Aulay MacAulay of Ardincaple

Sir Aulay MacAulay of Ardincaple
The heraldic elements within the seal of Aulay MacAulay of Ardincaple, 1593
Born	16th century
Died	December 1617
Known for	Chief of Clan MacAulay
Title	Laird of Ardincaple
Successor	Alexander MacAulay of Ardincaple (a first cousin)
Spouse(s)	Joanna Cunningham Margaret Crawford
Children	no children
Parent(s)	Walter MacAulay of Ardincaple Margaret Drummond

Sir Aulay MacAulay of Ardincaple (died 1617) was a Scottish laird, knight, clan chief, and a shire commissioner. He was the son and heir of Walter MacAulay Ardincaple, who was the laird of Ardincaple and chief of Clan MacAulay. The MacAulay estate of Ardincaple was situated in the location of the modern village of Rhu and Helensburgh, which both lie on the eastern shore of the Gare Loch, in Argyll and Bute. As chief of his clan, he entered into a contract with the chief of the MacGregors, pledging service and assistance to their chief. His clan feuded with the Buchanans, and his marriage to the widow of a deceased Galbraith chief brought forth feuding with that clan. He also feuded with the Campbells, particularly the Captain of Carrick. The Campbells made several attempts on his life and he was wounded one such encounter. Towards the end of his life he was knighted for his services. On his death he was succeeded by his first cousin.

Aulay MacAulay was born in the 16th century; the son and heir of Walter MacAulay, laird of Ardincaple, and chief of Clan MacAulay. According to the 19th-century historian Joseph Irving, Walter and his elder half-brother, Alexander, were likely the first of the clan to take the surname MacAulay. Aulay MacAulay's mother—the wife of Walter MacAulay of Ardincaple—was Margaret Drummond, eldest daughter of Alexander Drummond of Carnock. Aulay MacAulay of Ardincaple was married twice. His first wife was Joanna Cunningham, daughter of Cuthbert Cunningham of Corsehill. He later married Margaret Crawford, sometime before 24 April 1592, who was from the family of the Crawfords of Kilbirnie. Margaret Crawford was also the widow (and cousin) of James Galbraith of Culcreuch, 16th chief of Clan Galbraith. Ardincaple's marriage caused tension between him and his new son-in-law—Robert Galbraith of Culcreuch, 17th chief of Clan Galbraith.