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MOTTO
WILL GOD I SHALL |
CLAN TARTAN
MENZIES HUNTING TARTAN |
The name Menzies is of french origin, from the Normandy region. The name first appeared in documents dating back to the 12th and 13th centuries. The position of Lord Chamberlain of Scotland was held by Sir Robert in 1249 and his son, Alexander, held land near Aberfeldy and at Atholl, both in Perthshire. There are still many members of the family living in the area today.
The family was involved in the War of Independence on the side of Robert the Bruce and were subsequently rewarded with lands which allowed them to consolidate their holdings in Perthshire. By the time of King Robert’s death the land held by the Menzies family stretched from Aberfeldy in the North to Loch Lomond in the South.
In the 16th century, King James IV raised the family lands to the status of a barony. The family seat, Castle Menzies, was also built about this time at Aberfeldy.
Members of the Menzies clan were involved in both the ’15 and ’45 risings. However the chief did not take part in the ’45 rising and the clan was led by Menzies of Shian.
A member of the Menzies clan, Colonel James Menzies, is credited with introducing the larch to Scotland from the Tyrol in 1738. The larch can still be found in abundance in the Highlands and the original trees are still growing in the grounds of the Duke of Atholl’s residence.
The line survived until 1910 when the 8th baronet died without leaving any heirs; however the chiefship was reinvested in 1958 by the Lyon Court. The clan seat was acquired in 1957 by the clan Society and is now used as a centre for the clan worldwide. The present chief lives in Australia.
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Clan Crest © Art Pewter Silver Ltd, East Kilbride, Scotland |
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