Lochbuie Arms
The Arms of the Chief of the SENIOR LINE of Gilleathain-na-Tuaidh, The Much Honoured Lorne Gillean Iain Maclaine of Lochbuie, 26th hereditary Chief of Clan Gillean of Lochbuie, as granted by The Lord Lyon, King of Arms in 1978, and amended in 2009, are described as;
1.1 A red lion rampant (indicating descent from the ancient Kingdom of Dalriada… the tribe of Loarn) on a field of silver.
1.2 A lymphad, or galley, in black (symbol of Norse Royal power and signifying descent from, or intermarriage with, the family of the Lords of the Isles) on a field of gold.
1.3 A red hand (heraldic device of the High Kings of Ireland) holding a blue St. Columban’s crosslet (implying a connection with St. Columba and Christianity) on a field of gold.
1.4 An embattled tower (signifying Moy Castle) in silver on a field of blue.
3. His cap or chapeau, placed above the shield, is ermine trimmed and blue – indicating the Chief is not currently in possession of his hereditary lands.
4. His Knight’s Helm is appropriately a Great Tilting Helm.
5. His crest over the helmet comprises Gillean’s battle axe (signifying the senior line of Gillean) with a laurel branch (victory) and cypress branch (honour) crossed.
6. His motto in the streamer is VINCERE VEL MORI (Victory or Death).
The use of Gillean’s battleaxe as a family crest continues in the Lochbuie bloodlines, e.g. MacLean of Dochgarroch, whereas the Duart crests (and their bloodlines) are the embattled tower.
The approved badge for Clan followers and supporters is the Chief’s motto on a buckled belt surrounding the Chief’s crest. Some rendition of the Clansman’s badge show the battleaxe with a curved haft, however this is not heraldically correct.