Clan MacLeod: Holding Fast to Our Heritage

By Heather Theoret (née MacLeod)

The MacLeod Coat of Arms

My connection to Clan MacLeod is a meaningful part of my Scottish heritage, reflecting the strength, resilience, and traditions passed down through generations. I was proud to serve on the inaugural Executive Board of the Scottish Society of Ottawa, alongside fellow MacLeod Kevin MacLeod, helping to celebrate Scottish culture and keep our traditions alive within the Ottawa community. After more than 11 years of volunteering, I stepped down from the board in 2023.

Our family's MacLeod story in Canada reaches back to 1793, when Captain Alexander MacLeod and his father, Kenneth MacLeod, helped lead Highland families from Glenelg, on Scotland's west coast near the Isle of Skye, to a new life in North America. After a difficult Atlantic crossing and a winter in Prince Edward Island, the emigrants arrived in Glengarry County, Upper Canada, in 1794. They settled near Kirk Hill, establishing roots that would endure for generations. Captain Alexander later served with the Glengarry militia during the War of 1812 and contributed to the growth of the local community.

These early settlers helped establish a lasting Highland presence in Glengarry. Their story holds particular significance for me because our family farm was located in Glen Norman, Lancaster Township, within the county. I enjoy exploring family history through Ancestry, following names and dates and discovering the stories behind them. My grandfather was Alexander; my great-grandfather, Donald Murdock; my second great-grandfather, Murdock; my third great-grandfather, Roderick Murdock; my fourth great-grandfather, Norman Alexander, who was born in Inverness; and my fifth great-grandfather, Alexander, who was born in Glenelg. Tracing these family connections makes the history of our Scottish ancestors more personal and deepens my appreciation for the lives they built in Canada.

The MacLeod tartan is an important symbol of our heritage. The distinctive yellow, black, and red colours of the MacLeod Dress, also known as the MacLeod of Lewis tartan, connect us to our clan and to the generations who have proudly carried its name. Wearing the tartan at Highland Games and other Scottish gatherings is a wonderful way to celebrate that connection and feel part of a much larger family.

Scottish traditions were also an important part of my childhood. As a young girl, I was a Highland dancer with the MacCulloch School of Highland Dance, where I had the privilege of being taught by the legendary Rae MacCulloch. Those early experiences, together with my father's pride in his heritage, gave me a lifelong appreciation for Scottish music, dance, and the discipline and spirit that underpin Scottish culture.

The Clan MacLeod motto, "Hold Fast," has special meaning in my own life. I have drawn upon those words for strength and encouragement, and have shared them with family and friends facing both everyday difficulties and major life challenges. To me, they are a reminder to persevere, stay grounded, and support one another through difficult times.

Today, members of our family join the Clan MacLeod of Glengarry in the clan parade at the Glengarry Highland Games. Seeing the clans gather in their distinctive tartans is a wonderful reminder that Scottish heritage is not simply something we look back on; it is something we continue to celebrate, share, and strengthen together.

For me, keeping Scottish heritage alive in Canada means participating in Scottish gatherings, sharing family stories, exploring our roots, and passing traditions on to the next generation. Hold Fast connects the courage of those who came before us with the strength we draw upon today in our families, friendships, and wider community.

Slàinte mhath! May we continue to celebrate our Scottish heritage, cherish the connections that unite us, and hold fast to the traditions passed down through generations. Here's to Clan MacLeod and to the enduring Scottish spirit that lives on in us all.

And now, a challenge to another clan! Which member of the Scottish Society of Ottawa will be next to share their clan’s story, traditions and connections to Scotland? I’m passing the torch to a member of Clan MacDonald—or perhaps another clan with historical ties to the MacLeods - Clan MacLean, Clan MacAuley.