The Clan Macnab, a branch of the great Siol Alpine, are of ecclesiastical origin, being termed in Gaelic Clann-an-aba (children of the Abbot), and claim descent from the abbots of Glendochart, where the clan lands were for several centuries. They were an important clan as early as the twelfth century, but they joined the MacDougalls in their fight against Robert the Bruce.

After Bannockburn the Macnabs lost all their possessions except the Barony of Bovain, in Glendochart, which was confirmed to them by a charter from David II. To Gilbert Macnab in 1336. Finlay, 4th chief, added considerably to the family estates towards the end of the fifteenth century. In 1552, Finlay, 6th chief, mortgaged the most of his lands to Campbell of Glenorchy, but the clan refused to acknowledge the superiority of Glenorchy. In 1606, Finlay, 7th chief, entered into the famous bond of friendship with his cousin, Lachlan MacKinnon of Strathardle, which is often quoted as proof of the common descent of the two clans.

The Macnabs unders their chief, “ Smooth John,” supported the Stuarts during the Civil Wars, and served under Montrose, and the chief was later killed at the Battle of Worcester, In the Rising of 1745 the chief sided with the government, but the clan supported Prince Charles. Francis, 12th and last chief in the direct line, was a noted character in his time, and the subject of Raeburn’s famous portrait. Archibald, his nephew, who died in 1860, was the last known chief.

Crest: The head of a savage affronte, proper. Badge: Heath, Pine, Crowberry. Pipe music: Macnab’s Salute.