Believed to descend from an early sixth century son of Fergus MacErc, King of Ulster, who made the sea crossing from Ireland to Scotland's west coast, those who would come to bear the Maclaurin, or Maclaren, name thrived for centuries in Balquhidder and Loch Earn in West Perthshire.
• Followers of the powerful Earls of Strathearn, they were frequently to be found with battle-axe and sword in hand in major battles that included Bannockburn in 1314 while, in 1513, they were among the Scots killed at the disastrous battle of Flodden.
• The clan's turbulent exploits spanned the prominent and lofty saga of Scotland's history.
