One of Scotland's oldest clans appoint new chief

One of Scotland's oldest clans have appointed a new chieftain - more than 230 years after beginning their search for the rightful heir.

The ancient Clan Gunn has appointed a new chieftain. Picture: iStock/Getty

Clan Gunn have been without a chief since the death of Morrison Gunn in 1785. He had no traceable heir.

But Iain Alexander Gunn officially became the new head of the clan at a ceremony in Edinburgh on Saturday.

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The Clan Gunn Society was set up in 1960 to promote kinship among members of the clan worldwide and to find a new chief.

William Gunn of Banniskirk was appointed commander of the clan in 1967 until the rightful chieftain could be found.





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Upon his death in 1972, the Lord Lyon King of Arms appointed Mr Gunn’s nephew Iain Alexander Gunn, of Banniskirk, near Halkirk, Highlands, as the new commander.

In 2014, a group including the arms-bearing, landowning Gunns, together with past and current presidents of the International Clan Societies, petitioned the Lord Lyon to settle the chiefship.

The Lord Lyon Dr Joseph Morrow QC approved the petition and recognised the commander as the clan’s new chieftain.

An investiture ceremony was held on Saturday to officially recognise Mr Gunn as the new chieftain.

The date marked the 900th anniversary of the death of St Magnus, from whose family Iain Gunn is descended.

The new chief said: “I am most grateful for the congratulations and messages of support from members of the clan worldwide on my recognition by the Lord Lyon King of Arms as chief of Clan Gunn.”