Clan MacLean (/mækˈleɪn/; Scottish Gaelic: Mac Gill-Eain) is a Highland Scottish clan. They are one of the oldest clans in the Highlands and owned large tracts of land in Argyll as well as the Inner Hebrides. Many early MacLeans became famous for their honour, strength and courage in battle. They were involved in many clan skirmishes with the MacKinnons, Camerons, MacDonalds and Campbells. They were fierce Jacobites fighting in all of the Jacobite risings.
The second branch of the Duart family, that of Ardgour, is descended from Lachlan Bronneach Maclean, the 7th Chief of Clan Maclean, by a daughter of MacEarchorn Maclean of Kingerloch. Having been born out of wedlock, Donald Maclean, 1st Laird of Ardgour. was, in consequence, brought up among his mother's people.
When of age to bear arms, he was taken by his grandfather to the Castle of Ardtornish in Morvern, where MacDonald of the Isles then resided, and asked MacDonald to give him some living, as he was a promising youth.
MacMaster, Laird of Ardgour had upset MacDonald, and he took the opportunity to gain revenge by suggesting MacEarchorn and his grandson should leap the dyke where it was lowest. They took the hint, went to Ardgour, attacked MacMaster, took him and his son(s) and killed them.
The Chief's eldest son had escaped and fled to Corran Ferry hoping to be taken across to the other side. However, MacGurraclaich, the ferryman, was out fishing and responded to the call to come ashore with "The 'cuddies' are taking too well to-night"). The pursuing Macleans soon caught and killed him.
MacLean then killed the ferryman for his duplicity and disloyalty and hung him using his oars as a scaffold.