Adversaries to Allies Study Day: Bràiste Latharna/The Brooch of Lorn

Hear from experts Sarah Laurenson, National Museum of Scotland, Ronnie Black, The Dewar Project, Catherine Gillies, Ergadia and Jamie MacGregor, Dunollie on the history and significance of the beautiful Brooch of Lorn; visit the display of the replica in Inveraray Castle; optional tour of Inveraray Castle. This event will be chaired in Gaelic and English by the Culture, Heritage and Arts Assembly, Argyll and Isles (CHARTS) Oifigear Cultair Ghàidhlig Àdhamh Ó Broin .

Tickets: £25 per person including coffee/tea and a sandwich lunch.

Book at https://argyllestatesarchives.org/shop or by emailing friends@argyllestatesarchives.org

Bràiste Latharna/The Brooch of Lorn (English below)

Tha Bràiste Latharna ceangailte gu tradaiseanta ri Blàr Dhail Rìgh ann an 1306, nuair a fhuair feachdan Chlann ’Ic Dhùghaill, fo Eòin Latharna, buaidh air an Rìgh Raibeart Brus. A-rèir beul-aithris, chaidh aig a’ Bhrusach air teicheadh le bhith a’ fuasgladh a’ ghuailleachain, a’ fàgail a’ bhràist às a dhèidh ann an greim an neach-ionnsaigh. Thàinig a’ bhràist gu bhith mar shamhla air toraidheachd-cogaidh agus chaidh a toirt seachad mar dhìleab gu na diofar chinn-fhine thar nam bliadhnaichean.

Aig àm Cogadh Sìobhalta na h-Alba, thug Clann ’Ic  Dhùghaill am bràist gu Caisteal nan Geimhlean ann an Cearara airson a cumail sàbhailte. Ann an 1647, chaidh an caisteal a’ chuairteachadh, a sgrios agus a’ losgadh le feachdan nan Cùmhnantaich, is chaidh am bràist a ghoid. Cha robh fios sam bith càit’ an robh a’ bhràist gu 1819, nuair a chaidh a lorg ann an ciste phàipearan oifigeil le Màidsear Caimbeul à Bragleen. Ann an 1824, chaidh a’ bhràist a thilleadh gu h-oifigeil gu Clann ’Ic Dhùghaill aig Caisteal Inbhir Aora. Tha fianais stoidhleach a’ sealltainn gun deach dreach ùr a thoirt air a’ bhràist anns an siathamh lìnn deug, a’ nochdadh atharrachadh ann am beachdan dhaoine, samhlachas agus bun-bheachdan mu dhìonachd agus cumhachd ann an coimhearsnachd na Gàidhealtachd.

The Brooch of Lorn is traditionally linked to the Battle of Dalrigh in 1306, when King Robert the Bruce was defeated by the MacDougall forces under John of Lorn. According to later tradition Bruce escaped by unclasping his mantle, leaving the brooch behind in the grasp of his attacker. The brooch became a trophy of war and passed through successive MacDougall chiefs.

During the Scottish Civil War, the MacDougalls removed the brooch for safekeeping to Gylen Castle on Kerrera. In 1647, the castle was besieged, sacked, and burned by Covenanter forces, and the brooch was taken. Its whereabouts remained unknown until 1819, when it was rediscovered in the charter chest of Major Campbell of Bragleen. In 1824, it was ceremoniously returned to the MacDougalls at Inveraray Castle. Stylistic evidence suggests the brooch was reset in the 16th century, reflecting changing beliefs, symbolism, and concepts of protection and power in Highland society.

The Muniments Room, Argyll Estates Archives, , Cherry Park, Inveraray, PA32 8XE,