MARKS OF CLANSHIP The Clan Motto: We have enclosed an application for membership in the Clan Gunn Society of The Coat of Arms: Aut Pax Aut Bellum Greetings from the North America. We hope that you will The Chief’s standard and pinsel incorpo- (Either Peace or War) join and enjoy the camaraderie so many CLAN GUNN SOCIETY OF rate the Arms of Gunn, a three masted others have found among their fellow kin The War Cry: NORTH AMERICA ship, juniper and the upraised arm with a as well as increase your knowledge of basket hilt sword. The pinsel is displayed The war cry of the Chief of Clan Gunn is Scotland and its history and culture, and when representing the Chief. unrecorded. The Commander’s war cry enhance your pride in your Scottish her- is “Clyth” - the ancient seat of the Clan. itage. The Tartan: In completing the membership The Gunn tartan is predominantly blue, application, please print or write clearly. green and black with a thin red stripe. Your name and address become our first The actual sett is: Red 4, Green 24, link to you. Black 24, Green 2, Blue 24, Green 4, Blue 24, etc. The tartan may be obtained in modern You are invited to visit our website at: dyes (dark blue and green); ancient www.clangunn.us The Crest Badge: (lighter blue and green); old reproduction (with a browny hue) usually called The traditional crest of the Chief of Clan hunting or weathered; and muted Send the completed application to: Gunn is a naked arm grasping a sword. ancient. All members of the Clan are entitled to Chuck Jamison At one of the recent Scottish wear this crest surrounded by a strap Membership Secretary Highland events, you requested The Clan Banner: and buckle bearing the Chief’s motto 9382 Blue Oak Drive additional information about Clan “Aut Pax Aut Bellum” (Either Peace or Gunn. We are pleased to send the War). Orangevale, CA 95662 following information to you and E-Mail Address: hope that you will consider joining The Plant Badge: [email protected] the Clansmen generally wore the plant badge of the Clan in their caps. This Clan Gunn Society of originally was roseroot, which flourishes North America in the vicinity of Castle Gunn. Later the juniper was adopted which grows in profusion in Kildonan. GUNN HISTORY strong in the area, having acquired lands From them are descended the Gunns of THE CLAN GUNN SOCIETY IN there through marriage to local heiress- Braemore, also known as the Robson The Clan Gunn claims descent from the NORTH AMERICA es. By the late 15th Century the Gunns Gunns. Norse Jarls (or Earls) of Okrney and from The Clan Gunn Society of North America has been dispossessed of their most the ancient Celtic Mormaers (or High John, the third son of George Gunn of was founded in 1969 in North Carolina profitable estates. However, records Stewards) of Caithness. Ulbster, settled in Strathmore in the high- by the Late Donald Williamson. show that in the middle of the Century, er reaches of the River Thurso, above Membership in the Society is open to The name Gunn derives from Gunni, the George Gunn of Ulbster, Chief of Clan Westerdale. From him are descend- persons of Gunn kinship by birth, grandson of the “Ultimate Viking” Sweyn Gunn and Crowner of Caithness still held ed the Gunns of Cattaig. marriage or adoption. Asleifsson—killed in the plunder of his principal lands at Ulbster and Clyth in Dublin in 1171. Gunni acquired great close proximity to Castle Gunn, but by The Hendersons, Williamsons, and The Clan Gunn Society of North America estates in Caithness and Sutherland by this time the Chiefs had moved their liv- Wilsons of Caithness are said to be (CGSNA) is headed by officers, elected his marriage to Ragnhild, a ing accommodation a mile further south descended from Henry and William, two at the Annual General Meeting (AGM). granddaughter of Rognvald, Earl of to a more commodious castle at Halber- younger sons of George Gunn of Ulbster. The AGM is held during a USA or Orkney (later Saint Rognvald) and the ry. The majority of Gunns were by now The Chiefship of the Clan was dormant Canadian Scottish Highland games at a great granddaughter of Moddan, occupying the highland regions of for over 100 years. The head of the venue selected by the President. A Mormaer of Caithness. Moddan was Caithness in what have become the par- Clan, in the absence of a recognized CGSNA newsletter is published reputed to be a kinsman of King Duncan ishes of Latheron, Halkirk, and Reay. chief, was Iain Gunn of Banniskirk, who quarterly; some branches also publish a of Albank, murdered by Macbeth. newsletter. The Clan Genealogist has In 1478, George Gunn of Ulbster-also was appointed Commander of the Clan accumulated and computerized Gunni was succeeded by his son known as “Am Braisdeach Mor” (Big Gunn in 1972. The appointment was thousands of pedigrees from clan Snaekol who lost forever for the Gunns Broochy) from the hugh brooch he wore made by the Lord Lyon, King of Arms, at members worldwide, and his services the title to the Earldom of Orkney by as his insignia as Crowner—was killed at the request of the landed and armigerous are available to all members in good murdering his cousin John, the holder of St. Tayre’s Chapel, near Ackergill Tower, members of the Clan. Iain Alexander standing. the title in 1231. From that time on the in a battle with Clan Keith over land Gunn of Gunn, formerly of Banniskirk, is Gunns became Caithness-based. claims. After his death, the Clan split up now the Chief of Clan Gunn following a The Society maintains a website with decision by the Lord Lyon in September, Snaekol is reputed to have built Castle into three distinct families with their own additional and current information about 2015. Gunn on a sea-girt rock at Bruan on the territories. Clan Gunn at www.clangunn.us. coast south of Wick. Nothing now re- James, the eldest son of George Gunn of The first Clan Gunn Society was founded The main activity of each branch is to mains of this historic seat of the Chiefs of Ulbster, moved to Kildonan in in 1821 as the Loyal and United represent the Clan at a hospitality tent at Clan Gunn but the foundations. Sutherland, were he obtained lands from Benevolent Society of the Clan Gunn. A the Scottish Highland Games and second Society was established in In the 13th and 14th Centuries, the the Earl of Sutherland. From James (or Events. This hospitality tent is your London in the late 19th Century. The Chiefs of Clan Gunn were at the height Seumas) are descended the MacSheu- “home” at the event and provides an present Society was reconstituted in of their power. They held the influential mas (or Mac Hamish) Gunns. excellent place for you to become Edinburgh in 1960. acquainted with your “cousins”. office of hereditary Crowner of Robert, the second son of George Gunn Caithness. Their power was to bechal- of Ulbster, established his family in lenged, however, the Sinclairs and the Braemore, in the southern heights of Keiths who were becoming increasingly Caithness. .