Chief of Clan Shaw

Born: March 1, 1937;

Died: October 22, 2017

JOHN Shaw of Tordarroch near Inverness, who has died at his home on Mallorca aged 80, was the 22nd chief of Clan Shaw, one of the Highland families who formed the historic Chattan Confederation of clans.

The Shaws fought for Robert Bruce at Bannockburn in 1314 and supported the 18th century Jacobite rebellions. Mr Shaw was a descendant of Clan Shaw's progenitor, Shaw MacDuff, son of the Duncan the Thane (Earl) of Fife and keeper of Inverness Castle under Scottish King Malcolm 1V.

As clan chief, Mr Shaw was revered by history-loving Shaws around the world, especially in the US where Americans of Scots origin cling to their family histories far more than most of us here at home do. Mr Shaw regularly attended clan gatherings around the world, mostly in the US where the clan's motto – Fide et fortitudine (By fidelity and fortitude) – would be displayed and where some who had a few wee drams would yell the clan's historic war cry Na Bean Ris A Chat! (Touch not the cat!).

Although he retired to Mallorca, Mr Shaw's Scottish home was in Balblair, Dingwall, Ross-shire, the traditional family seat, Tordarroch Castle seven miles south of Inverness, having been reduced to ruins. Centuries earlier, Clan Shaw had owned the now-famous Loch an Eilein castle at Rothiemurchus near Aviemore, which is now a popular tourist site.

Mr Shaw's only son Iain Shaw, 49, who also lives on Mallorca, now takes over the clan as 23rd chief of Tordarroch.

John Shaw was born on March 1, 1937 to Major Charles John Shaw, 21st chief of Tordarroch, and his wife Lillian (née Elford). He was educated at Eton before graduating from Magdalene College, Cambridge, first with a BA, later adding an MA. Following family tradition, he also served as a reservist with the Seaforth Highlanders and in 1980 was admitted to the Royal Company of Archers, a ceremonial unit which serves as the British monarch's bodyguard in Scotland.

Over the years, Clan Shaw, through inter-marriage, became closely associated with other clans, notably Clan Donald, Clan Mackintosh and Clan Ay while remaining continuously at war for years against the neighbouring Clan Comyn (anglicised as Clan Cumming). In addition to supporting Robert the Bruce at Bannockburn, the Shaws took part in the Scottish invasions of England in 1318 and 1319 as part of the wars of Scottish independence.

John Shaw of Tordarroch is survived by his wife of 57 years, Silvia (née Jones), a minister's daughter, as well as his son Iain, daughters Rebecca, Julia and Fiona and 12 grandchildren.

PHIL DAVISON