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History of Clan MacFarlane Vol. II - manuscript, James MacFarlane,
Chapter 44 (manuscript kept at Helensburgh Public Library).
These
chronicles also show that while the existing charters of the Chiefs of
MacFarlane invariably give the southern boundary of
Arrochar-MacGilchrist as being the Nether Dhuglas valley (which includes
Tullichentall at its western end,) all the lands to the south of this
glen by Lochlongside, from Gortane (below Tullichentall), as far as
Garelochhead, namely Finart, Portincaple and Feorlinbreck, (the first
part of the last, perhaps a variant of Farlan) were in MacFarlane
possession.
Feorlinbreck and Finart would seem to have been
disposed of before 1490 as it is stated that, in that year, these
estates were the subject of litigation between Walter Buchanan, 14th of
that Ilk and William Douglas of Lethcamarach.
Douglas
apparently also
acquired Portincaple as in 1502, all these properties were sold by him to
Sir John Colquhoun 11th of Luss.
In 1679 Frances, Duchess of
Lennox, invested Sir James Colquhoun in certain lands which included
Finart.
In 1724 Alexander Graham of Duchray writes"near the head of
this parish (Luss) are the houses of Dugal MacFarlan of Tullich and John
MacFarlan of Finart. (from Walter MacFarlane (20th Chief) in his
Geographical Collections.)
In regard to William Graham's mention
of "John MacFarlan of Finart," in 1724 we are assuming this
representitive to be "of Finart and Gorton"; this family being sometimes
so described.
The lands of Finnart and Portincaple were the property of the
Galbraiths in the thirteenth century, and at the close of the fourteenth
they belonged to the Macfarlanes of Arrochar. In 1490 the lands of
Finnart and Feorlinbreck were the subject of litigation between Walter
Buchanan of that Ilk and William Douglas of Lethcamrach. In 1502 these
lands, including Portincaple, were sold by William Douglas of
Ledcameroch to Sir John Colquhoun of Luss. Afterwards the lands of
Portincaple and Feorlinbreck were feued by Sir Humphrey Colquhoun of
Luss to John Glen, in 1692, and from his daughter these lands were
purchased, in 1780, by James Colquhoun, younger of Luss.
That dense historical record can be distilled into a fascinating narrative about **land, loyalty, and litigation** along the shores of **Loch Long**.
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## 🏰 The Story of Finart, Portincaple, and Feorlinbreck
For centuries, the powerful **MacFarlane Chiefs of Arrochar** held vast lands. While their official southern border was set by the charters at the **Nether Dhuglas valley**—including the estate of **Tullichentall**—the MacFarlanes’ reach extended further south, controlling the critical stretch of waterfront all the way to Garelochhead. This included the prized properties of **Gortane**, **Finart**, **Portincaple**, and **Feorlinbreck**. Before the MacFarlanes, the lands of Finart and Portincaple had been in the hands of the **Galbraiths** back in the thirteenth century, showcasing just how often ownership changed hands in this strategic region.
### The Loss of the Coastline
As the 15th century drew to a close, a significant shift occurred. The MacFarlanes either lost control of, or disposed of, the valuable coastal estates of **Finart** and **Feorlinbreck**. In a clear sign of the lands’ disputed status, by **1490**, these two estates became the center of a major **legal fight**. The battle was waged between **Walter Buchanan**, the 14th Chief of his name, and **William Douglas of Lethcamarach**.
Douglas was clearly successful in his endeavors, not only acquiring the disputed properties but also adding **Portincaple** to his holdings shortly thereafter.
### The Colquhoun Ascendancy
Douglas’s victory was short-lived. In **1502**, he sold the entirety of the consolidated properties—**Finart, Feorlinbreck, and Portincaple**—to the growing power in the region: **Sir John Colquhoun, the 11th of Luss**.
This sale cemented the Colquhoun family’s position, bringing these estates firmly under their domain. They were occasionally confirmed in their possession, such as when **Frances, Duchess of Lennox**, invested Sir James Colquhoun with Finart in 1679.
### Echoes of the Past
Even after the main properties passed out of MacFarlane hands, the old family ties remained. In **1724**, a writer noted the proximity of the estates of two MacFarlanes: the chief line at **Tullich** and a specific **John MacFarlan living at Finart**. This John was likely part of a minor branch, sometimes referred to as the family **“of Finart and Gorton,”** suggesting that while the MacFarlanes no longer owned the land, they continued to live and hold an influence in the area.
Meanwhile, the Colquhouns managed their vast properties through feuing. In **1692**, **Sir Humphrey Colquhoun of Luss** leased out **Portincaple and Feorlinbreck** to **John Glen**. The land returned fully to the main Colquhoun family line nearly a century later, in **1780**, when **James Colquhoun, younger of Luss**, purchased the feued lands back from Glen’s daughter.
Ultimately, this historical record tells a story of the **MacFarlanes** losing their hold on strategic southern territories, followed by a brief period of **Buchanan and Douglas** maneuvering, before the powerful **Colquhouns of Luss** consolidated and retained ownership for centuries.
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Would you be interested in exploring the historical significance of any of these families, such as the rivalry between the MacFarlanes and the Colquhouns?
See
also:
• Glenfinart House
•
Galbraith properties
Not to be
confused with Finnart, Renfrewshire
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