Clans of the North-East: Irvine of Drum

October 2008

(Tartan courtesy of Scottish Tartans Authority)

by Gordon Casely

David Irvine of Drum is quite one of the most personable of clan chiefs. From his home in Banchory, he and his wife Carolyn keep in contact with Irvine activities throughout the world.

You’ll find him a notable supporter of events in our part of the world – he is treasurer of Wallace 700 in Aberdeen, a host in his own clan tent in Aboyne, and a regular attender at Braemar, Ballater and Lonach.

His friendliness and charm are at odds with the unashamedly bloody history of his clan. For example, a centuries-old feud with neighbouring Clan Keith that began in 1402 when Irvine slaughtered an invading war party of Keiths at the Battle of Drumoak was ended only on 4 August 2002 when David of Drum and his Keith opposite number Michael, Earl of Kintore finally met on the only piece of neutral ground between their original holdings – where in the middle of Park Bridge they signed a peace accord, with the Marquess of Huntly, chief of clan Gordon, acting as impartial witness.

Duel at the battle of Harlaw

The fighting talent of the Irvines was notably displayed when Sir Alexander Irvine of Drum in his role as chief led his clan in the battle of Harlaw in 1411, an event remembered in the ballad Gude Sir Alexander Irvine the much renounit Laird of Drum.

It was at Harlaw that Sir Alexander engaged in a duel with Hector of the Battles, chief of Maclean of Duart. In their struggles, both died from wounds inflicted upon each other.

The earliest record of an Irvine lies in the 12th century when Gilchrist, son of Erwini, witnessed a charter of the Earl of Galloway. Erewine and Erwinne are personal English names which have travelled north, and today there are some 250 recorded spellings of the name.

King Robert Bruce brought Irvines to the north-east of Scotland. William, hailing from what is now Irvine in Ayrshire, became a clerk in the royal chancellery and a protégé of Bernard, Abbot of Arbroath, Chancellor of Scotland. At the royal court, he became sufficiently well regarded to be appointed as the King’s representative in the royal forest of Drum, and in 1323 was granted lands here including occupancy of the ancient Tower of Drum, a royal hunting lodge. William of Irvine was granted the barony of Drum, and his later successors became lairds and owners of the Tower of Drum.

Survivor of Culloden

For 653 years until 1976, Drum Castle was continuously occupied by the Irvine family. In 1619, the 9th Laird added an elegant Jacobean mansion to the old tower. Throughout the 17th and 18th centuries, the Irvine family remained fiercely Royalist and Jacobite. The 17th Laird of Drum fought at the battle of Culloden in 1746 and lived to tell the tale, but had to go into hiding for some years. Adherence to these causes led to forfeiture of lands and a diminution in the size of the lands of Drum.

In 1976, on the death of the 24th laird of Drum, the family generously gifted Drum back to the nation, and it is now in the ownership of the National Trust for Scotland. David Irvine, 26th of Drum, lives close by Drum Castle. He is an active member of the Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs, sitting on the executive committee as honorary treasurer.

The chief’s motto of Sub Sole Sub Umbra Virens (Flourishing alike under sun and shade) and the use of holly leaves in the shield and crest reflects the ability of holly, like the Irvines, to thrive in sun and shade – good times and bad times.

Gordon Casely is a journalist who runs Herald Strategy, the Aberdeen-based corporate communications and heritage consultancy.

This is an article from the October 2008 edition of Leopard Magazine. To read much more like this every month, subscribe to Leopard Magazine.