Buchanan

The clan Buchanan can be traced to Anselan o'Kyan, who was a king of Ulster who came to Argyll in 1016.

The folklore states for his services in battle with the Danes, he received the lands of Buchanan near Loch Lomond from King Malcolm II. The lands remained in the family for seven centuries until the death of John, 22nd laird of Buchanan in 1682. Chiefship than passed to the Leny branch of Buchanans.

The Buchanans strongly supported Robert the Bruce in his fight for an independent Scotland, and also represented Scotland in the army of 7,000 men sent to do combat at the Battle of Agincourt. It is said that a Buchanan killed the Duke of Clarence at the Battle of Bauge in 1421.

The Buchanans of Leny fought in many battles including Flodden in 1513, Pinkie in 1547, and at Langside in 1568.

The Buchanans of Leny sold their land in 1682, and as a result the principal line expired in 1762, when chiefship passed to Buchanan of Spittal.

The famed Latin scholar, George Buchanan, was teacher to Mary Queen of Scots and James VI, and Keeper of the Privy Seal, from 1570 to 1578.