan gatherings.
Each year, descendants of the clan from across the world return to Braemar to honour their ancestors and celebrate the enduring spirit of Highland culture.
Other Clan Lands
Beyond Braemar, the Farquharsons held lands throughout Deeside and upper Aberdeenshire, including Monaltrie, Inverey, and Finzean. Each estate has its own story — of loyalty, of feuds, and of survival through turbulent centuries.
The clan’s tartan, a rich blend of greens, blues, and black with a crimson stripe, reflects the deep hues of their Highland home — the forests, lochs, and heather of Deeside.
5️⃣ Migration & Modern-Day Presence
The Diaspora of the Farquharsons
Following the suppression of the Jacobite risings, many Highland families faced hardship, and some Farquharsons, like their kin across Scotland, emigrated overseas. They settled in Canada, the United States, Australia, and New Zealand, often taking with them little more than their courage, their name, and their pride.
In Canada, Farquharsons became respected pioneers and soldiers. In the United States, the name appears in early Scottish settlements along the eastern seaboard. In Australia, descendants of Deeside families made new lives in the 19th century, bringing Highland traditions with them.
Despite distance and time, the Farquharson diaspora retained their connection to Braemar and the clan’s history. Many still wear the Farquharson tartan with pride and maintain associations through clan societies worldwide.
Clan Farquharson Today
Today, Captain Alwyne Arthur Compton Farquharson of Invercauld, who long served as the 16th Chief of Clan Farquharson, represented the enduring leadership of the family. Though his passing marked the end of an era, the clan continues to thrive through the Clan Farquharson Society, which preserves its history, values, and traditions.
Clan Farquharson remains a symbol of Highland loyalty and fortitude — a reminder that faith, courage, and unity can weather any storm. Whether in Braemar or abroad, those who bear the name Farquharson carry with them the lion’s heart of the Highlands.
6️⃣ Fun Fact
Clan Farquharson’s motto, Fide et Fortitudine — “By Faith and Fortitude” — perfectly encapsulates their history. But there’s another, less formal title they’ve long held among Highland clans: The Fighting Farquharsons.
This nickname came from their bravery at the Battle of Culloden and in countless earlier conflicts. Their warriors were famed for wearing a sprig of pine in their bonnets as a badge of identification — a symbol of steadfastness and Highland spirit.
To this day, when the pipes of Braemar play and the tartans fly in the wind, the Farquharson lion still roars in memory of those who stood, fought, and lived “by faith and fortitude.”
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