Famous Graham Clansmen

There are many famous Grahams but a few really tower above the rest. This is a brief guide to some of our most famous clansmen.

Sir John Graham of Dundaff

‘Best loved of all compatriots’, Sir John Graham is famous for being Sir William Wallace’s right hand man. He joined Wallace not long before the rising at Lanark. It was the Graham and his men that attacked Robert Thorn, captain of the English garrison while Wallace took on Sir William Haselrig, Sheriff of Clydesdale. Sir John also distinguished himself in a skirmish near Queensbury in early 1297 when the Scots met a large body of English cavalry led by Sir John Graystock. After running out on to open moor land, Wallace ordered his men to stand and fight giving Graham instructions to lead the assault. Graham charged with his thirty or so companions and killed Graystock himself giving the rest of the Scots a chance to retreat in to the forest without losing a man. He went on to support Wallace at Stirling Bridge but was badly injured on the 12th June 1298 at Blackearnside. As a result he was only just fit enough the following month to fight at the battle of Falkirk where along with many other Scots he lost his life.

James Graham 1st Marquis of Montrose

Without doubt the most famous Clan Chief, James Graham led the loyal clans of the highlands, islands and Ireland in what is known as the ‘year of miracles’. Born in 1612, Montrose received a top education culminating in his attendance at St Andrews University where he won the famous Silver Arrow competition not once but twice. After a spell travelling Europe to learn among other things the art of war, he returned to Scotland at a critical time. King Charles I (1625 – 1649) under the guidance of advisers in England wanted to bring the Scots church in to line with that of England’s faith. In response the Scots created the covenant that promised to uphold their loyalty to both monarchy and their religion. Montrose was one of the first to sign and took part in the ‘Bishops wars’. However it soon became clear that other chiefs were using the covenant for their own gain at the expense of the crown. After much soul searching Montrose raised the King’s standard at Blair Atholl rallying the clans to unite for the king. Clans that fought under Montrose include several branches of Clan Donald, Gordon, MacGregor, MacLean, Macpherson, Napier, Ogilvie, Robertson and Stewarts of Appin to name but a few. Their battle honours include the battle of Tippermuir, Aberdeen, Inverlochy, Auldearn, Alford and Kilsyth. Although it should be noted there are many more besides these. After a spell in exile Montrose returned to Scotland for one final campaign to win back the throne for Charles II (1650 – 1685). It was not to be and after losing the battle of Carbisdale, he was betrayed by MacLeod of Ardvreck, handed to his enemies and executed in Edinburgh on the 21st May 1650. At the Restoration of the Monarchy in 1660, Charles II ordered Edinburgh to give Montrose a state funeral and he was laid to rest with great pomp and ceremony at St Giles Cathedral where his tomb can be seen today.