Origins of the clan There is a tradition that the first Graham was one
Greme who broke the Roman
Antonine Wall driving the Roman legions out of Scotland. However the likely origin is that the chiefs of Clan Graham were of
Anglo-Norman origin. Sir John de Graham is regarded as hero for rescuing Wallace at Queensbury. Stewart also wrote, It is remarkable that the early Grahams were one and all exceedingly capable men. In an age when the reputation of many great public figures, alas, that of most of the Scottish nobility, were sullied by deeds of violence, and often deeds of blackest treachery, it is refreshing to find that the Grahams stand out as loyal and true to the causes they espoused. Their story is not one of rapid rise to power through royal favor, or even at the expense of their peers, but rather a gradual steady rise based on their undoubted ability and worthiness which seems to have endured from one generation to another.
15th and 16th centuries was the clan's stronghold The Clan Graham fought at the
Battle of Sauchieburn led by the third Lord Graham. One of the most notable chiefs of the Clan Graham was James, Marquis of Montrose, a poet, but above all, the most distinguished royalist soldier of his time. He played a massive part in the Civil War in Scotland and the Grahams rallied to their chief. the
Battle of Aberdeen, the
Battle of Inverlochy (1645), the
Battle of Auldearn, the
Battle of Alford, and the
Battle of Kilsyth. After several years of continuous victories, Montrose was finally defeated at the
Battle of Philiphaugh on 13 September 1645 by the
Covenanter army of
David Leslie, Lord Newark, restoring the power of the
Committee of Estates. In 1646 Montrose laid siege to
Chanonry Castle which was held by the
Clan Mackenzie and took it from them after a siege of four days. In March 1650 he captured
Dunbeath Castle of the
Clan Sinclair, who would later support him at Carbisdale. Montrose was defeated at the
Battle of Carbisdale by the Munros, Rosses, Sutherlands and Colonel Alexander Strachan. He was subsequently captured and executed in Edinburgh in 1650.
John Graham, Viscount of Dundee Another notable Graham was John, Viscount of Dundee also known as "Bonnie Dundee". By means of purchase and inheritance the Graham lands had become, by the late seventeenth century, among the richest in Scotland. The Viscount of Dundee led a small Government Troop of Cavalry which was surprised and defeated at the
Battle of Drumclog in 1679 by an overwhelming force of rebel Covenanters (estimates suggest Graham was outnumbered by about 4–1). However he was victorious at the
Battle of Bothwell Brig where he put down a rebellion by the Covenanters. The battle was fought on 22 June 1679 in
Lanarkshire. Dundee was appointed Commander in Chief of all Scottish Forces by King James VII but died at the
Battle of Killiecrankie whilst commanding the
Jacobite Forces during their victory over a much larger
Williamite Army in 1689.
18th century and Jacobite uprisings The Clan Graham took no side in the Jacobite Uprisings and remained neutral throughout. Highlanders can thank
James Graham, 3rd Duke of Montrose for the repeal in 1782 of the
Dress Act 1746 prohibiting the wearing of highland dress. ==Castles==