Clan Mar: Guardians of Scotland’s Eastern Highlands, One of the Seven Ancient Earldoms, and a Lineage Older Than the Scottish Crown
Clan Mar—also written as Marr—is one of the oldest noble lineages in Scotland, tracing its ancestry to the earliest Celtic Mormaers (earls) of the eastern Highlands. Long before the formation of many Highland clans, the Earls of Mar ruled a vast territory stretching from the Cairngorm Mountains to Aberdeenshire. Their story is deeply entwined with Scotland’s earliest monarchy, the Wars of Independence, and the very foundation of the Scottish state.
Their motto, “Pans Plus” (Latin for “Think More”), reflects a family known for wisdom, leadership, and political influence across more than a millennium.
Origins and Early History
1. One of the Seven Ancient Earldoms of Scotland
The Mormaerdom (later Earldom) of Mar is believed to date back to:
The 6th or 7th century,
making it one of the oldest hereditary titles in Europe.
The early Mormaers were:
Celtic warlords
Tribal leaders
Judges and governors of the region between
Deeside, Strathdon, and the Garioch.
2. Pictish and Gaelic Roots
Mar’s earliest rulers descended from:
The Picts of Caledonia, especially the tribes of Deeside
Gaelic nobility who later united Pictish and Scots cultures
This dual identity gave the Earls of Mar unique authority in northern Scotland.
3. Donald, Earl of Mar (c. 1114)
One of the first historically recorded chiefs.
His descendants became central to Scottish political life—serving as:
Guardians of the Royal Family
Lord High Constables
Commanders in major national battles
Clan Mar in the Wars of Independence
1. Domhnall II, Earl of Mar
A close ally of Robert the Bruce, and one of the earliest nobles to support the Scottish cause.
He fought valiantly at the Battle of Dupplin Moor (1332), where he died defending the kingdom.
2. Isabel Douglas, Countess of Mar
A remarkable female noble who inherited the title and protected Mar’s territory during political upheaval.
3. Mar’s role in rebuilding Scotland
After the wars, the Earls oversaw:
Restoration of fortresses
Administration of royal justice
Regrowth of the eastern Highlands
Territories and Clan Seats
1. Kildrummy Castle
Often called the “noblest castle in Scotland,” this immense fortress was the principal seat of the Earls of Mar.
Its features include:
Massive curtain walls
Great round towers
A history as a royal refuge
2. Braemar
A key stronghold on the edge of the Cairngorms, long associated with the Mar earldom and later the Jacobite movement.
3. The Earldom of Mar
Historically included:
Braemar
Strathdon
The Grampian foothills
The upper River Dee
The Garioch region
4. Alloa Tower
Later residence of the Earls in Stirlingshire.
Crest, Motto & Clan Symbols
Crest:
A rock in a fast-flowing river, symbolising:
Endurance
Stability
Deep Highland roots
Motto:
“Pans Plus”
(“Think More” or “Consider More Deeply.”)
A tribute to wisdom and thoughtful leadership.
Badge:
The plant badge is the pine, symbolising:
Strength
Highland endurance
Ancestral longevity
Arms:
Traditionally feature:
A red shield
A silver bend
Heraldic devices connected to ancient earldom authority
Mar Tartans
Clan Mar tartans include:
Mar (Modern)
Deep red, forest green, and muted blue—classic and dignified.
Mar (Ancient)
Pale greens and reds with softer tones.
Mar (Weathered)
Earthy browns and grey-greens reflecting historical dyes.
These tartans are elegant and deeply rooted in Highland tradition.
Branches and Septs of Clan Mar
The Mar family includes a range of cadet lines and associated surnames:
Cadet Branches
Mar of Alloa
Mar of Kildrummy
Mar of Braemar
Associated Septs
Includes surnames with regional or historical connection:
Marr
Mar
Mearns (in some traditions)
Because Mar is an ancient earldom rather than a clan in the traditional Highland sense, its associated families often trace lineage through land, marriage, or feudal bonds.
Alliances & Clan Associations
Historically, the Murrays were deeply connected to:
Clan Douglas
Clan Barclay
Clan Stewart (Royal House)
Clan Gordon
Clan Forbes
These alliances shaped the political landscape of the northeast Highlands.
Feuds and Conflicts
1. Rivalry with the Comyns
During the Wars of Independence, Mar’s allegiance to Robert the Bruce put them directly against the powerful Comyn clan.
2. Disputes with the Earls of Buchan
Regional competition for land, influence, and royal favour.
3. Mar-Jacobite involvement
The region played a major role in:
The 1689 Rising
The 1715 Rising
Early meetings at Braemar Lodge
John Erskine, Earl of Mar, ignited the 1715 Jacobite Rising.
4. Conflicts with the Crown
After the failure of the Jacobite uprising, the Mar title suffered confiscations and political entanglements.
Mar in Warfare & National Service
1. Wars of Scottish Independence
Maro led key forces alongside Robert the Bruce.
2. Medieval and Highland conflicts
Provided:
Archers
Spearmen
Highland levies
3. Jacobite Risings
The Mar region and name are inseparable from the Jacobite cause:
Braemar Gathering origins
Earl of Mar’s leadership in 1715
4. Modern Military Service
Families bearing the Mar name have served in:
Highland regiments
Gordon Highlanders
Royal Scots
World War campaigns
Notable Figures from Mar
Domhnall II, Earl of Mar
Bruce’s ally and national hero.
Isabel Douglas, Countess of Mar
A powerful female noble in medieval Scotland.
John Erskine, 6th Earl of Mar
Leader of the 1715 Jacobite Rising.
The Mar Family of Alloa
Influential political figures across the 18th and 19th centuries.
Clan Status and Modern Identity
Chief:
Clan Mar remains connected to the Earl of Mar, one of the oldest extant peerages in Scotland.
The current holder is: Margaret of Mar, 31st Countess of Mar,
one of the very few hereditary female peers in Scotland.
Clan Societies:
Active globally in:
Scotland
Canada
USA
Australia
New Zealand
Clan Heartlands:
Mar (Aberdeenshire)
Braemar
Strathdon
Alloa
Clan Mar Facts at a Glance
Clan Name: Mar / Marr
Region: Aberdeenshire (Highland fringe)
Chief: Countess of Mar
Crest: Rock in a stream
Motto: Pans Plus
Badge: Pine
Tartans: Mar Modern, Ancient, Weathered
Feuds: Comyn, Buchan, political disputes
Notable Figures: Earls of Mar, Isabel Douglas, John Erskine
Status: One of Scotland’s oldest noble families, predating most clans
Conclusion
Clan Mar is not simply a Highland clan—it is a pillar of early Scottish statehood, a dynasty older than the monarchy itself. Rooted in Pictish royalty and medieval nobility, the Mar family shaped the political, military, and cultural landscape of Scotland’s eastern Highlands for over a thousand years.
Their motto, “Pans Plus,” reflects the thoughtful leadership, wisdom, and resilience that have defined this extraordinary lineage throughout Scotland’s history.