The Highland clan that commands Europe's only legal private army

Countries & Cities · Published 9 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: From 12th-century Flemish knights to the Jacobite risings, Clan Murray has shaped Scottish history. Today, they hold a unique distinction: the Atholl Highlanders, which is the only private army in Europe permitted to exist by law, a ceremonial guard that received colours from Queen Victoria in 1845.

The origins of Clan Murray trace back to the 12th century with Freskin, a man likely of Flemish descent rather than Pictish. Employed by Norman kings to pacify Scotland, Freskin was granted lands in West Lothian and the ancient kingdom of Moray. Through strategic intermarriage with the old house of Moray, his descendants consolidated power, eventually adopting the surname 'Murray' from the Norman 'de Moravia'. The family's ancestral lands were originally granted by King David I. This early settlement helped establish the clan's long-standing influence across the region.

The clan's political ascent was marked by significant titles and strategic marriages. In 1606, the Murrays of Tullibardine were created Earls of Tullibardine. Through marriage to the heiress of the Stewart earldom of Atholl, the family secured the Atholl title, which became a marquessate in 1676 and a dukedom in 1703. This lineage produced influential figures like Sir Andrew Murray, 4th Lord of Bothwell, who married Christian Bruce, sister of King Robert the Bruce. The family's influence was further cemented by their involvement in the Wars of Scottish Independence. During this era, the chiefs provided vital support to leaders like William Wallace.

The clan's history is deeply intertwined with the Jacobite risings of the 18th century. While some family members supported the British government, others, like the Jacobite general Lord George Murray, were architects of Stuart successes. This internal division was so pronounced that during the 1745 rising, Murray regiments fought on both sides at the Battle of Prestonpans. The clan's military legacy continues through their ceremonial guard. This unique unit was honoured by Queen Victoria, who presented them with colours in 1845.

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