Northeast Florida Scottish Games & Festival
Florida Scottish Highland Games
Clan MacCallum
History of Clan MacCallum-Malcolm
The names MacCallum and Malcolm derive from the Gaelic name of Saint Columba, of the Celtic Church, who brought Christianity to Scotland in 563 A.D. The Gaelic names for Saint Columba are Colm or Callum (Chaluim). Maol Colm is an ancient form of Malcolm.
Maol means “shaven head”, i.e. a monk. Mac means “son of” Colm or Callum. Both names mean “servants” or “devotees” of Saint Columba.
Ian Gimble, in his book Scottish Clans and Tartans indicates that the MacCallums originated in the district of Lorne in Argyll in what was the ancient kingdom of Dalriada settled by the first Scots from Ireland. He makes mention that, ‘the Campbells moved into the Lorne district in about the 1300-1400s --- for so long settled by the MacCallums”.
The earliest reference to the MacCallums was in 1414 when Sir Duncan Campbell of Lochow granted lands in Craignish and on the banks of Loch Avich to Reginald MacCallum of Corbarron. The MacCallums now established lands and a chief.
In 1510 Maol Caluim, a devotee of St Columba, had a grant of lands of Poltalloch, immediately northeast from the lands of Craignish Castle, and was succeeded by his son Gillespic, (Archibald in Scot). Donald, son of Gillespic was granted title to the property of Poltalloch by Duncan Campbell of Duntrune in 1562 thus making him their first Laird. This charter named Donald M’gillespie vich O’Challum – in Gaelic this reads: ‘Domhnall mac Gilleasbuig Mhic Ui Chaluim’ – Donald, son of Gillespie, son of the grandchildren of Callum. This pedigree is that of the oldest stock, using the archaic form for a grandson of Callum. Donald went on to have two sons. His son, John, was the first to bear the surname MacCallum.
In 1779 Dugald MacCallum of Poltalloch became the Chief and Laird of the Poltalloch lands. He changed the family name to Malcolm and since that time the descendants have continued to use that name.
In 1792 the Malcolms purchased Duntroon Castle. It had been a Campbell stronghold that had been given to Duncan Campbell as a royal charter by Robert the Bruce in recognition and gratitude to Duncan’s father who had been a supporter of “The Bruce”.
Neil Malcolm, 13th Laird, built Poltalloch House overlooking Loch Crinan around 1850. It was abandoned in 1959. The ruins of the grand Victorian mansion still stand in broad parkland.
John Malcolm, 14th Laird, was a distinguished collector of many old things including prints and drawings which are found in the Malcolm Collection in the British Museum. He is listed as one of the principle benefactors of the museum.
John Wingfield Malcolm, 15th Laird, was created Lord Malcolm of Poltalloch in 1896, having distinguished himself as M.P. for Argyll. He was succeeded by his brother Edward who is credited with founding the breed of the White Highland Terrier. His son, Sir Ian Malcolm KCMG, was one of the directors of the Suez Canal Company. Ian’s son, Lt. Col. George Ian Malcolm, was founder of the now famous Edinburgh Tattoo.
Robin Neill Lochnell Malcolm, the 19th Laird of Poltalloch, is the present chief of the Clan. He resides in Duntrune Castle near Lochgilphead in Argyllshire, Scotland.
The Clan MacCallum/Malcolm Society in North America was founded in 1971 by the late Andrew B. MacCallum (USAF retired) with the encouragement of our late Chief Lt. Col. George Ian Malcolm, father of our present Chief.
(Taken from "A Brief history of Clan MacCallum/Malcolm" revised 2006)
At Saint Columba's Church, Poltalloch, Argyllshire, Scotland
Clan President Lon (left), wife Marian (right), son Lon E (back), Chief Robin Malcolm and wife Trish (center)
Lon McCollum, President
Clan MacCallum-Malcolm Society of North America, Inc
Clan MacCallum-Malcolm president Lon McCollum, is a retired public school superintendent who lives in Williamston, Michigan. In the early 1970s he became aware that there was a MacCallum/Malcolm Clan Society when he and his family visited the Scottish games in Alma, Michigan. Son Thad, who was then eight, discovered the MacCallum/Malcolm Clan tent. Thad’s interest in the Clan and things Scottish led to joining the Clan Society.
Clan involvement has been and continues to be a family venture with support from wife Marian, who is a Swede/Dane and reminds us that the Vikings had a profound influence over the Scots, and sons, Lon E, an international schools teacher in Poland, Thad, an immigration attorney in the Detroit area, and Matt, a wildlife biologist in Colorado. This involvement led to hosting the Clan tents at the Alma Scottish Festival and the St Andrews Society of Detroit Games. Lon became Midwest commissioner for the Clan Society and then moved through the chairs of vice-president, then on to president.
A major personal benefit of Clan involvement as president is to have travelled around the U.S. and to Scotland to represent the Clan and to have met many people from around the world who are very proud of their Scottish heritage and express it through their dedication and contributions in time and talents to the Clan Society. It would take volumes to mention each person by name, but of special mention is the late Joseph Kinloch McCollum, Jr. and his wife Marilyn. Kinloch Jr, like his father J Kinloch Sr, was a staunchly loyal supporter of the Clan. He served as Clan secretary/treasurer and convener of Clan tents at Scottish Games in Florida. His service to the Clan was exemplary.
Duntrune Castle, Argyllshire, Scotland
