An t-Ailpeinach
At the time of Robert the Bruce, the Chief of MacGregor was Malcolm. Nigel Tranter referred to Malcolm as Chief of Clan Alpin, as an hereditary right, in "The Bruce Trilogy."
Robert "Rob Roy" MacGregor, An t-Ailpeinach, "Chief of the Alpine Clan" so referred to by Sir Walter Scott, as well as Nigel Tranter in "The MacGregor Trilogy."
The current Chief and Hereditary Patron of The Clan Gregor Society is Sir Malcolm MacGregor of MacGregor, Bart., 24th Hereditary Chief of Clan Gregor. His Gaelic designation is An t-Ailpeineach - a name which bears testimony to the Clan as Clann Ailpein, Clan Alpin origin, the older kindred name of MacGregor.
In his Lament to Sir Gregor MacGregor of MacGregor, 23rd Chief of Clan Gregor, the bard of Clan Gregor proclaims:
(v.5) Bu Tu deagh Ghriogarach,
air ceum do shinnsirean,
a-measg ceann-cinneachean,
o' fhreumh shìol Ailpin
bu dualach' s fhìor do chòir."
You were a goodly MacGregor
on the path your ancestors
in the midst of the chiefs
of the root of the seed of Alpin
as would be your hereditary and pure right.
(v.13) S'oil leam càradh
do chéile mnatha nad dhéigh;
làn amhghair;
bean an Ailpinich àillidh bean-uais
's bàrr do ghlòir.
I am concerned for the situation
of your spouse after you;
full of sorrow;
resplendent wife of MacGregor of MacGregor noble lady
and the apex of your glory.
© Copyright Marbhrann do'n t-Ailpeineach
by Padraig MacNeil, Official Bard of Clan Gregor
~~More to come: under construction~~
