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          Glenbarr Abbey was formally presented to Clan Macalister in September, 1984 by its owner and present occupant, Angus C. Macalister, 5th Laird of Glenbarr as the Clan Centre. This marvelous Gothic structure is located on the west coast of the Kintyre peninsula, south of Tarbert in Scotland.  Few other clans are fortunate enough to have clan centres and it is hoped that all clan members will visit Glenbarr Abbey. The centre is open from April through October.

          The ancestor to this earliest offshoot from the great Clan Donald was Alister (or Alexander), eldest son of Angus, Lord of the Isles and Kintyre. Through joining the MacDougals against Robert Bruce, Alister forfeited his succession to that lordship. His descendants, inhabiting a tract of Knapdale and North Kintyre grew strong enough to extend into Arran and Bute. They became an independent clan when the Lords of the Isles were suppressed in 1493. Their first Knapdale stronghold of Castle Sweyn was assaulted by Robert Bruce, whereafter the chief's seat became Ardpatrick, and finally Loup in Kintyre. Though having lost much of its strength and territory to the Campbells, as did many other clans in that preiod, the clan appeared in the royalist ranks with Montrose, and again at Killiecrankie.

          The Center can be reached by car from Glasgow via the A82 to Tarbet on Loch Lomond, then via A83 to the west side of Kintyre, an exquisitely beautiful peninsula on the west coast of Scotland. Please do not hesitate to call or write for more information and reservations. See their website for more information.

Macalister Clan Visitor Centre
Glenbarr by Tarbert,
Argyll PA29 6UT
Tel: 01583 421247