SOCIETY AND MEMBERSHIP

The Clan Graham Society is an organization of the descendants of the families of the “Gallant Grahams” of old Scotland.

Its membership is made up of those Grahams who know and who propagate the very distinguished accomplishments and honorable ideals of the Grahams, past and present. Because of the large number of Grahams in Scotland, their wide dispersion all along the Highland line was from Montrose on the North Sea to Loch Lomond (and further west) down past Glasgow through the Lowlands to Carlisle on the Border.

Membership in the Clan Graham Society is open to all people throughout North America and any country who can claim Graham ancestry.

Please complete a membership form and return it along with your payment, or you may pay your annual dues online using the following links and include a copy of the receipt with your completed form:

For more information about becoming a member of the Clan Graham Society, please contact:

Beth Stoney
Clan Graham Society c/o ECS Data Systems
P.O. BOX 784
Linville, NC 29486-0784
United States

E-mail: ecsdatasystems@gmail.com

The affairs of the Society are directed by the elected and appointed officers, six members-at-large, three Trustees and the Regional Commissioners who comprise the Council. They are elected at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Society. Click HERE for a list of current officers. This page also contains election information.

Official Publications

Policy, operations, and procedures are governed by the bylaws of the Society, adopted by the membership and amended by action of the AGM. Log in to the Members Only site to access the full PDF version of the most recent bylaws.

Bylaws

Policy, operations, and procedures are governed by the bylaws of the Society, adopted by the membership and amended by action of the AGM. Log in to the Members Only site here to access the full PDF version of the most recent bylaws.

Make your donation today!

As members of the Clan Graham Society, we strive to preserve the culture, genealogy, and history of the historic Graham Clan. Through regular donations to the Mudgock Foundation, we help preserve and maintain Mugdock Castle. The officers of the Clan Graham Society have established a special scholarship to encourage and promote Scottish arts and culture. Our clan genealogist helps members of the society research and preserve our history and genealogy. Your donation can help us continue to expand and continue our services! Make your donation today!

Mugdock Castle

The Mugdock Castle, located 12 miles north of Glasgow, Scotland, was the ancient seat of the Clan Graham between 1372 and 1700. Built around a courtyard, the castle was entered through a gatehouse with a portcullis. The South West Tower has four stories with a single room on each floor. The main entrance to the tower is by external stairs that leads to the Laird’s bedroom. In 1641, the castle was partly destroyed on orders from Parliament, but James Graham lived there until 1644. On the execution of James in 1650, the lands were forfeited to the Marquis of Argyll, Archibald Campbell. In 1655, Mugdock was returned to the Grahams and restored over a two-year period. In 1682, the Grahams bought Buchanan Old House near Drymen, a dwelling more fitting the title of “Marquis” but kept the family official seat at Mugdock for a long period of time.

Now, several centuries later, the castle still stands with the Graham heritage intact with a special room housing historical artifacts and documents with valuable clan and Scottish information. The grounds are now a park, which is one of Scotland’s most popular visitor attractions offering a great countryside experience. Tours, cultural events, recreational activities, corporate functions and private celebrations take place at Mugdock.

To help preserve this important Graham site, donations and fundraising are necessary. Sales from the Mugdock Collection also help with annual maintenance, restoration and refurbishment efforts.

Learn more about the Mugdock Castle by viewing the official web site at http://www.mugdock-country-park.org.uk/.

Other Graham Castles

The Clan Graham is associated with eight other castles listed below.

BUCHANAN CASTLE

Built: 1854

Location: West of Drymen Village in Stirlingshire, Scotland

Graham Connection: The 4th Duke of Montrose commissioned William Burn to build this baronial-style manor after the original structure, the ancestral seat of the Clan Buchanan, burned down in 1852 (no Buchanan had lived there). The new building was used to replace Mugdock Castle and still serves as the official seat of the Clan Graham to this day.

CLAYPOTTS CASTLE

Built: Circa 1569-1588

Location: West Ferry area of Dundee, Scotland

Graham Connection: Sir William Graham of Ballunie purchased the medieval castle from the Strachan Family in 1601 and later sold it to Sir William Graham of Claverhouse. When Viscount “Bonnie” Dundee John Graham of Claverhouse died in the Battle of Killicrankie, the castle became the property of the Crown in 1689.

DALKEITH CASTLE

Built: 1140

Location: Dalkeith, Midlothian, Scotland

Graham Connection: James Graham of Dalkeith, whose family had owned this palatial property for many years, died in 1341 and left no heirs. The castle and lands were passed on to the next of kin, his sister Marjory, who married Sir William Douglas of Lothian, and became the home of the Douglas Family for the next several hundred years.

HERMITAGE CASTLE

Built: Circa 1240 through the mid-14th century

Location: Scottish Borders

Graham Connection: The Grahams were among many who once held this castle, as the clan was involved in the disputes of the “debatable lands” of the Solway Firth with the English in the 16th century, building tower houses near Lockerbie and Annan. The fortress was known as “The Strength of Liddesdale” and has a colorful history as “The Guardhouse of the Bloodiest Valley in Britain.” Now in semi-ruins, today the castle is under the care of Historic Scotland.

INCHTALLA (TALLA) CASTLE

Built: 17th century (over another site dated to the 14th century)

Location: Isle of Monteith on the Lake of Menteith (Scotland’s only lake)

Graham Connection: The official seat of the Grahams, who were the Earls of Menteith, the castle dominates the entire island. The photo is an aerial view of what still remains today.

KILBRYDE CASTLE

Built: 1460

Location: Dunblane, Central Scotland

Graham Connection: Sir John Graham built this castle on the banks of Ardoch Burn. For more than 200 years, it belonged to Clan Graham under the Earls of Menteith. In 1669, the castle was sold to Sir Colin Campbell and is now the property of the Campbell Family.

KINCARDINE CASTLE

Built: 13th or 14th century

Location: Auchterarder in Perth and Kinross, Scotland
(Not to be confused with another Kincardine Castle on the Royal Deeside)

Graham Connection: Sir David de Graham built the earlier castle further up a glen. After the defeat of James Graham, the 1st Marquis of Montrose, who led the Covenanting Forces in the 1640s, his lands were forfeited and the castle was demolished in 1645. All that remains are a few of the foundational stones, some of which were used to build a local church in 1660. Only the tower of that old kirk still stands today with a plaque identifying that it was built from the stones of the castle. Pictured at left are the ruins of the original castle walls.

MAINS (FINTRY) CASTLE

Built: 1652-1582

Location: Fintry, Dundee, Scotland

Graham Connection: Sir David Graham built this castle as the seat of the Grahams of Fintry. In the 19th century, Robert Graham of Fintry sold the lands. A Graham Family mausoleum is located on the opposite side of Gelly Burn. Now part of a public park, the castle is a popular venue for weddings and events.

CONTACT US