Clan Mar is a Scottish clan of the Scottish Lowlands.[2] It is also officially known as the Tribe of Mar.[3] The chiefs of the Clan Mar were the original Earls of Mar, although this title later went via an heiress to the Douglases in the late fourteenth century, and then to the Stewarts before going to the Erskines. The current chief of Clan Mar is Margaret of Mar, Countess.
The Earls of Mar supported Robert the Bruce's claim to the throne.[2] Donald's eldest daughter was Isabella of Mar who was the first wife of Robert the Bruce.[2] Isabella's brother was Gartnait (Gratney) who married Bruce's sister, Christina Bruce.[2] Gratney was succeeded by his son, Domhnall (Donald) II.[2] This Donald was captured at the Battle of Methven in 1306.[2] He was then taken as a hostage to England and was not released until after the Scottish victory at the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314, when several other hostages including the wife, sister and daughter of Robert the Bruce were exchanged for the Earl of Hereford.[2] Mar was chosen as Regent of Scotland in 1332 but he only held the title for ten days.[2] On the eve of his election to the post, Edward Balliol marched with his English troops to Perth while Mar gathered his troops to confront the invaders.[2] In the dead of night the English fell upon the Scots army while they were asleep and totally routed them.[2] The Earl of Mar was among those who were killed.[2]
Chief John Erskine (known as "Bobbing John") supported the House of Stuart and the Jacobite cause during the uprisings.[2] He had his honours forfeited for supporting the Jacobite cause.[2] These honours were restored in 1824 by Act of parliament.[2]
^Coventry, Martin (2008). Castles of the Clans: The Strongholds and Seats of 750 Scottish Families and Clans. Musselburgh: Goblinshead. p. 555. ISBN978-1-899874-36-1.
