Mackintosh of Borlum

Mackintosh of Borlum refers to a cadet branch of Clan Mackintosh, a Highland Scottish clan, rather than to a contemporary commercial brand. The branch was established by William Mackintosh, a younger son of Lachlan Mor Mackintosh, the sixteenth chief of Clan Mackintosh, who died in 1606. William became the first Mackintosh of Borlum and died in 1630. The designation thereafter identified a line of the Mackintosh family associated with the lands and barony of Borlum in Inverness-shire. The branch's early history was shaped by the political and military conflicts of seventeenth-century Scotland. Lachlan Mackintosh, the second of Borlum, supported the royalist cause during the wars involving James Graham, 1st Marquess of Montrose. His political alignment brought a substantial fine from the Committee of Process and Moneys. He later received a sasine connected with lands at Ballidmor and other rights after payment to the Marquess of Huntly. William Mackintosh, the third of Borlum, consolidated the family's territorial position by purchasing the feu right of the barony of Borlum from Sir Hew Campbell of Calder and granting a wadset over Benchar to Cluny Macpherson. The best-known member of the line was William Mackintosh, the fourth of Borlum, generally called Mackintosh of Borlum. Born in 1658, he became a brigadier and a prominent Jacobite military leader. During the Jacobite rising of 1715, the Earl of Mar detached approximately 2,000 Highlanders under his command from the main Jacobite army. Mackintosh led the force into Fife, crossed the Firth of Forth in fishing boats, and briefly occupied Leith. His advance came close to Edinburgh before he joined English and Lowland Jacobite forces at Kelso. The combined force marched south and was defeated and captured at the Battle of Preston. Mackintosh of Borlum was charged with treason after the defeat, but escaped from Newgate Prison with seven other prisoners on the eve of his scheduled trial. He later fought for the Jacobite cause at the Battle of Glen Shiel in 1719. His reputation as an energetic and capable commander has led some historians, including John Prebble, to argue that he may have been a more suitable operational leader for the 1715 rising than the Earl of Mar. The later succession illustrates the dispersal of the family. Mackintosh's sons Lachlan and Shaw emigrated to the Colony of Georgia with the Highland Rangers, a British Army regiment recruited by James Oglethorpe, and both served in the War of Jenkins' Ear. Lachlan, the fifth of Borlum, later went to New England and died there. His brother Shaw, the sixth of Borlum, sold Borlum to his cousin William, the son of John Mackintosh of Lynvulig and a baillie of Inverness. Shaw's son Edward subsequently became associated with lawlessness on the Great Highland road, fled Scotland after a warrant was issued for his arrest, and entered French military service. The family's history is also commemorated in the traditional bagpipe tune "Mackintosh of Borlum's Salute."

The Mackintoshes of Borlum formed a cadet branch of Clan Mackintosh in the Scottish Highlands. The line began with William Mackintosh, a younger son of Lachlan Mor Mackintosh, sixteenth of Mackintosh, who died in 1606. William became the first of Borlum and died in 1630 at the age of 63. His descendants retained the Borlum designation through a succession of lairds and family members whose activities reflected the political, military, and territorial history of the Highlands. Lachlan Mackintosh, second of Borlum, supported the royalist side during the conflicts associated with James Graham, Marquess of Montrose. As a consequence, the Committee of Process and Moneys fined him £666. He later obtained a sasine for the town and lands of Ballidmor and related dues after paying 6,000 merks to the Marquess of Huntly. His sons included John of Lynvulig, Harrie, and Alexander; the latter two became bailies of Inverness. William Mackintosh, third of Borlum, strengthened the family's landholding position. He bought the feu right of the barony of Borlum from Sir Hew Campbell of Calder and wadsetted Benchar to Cluny Macpherson. His children included William, Lachlan, John, Duncan, Joseph, Lydia, and Janet. John and Duncan later served as a major and captain respectively in Mackintosh's Regiment during the Jacobite rising of 1715. William, third of Borlum, died in 1716 and was succeeded by his eldest son. William Mackintosh, fourth of Borlum, was the most prominent member of the branch. Born in 1658, he became known as Brigadier William Mackintosh and emerged as one of the most active Jacobite commanders of the 1715 rising. The Earl of Mar assigned him approximately 2,000 Highlanders for an expedition away from the main Jacobite army. Mackintosh moved into Fife and crossed the Firth of Forth using fishing boats. His force briefly held Leith and approached Edinburgh, before joining English and Lowland Jacobites at Kelso. The combined army proceeded south to Preston, where it was defeated and captured. Charged with treason after Preston, Mackintosh escaped Newgate Prison with seven companions on the night before his trial. He remained involved in the Jacobite cause and fought at Glen Shiel in 1719. Historical assessments have emphasized his initiative and tactical ability; John Prebble notably suggested that Mackintosh might have been better suited than the Earl of Mar to lead the 1715 rising. Mackintosh of Borlum's family connections extended beyond Scotland. His sons Lachlan and Shaw emigrated to Georgia with the Highland Rangers, a British Army regiment recruited by James Oglethorpe, and participated in the War of Jenkins' Ear. Lachlan, fifth of Borlum, later moved to New England, where he died. Shaw, sixth of Borlum, sold Borlum to his cousin William, son of John Mackintosh of Lynvulig. Shaw's son Edward later fled Scotland after a warrant was issued for his arrest and entered French military service. The historical name also survives in the bagpipe repertory through "Mackintosh of Borlum's Salute."

• 1719

  Battle of Glen Shiel

  [1]Mackintosh of Borlumen.wikipedia.org

  Mackintosh of Borlum fought for the Jacobites at Glen Shiel.

• 1715

  William Mackintosh leads a Jacobite expedition

  [1]Mackintosh of Borlumen.wikipedia.org

  Brigadier William Mackintosh, 4th of Borlum, led about 2,000 Highlanders into Fife, occupied Leith briefly, and advanced toward Edinburgh during the Jacobite rising.

• 1715

  Defeat and capture at Preston

  [1]Mackintosh of Borlumen.wikipedia.org

  After joining English and Lowland Jacobites at Kelso, Mackintosh's force marched south and was captured following the Battle of Preston.

• 1630

  Death of William Mackintosh, 1st of Borlum

  [1]Mackintosh of Borlumen.wikipedia.org

  The founder of the branch died at the age of 63 and was succeeded by his son Lachlan.

• 1606

  Branch established after the death of Lachlan Mor Mackintosh

  [1]Mackintosh of Borlumen.wikipedia.org

  William Mackintosh, a younger son of Lachlan Mor Mackintosh, became the first of the Borlum branch of Clan Mackintosh.

A historical Highland Scottish clan branch and territorial designation, remembered primarily for its genealogy, connection with Borlum, and the Jacobite military career of William Mackintosh, 4th of Borlum.

1. 1Mackintosh of Borlumen.wikipedia.org