Sir Rory Mor's Horn
Encyclopedia
Sir Rory Mor's Horn is a drinking horn and one of several heirloom
s of the MacLeods of Dunvegan, chiefs of Clan MacLeod
. Clan custom is that each successive chief is to drink a full measure of the horn in wine to prove his "manhood". The artwork on the horn has been thought by some to date as far back as the 10th century and by others as far back as the 16th century. The MacLeod chiefs have several other notable heirlooms kept at Dunvegan Castle
—such as the Fairy Flag
and the Dunvegan Cup
(pictured right).
, made of an ox
's horn, tipped in silver
. The rim around the mouth of the horn is thick and on this there are imprinted seven medallions. On three of the medallions are beasts, on three others are patterns, and on the seventh and joining medallion is both a pattern and a beast. R.C. MacLeod considered the work to be Norse, and declared the horn to date from the 10th century. The horn holds about 2 pints (1.1 l). Clan MacLeod custom is that each successive chief, on achieving the age of manhood
, should drain, in one draught, the horn which is filled to the brim. The horn is named after Sir
Ruairidh Mòr MacLeòid
(c
.1562–1626), the 15th chief of Clan MacLeod.
There have been differing opinions concerning the age of the horn. In 1927, R.C. MacLeod declared his opinion that it dated from the 10th century. Professor
Brögge, from Oslo
, thought it was of Norse origin, dating from the 10th century. Professor Callander, from Edinburgh
, considered it to be not unfamiliar with other objects of Scotland, and dated it to the 16th century.
In 1906, R.C. MacLeod noted that the greater proportion of the horn had been filled in, and that it was "but a moderate drink the present day Chiefs have to quaff. With what contempt, what might scorn would these stern warriors of the past look upon the puny performances of their descendants". In 1956, Elizabeth II
and Prince Philip
visited Dunvegan Castle
. During this occasion, John
, maternal grandson of the clan chief Dame
Flora MacLeod of MacLeod
, was challenged to quaff the horn which was filled with claret
—which he did in one minute 57 seconds.
The Bannatyne manuscript
, dates from about 1830 and is thought to have probably been written by Dr. William MacLeod Bannatyne
. R.C. MacLeod noted that the manuscript contains a tradition concerning the origin of the horn. This tradition runs that one night, Malcolm
(1296–1370), the 3rd chief of Clan Macleod, returned from a tryst
with the Campbell
wife of the chief of the Frasers
who possessed the lands of Glenelg. That night Malcolm encountered a bull which lived in the woods of Glenelg and which had terrorised the local inhabitants. Armed with only a dirk
, Malcolm slew the bull and broke off one of its horns. Malcolm carried off the horn to Dunvegan
, as a trophy of his prowess. For this act of valour, Fraser's wife forsook her husband for Malcolm, thus starting a lengthy clan feud between the Frasers and the MacLeods. The tradition runs that ever since Malcolm's slaying the bull the horn has remained at Dunvegan; and was converted into a drinking horn, which each chief must drain to the bottom in one draught. The manuscript continues that ever since Malcolm defeated the bull, the family of MacLeod of MacLeod have used a bull's head as their heraldic crest, with the motto "hold fast".
R.C. MacLeod noted another tradition concerning a bull and motto of the clan's chiefs (though not the drinking horn). The tradition runs that one day Tormod (c
.1509–1584), 12th chief of Clan MacLeod was being entertained by Argyll, chief of Clan Campbell, at Inverary Castle. During his visit, the MacLeod chief learned that one of his clansmen was a convicted criminal who had condemned to be gored to death by a bull. The MacLeod chief appealed to Argyll, but the Campbell chief replied that it was too late and that nothing could save the MacLeod clansman. The MacLeod chief then sprang into the ring, armed with only his dirk, and attacked the bull. He grabbed hold of the bull's horns and cried out "hold fast!" and saved the clansman.
The Skeabost Horn, which was the trophy awarded to the champions of the Southern League in the sport of shinty
is based on the horn of Rory Mor. The Horn is no longer competed for but is in the possession of Mr. Jack Asher.
Heirloom
In popular usage, an heirloom is something, perhaps an antique or some kind of jewelry, that has been passed down for generations through family members....
s of the MacLeods of Dunvegan, chiefs of Clan MacLeod
Clan MacLeod
Clan MacLeod is a Highland Scottish clan associated with the Isle of Skye. There are two main branches of the clan: the Macleods of Harris and Dunvegan, whose chief is Macleod of Macleod, are known in Gaelic as Sìol Tormoid ; the Macleods of Lewis, whose chief is Macleod of The Lewes, are known in...
. Clan custom is that each successive chief is to drink a full measure of the horn in wine to prove his "manhood". The artwork on the horn has been thought by some to date as far back as the 10th century and by others as far back as the 16th century. The MacLeod chiefs have several other notable heirlooms kept at Dunvegan Castle
Dunvegan Castle
Dunvegan Castle is a castle a mile and a half to the North of Dunvegan on the Isle of Skye, situated off the west coast of Scotland. It is the seat of the MacLeod of MacLeod, chief of the Clan MacLeod. Dunvegan Castle is the oldest continuously inhabited castle in Scotland and has been the...
—such as the Fairy Flag
Fairy Flag
The Fairy Flag is an heirloom of the chiefs of Clan MacLeod. It is held in Dunvegan Castle along with other notable heirlooms, such as the Dunvegan Cup and Sir Rory Mor's Horn. The Fairy Flag is known for the numerous traditions of fairies, and magical properties associated with it...
and the Dunvegan Cup
Dunvegan Cup
The Dunvegan Cup is a wooden ceremonial cup, decorated with silver plates, which dates to 1493. It was created at the request of Caitríona, wife of John Maguire, lord of Fermanagh. The cup is an heirloom of the Macleods of Dunvegan, and is held at their seat of Dunvegan Castle. There are several...
(pictured right).
Description and custom
Sir Rory Mor's Horn is a drinking hornDrinking horn
A drinking horn is the horn of a bovid used as a drinking vessel. Drinking horns are known from Classical Antiquity especially in Thrace and the Balkans, and remained in use for ceremonial purposes throughout the Middle Ages and the Early Modern period in some parts of Europe, notably in Germanic...
, made of an ox
Ox
An ox , also known as a bullock in Australia, New Zealand and India, is a bovine trained as a draft animal. Oxen are commonly castrated adult male cattle; castration makes the animals more tractable...
's horn, tipped in silver
Silver
Silver is a metallic chemical element with the chemical symbol Ag and atomic number 47. A soft, white, lustrous transition metal, it has the highest electrical conductivity of any element and the highest thermal conductivity of any metal...
. The rim around the mouth of the horn is thick and on this there are imprinted seven medallions. On three of the medallions are beasts, on three others are patterns, and on the seventh and joining medallion is both a pattern and a beast. R.C. MacLeod considered the work to be Norse, and declared the horn to date from the 10th century. The horn holds about 2 pints (1.1 l). Clan MacLeod custom is that each successive chief, on achieving the age of manhood
Adult
An adult is a human being or living organism that is of relatively mature age, typically associated with sexual maturity and the attainment of reproductive age....
, should drain, in one draught, the horn which is filled to the brim. The horn is named after Sir
Sir
Sir is an honorific used as a title , or as a courtesy title to address a man without using his given or family name in many English speaking cultures...
Ruairidh Mòr MacLeòid
Roderick Macleod of Macleod
Sir Roderick Macleod of Macleod, also known as Rory Mor, was the 15th chief of Clan MacLeod. His seat as Clan Chief was Dunvegan Castle.-Biography:...
(c
Circa
Circa , usually abbreviated c. or ca. , means "approximately" in the English language, usually referring to a date...
.1562–1626), the 15th chief of Clan MacLeod.
There have been differing opinions concerning the age of the horn. In 1927, R.C. MacLeod declared his opinion that it dated from the 10th century. Professor
Professor
A professor is a scholarly teacher; the precise meaning of the term varies by country. Literally, professor derives from Latin as a "person who professes" being usually an expert in arts or sciences; a teacher of high rank...
Brögge, from Oslo
Oslo
Oslo is a municipality, as well as the capital and most populous city in Norway. As a municipality , it was established on 1 January 1838. Founded around 1048 by King Harald III of Norway, the city was largely destroyed by fire in 1624. The city was moved under the reign of Denmark–Norway's King...
, thought it was of Norse origin, dating from the 10th century. Professor Callander, from Edinburgh
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
, considered it to be not unfamiliar with other objects of Scotland, and dated it to the 16th century.
In 1906, R.C. MacLeod noted that the greater proportion of the horn had been filled in, and that it was "but a moderate drink the present day Chiefs have to quaff. With what contempt, what might scorn would these stern warriors of the past look upon the puny performances of their descendants". In 1956, Elizabeth II
Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom
Elizabeth II is the constitutional monarch of 16 sovereign states known as the Commonwealth realms: the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Jamaica, Barbados, the Bahamas, Grenada, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Belize,...
and Prince Philip
Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh
Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh is the husband of Elizabeth II. He is the United Kingdom's longest-serving consort and the oldest serving spouse of a reigning British monarch....
visited Dunvegan Castle
Dunvegan Castle
Dunvegan Castle is a castle a mile and a half to the North of Dunvegan on the Isle of Skye, situated off the west coast of Scotland. It is the seat of the MacLeod of MacLeod, chief of the Clan MacLeod. Dunvegan Castle is the oldest continuously inhabited castle in Scotland and has been the...
. During this occasion, John
John MacLeod of MacLeod
John MacLeod of MacLeod, born as John Wolrige-Gordon, was the 29th chief of Clan MacLeod. Faced with the need for expensive repairs to the clan's seat at Dunvegan Castle on the Isle of Skye, his proposed methods to raise funds caused considerable controversy...
, maternal grandson of the clan chief Dame
Dame (title)
The title of Dame is the female equivalent of the honour of knighthood in the British honours system . It is also the equivalent form address to 'Sir' for a knight...
Flora MacLeod of MacLeod
Flora MacLeod of MacLeod
Dame Flora MacLeod of MacLeod, DBE was the 28th chief of Clan MacLeod. Dunvegan Castle in Skye is the 800 year old MacLeod family seat.-Early years:...
, was challenged to quaff the horn which was filled with claret
Claret
Claret is a name primarily used in British English for red wine from the Bordeaux region of France.-Usage:Claret derives from the French clairet, a now uncommon dark rosé and the most common wine exported from Bordeaux until the 18th century...
—which he did in one minute 57 seconds.
Tradition
Bannatyne manuscript (Clan MacLeod)
The Bannatyne manuscript is a traditional account of Clan MacLeod, consisting of 142 sheets of foolscap paper. The author's name does not appear upon it, however, it is considered to have been written by William Bannatyne, Lord Bannatyne—from who it takes its name. Lord Bannatyne was the son...
, dates from about 1830 and is thought to have probably been written by Dr. William MacLeod Bannatyne
William Bannatyne, Lord Bannatyne
Sir William Macleod Bannatyne was a distinguished Scottish lawyer and judge.-Biography:The son of Mr. Roderick Macleod, writer to the signet and Isabel , daughter of Hector Bannatyne of Kames. He received a liberal education, and was admitted advocate, January 22, 1765...
. R.C. MacLeod noted that the manuscript contains a tradition concerning the origin of the horn. This tradition runs that one night, Malcolm
Malcolm MacLeod (clan chief)
Malcolm MacLeod is considered to be the third chief of Clan MacLeod. He was the son of Tormod. Malcolm and his kinsman Torquil are the first MacLeod chiefs to appear in contemporary records. Clan tradition states he was the greatest hero of the clan and links him to the origin of the clan relic...
(1296–1370), the 3rd chief of Clan Macleod, returned from a tryst
Tryst
Tryst may refer to:*A meeting of two lovers, as in courtship*Tryst , a book by Elswyth Thane*Tryst , a play by Karoline Leach*A nightclub at the Wynn Las Vegas hotel...
with the Campbell
Clan Campbell
Clan Campbell is a Highland Scottish clan. Historically one of the largest, most powerful and most successful of the Highland clans, their lands were in Argyll and the chief of the clan became the Earl and later Duke of Argyll.-Origins:...
wife of the chief of the Frasers
Clan Fraser
Clan Fraser is a Scottish clan of French origin. The Clan has been strongly associated with Inverness and the surrounding area since the Clan's founder gained lands there in the 13th century. Since its founding, the Clan has dominated local politics and been active in every major military conflict...
who possessed the lands of Glenelg. That night Malcolm encountered a bull which lived in the woods of Glenelg and which had terrorised the local inhabitants. Armed with only a dirk
Dirk
A dirk is a short thrusting dagger, sometimes a cut-down sword blade mounted on a dagger hilt rather than a knife blade. It was historically used as a personal weapon for officers engaged in naval hand-to-hand combat during the Age of Sail.-Etymology:...
, Malcolm slew the bull and broke off one of its horns. Malcolm carried off the horn to Dunvegan
Dunvegan
Dunvegan is a town on the Isle of Skye in Scotland. It is famous for Dunvegan Castle, seat of the chief of Clan MacLeod...
, as a trophy of his prowess. For this act of valour, Fraser's wife forsook her husband for Malcolm, thus starting a lengthy clan feud between the Frasers and the MacLeods. The tradition runs that ever since Malcolm's slaying the bull the horn has remained at Dunvegan; and was converted into a drinking horn, which each chief must drain to the bottom in one draught. The manuscript continues that ever since Malcolm defeated the bull, the family of MacLeod of MacLeod have used a bull's head as their heraldic crest, with the motto "hold fast".
R.C. MacLeod noted another tradition concerning a bull and motto of the clan's chiefs (though not the drinking horn). The tradition runs that one day Tormod (c
Circa
Circa , usually abbreviated c. or ca. , means "approximately" in the English language, usually referring to a date...
.1509–1584), 12th chief of Clan MacLeod was being entertained by Argyll, chief of Clan Campbell, at Inverary Castle. During his visit, the MacLeod chief learned that one of his clansmen was a convicted criminal who had condemned to be gored to death by a bull. The MacLeod chief appealed to Argyll, but the Campbell chief replied that it was too late and that nothing could save the MacLeod clansman. The MacLeod chief then sprang into the ring, armed with only his dirk, and attacked the bull. He grabbed hold of the bull's horns and cried out "hold fast!" and saved the clansman.
The Skeabost Horn, which was the trophy awarded to the champions of the Southern League in the sport of shinty
Shinty
Shinty is a team game played with sticks and a ball. Shinty is now played mainly in the Scottish Highlands, and amongst Highland migrants to the big cities of Scotland, but it was formerly more widespread, being once competitively played on a widespread basis in England and other areas in the...
is based on the horn of Rory Mor. The Horn is no longer competed for but is in the possession of Mr. Jack Asher.