Clan Maclean Heritage Trust

On 22 November 2010 the Chief and Chairman of the Heritage Trust, Sir Lachlan Maclean, unveiled a plaque commemorating Sir Donald McLean KCMG (1820-1877) at the foot of the cairn erected in his honour in McLean Park, Napier, New Zealand. He also laid a wreath at Sir Donald's grave in Old Napier Hill Cemetery nearby.

Born in Tiree, Sir Donald emigrated first to Australia and then in 1840 to New Zealand. In the words of the National Library of New Zealand, he was arguably the most influential figure in mid-19th century New Zealand history. A fluent Maori speaker, he was a dominant figure in relations between Maori and the Government during this period. He represented Napier as Member of Parliament from 1866 until 1870 and again from 1871 until his death in 1877. From the establishment of the Land Purchase Department in 1853 until its abolition in 1865 he was the Chief Native Land Purchase Commissioner. From 1869 until 1876 he was Minister in charge of Native Affairs, as well as being Defence Minister from 1869 until 1872. McLean Park was established as a memorial to him.

Among those attending the unveiling were Ian McLean, President of the Clan Maclean Association of New Zealand, and Barbara Arnott, Mayor of Napier.

On 16 October 2010 a bronze plaque was unveiled at the grave of John Maclean in Glen Bard, Nova Scotia. John Maclean, who was born in Tiree in 1787 and came to Nova Scotia in 1819, was a renowned Gaelic poet and vigorously promoted the Gaelic language. His gravestone is engraved in Gaelic accordingly. The plaque which has now been unveiled provides an English translation. It was sponsored jointly by Clan Maclean Atlantic Canada and the Clan Maclean Heritage Trust.

The unveiling was attended by a number of the Bard's descendants, including John Sinclair, a great-great-grandson. In the absence through illness of Ian MacLean, who had led the Trust's involvement in this project, the Trust was represented by George MacLean, a Friend of the Trust and the incoming President of Clan Maclean Atlantic Canada. A full report of this event, which included a performance of some of the Bard's songs and a recitation of his poems, can be read here.

The Bard Maclean was the grandfather of Alexander Maclean Sinclair (see below), whose own grave lies next to the Bard's.