2025, Grandfather Mountain, North Carolina, USA
The joy of Donald’s son, Florian, at the Grandfather Mountain Highland Games
— with
Florian MacLaren
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It is still hard to believe, I still see that vibrant smiling person in my mind. He was a wonderful person and a wonderful clan chief.
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My condolences to Maida and the family. It has been 38 years of moments seeing you both. What I remember most was laughing at his story at the 2012 AGM Banquet during the NH Highland Games. He always had cordial greetings anytime we were at a gathering. The best moment was during the NYC Tartan Day Parade when the MC on top of the double decker bus announced Clan MacLaren and then started talking about Rob Roy McGregor. Donald did an about face and went to that bus to correct the MC. Donald greeted many of the Clans and groups that were attending the parade. I have so many fond memories that I will always carry with me. Thank you for being our foundation, strength, and grace. Sending love and prayers for the family.
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Donald was a great help in working with me to produce the new information panels in Balquhidder Church's Friendship Room. His passion for his clan and for the church's history, and his knowledge of the area were all vital to getting the work done. It was a lengthy process! But ultimately very enjoyable. Thank you Donald. Rest in peace.
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Dear Maida and Family, Tom and I are so saddened to hear of Donald's untimely passing. We hope that time and Love will ease your grief. He was a great Clan Leader and did so much to promote our Clan, not only in Scotland, but North America as well. We are very pleased and proud to have met both of you on several occasions during the Highland Games in America. A donation to the Balquhidder Kirk has been made in Donald's memory.
Yours, Aye,
Robin and Tom McLaren
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With the deepest of sorrow for a gentlemen’s and wonderful leader. We can take solace in the fact that he was at home and surrounded by what he loved. I will miss seeing him and having a wee dram. Deepest condolences to his family and clan. Big shoes are left to fill.
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2018
In a long planned trip, my 2 sons and I went to Scotland to visit “the Fatherland”. We spent most of a day with Donald, who was the supreme host and Scottish history storyteller. We had coffees in his backyard at Balqhuidder, and then the 4 of us climbed the one mile trail to “The Rock”. My sons who are both quite athletic admitted afterwards that the pace Donald set was demanding, and that they were glad when I asked for a breather halfway up. Donald merely took the lead in his kilts, and strode athletically up the mountain with his hands clasped behind his back. He took our pictures around the Rock and down the gorgeous lake through the valley where our ancestors lived for 1800 years. A magnificent view. He then joined us for lunch at a local restaurant again telling us many stories about himself, his parents and family, as well as about the clan history in the valley. It’s also interesting to note, that I had first met Donald in 1972 when I was a medical intern in Columbus Ohio. He was on his initial tour of the US in his first year as clan Chieftain. He had visited my Dad in Cleveland Ohio, and came to our apartment for a short visit. The highlight of which was his playing the pipes in the hallway of our “garden level” (basement) apartment which brought out the entire building who cheered when he was finished. Truly our leader for all those years
Dr John MacLaurin
Hilton Head SC USA.
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1989, Balquhidder, Lochearnhead, UK
Chief Donald at my son, Conor's, christening at the Balquhidder Kirk.
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It is very late but with sincere pain that I learn of the disappearance of our Chief.
At this difficult time, my thoughts are naturally with him, his family and his successor, his son, who now has the heavy responsibility of preserving the MacLaren legacy and leading us.
I therefore present to our new Chief, to the wife of our former Chief, to his close family, to the members of the Council and to all the members and friends of the CMS, my sincere condolences and assure them all of my prayers.
Creag an Tuirc
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2019, Wuppertal, Deutschland
During the award ceremony for the PipeCompetition
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2019, Wuppertal, Deutschland
Full in action when cheering
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2019, Wuppertal, Deutschland
Demonstration of the corect handling of the tug-o-war
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2016, Wuppertal, Deutschland
Clanchief, Chairmen and wifes
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2016, Wuppertal, Deutschland
Clan Calling at the Scottish Days in Wuppertal with Ralf Berger (Chairman) Jürgen Teichert (vice Chairman) and Donald MacLaren
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2019, Wuppertal, Deutschland
Donald together with the Friends of Clan MacLaren Germany
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Very saddened to hear of Donald’s untimely death. He was the epitome of a true gentleman. I had the pleasure of getting to know Donald, Maida & the family when we lived in Caracas and we shared many happy times together. Deepest condolences.
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J'ai connu Donald, avec mes amis lors de notre séjour à Balquiddher, 4 jours en juillet dernier.
Nous avons été conquis par Donald, sa sympathie, son humour et son élégance.
Il nous a consacré chaque jour un peu de temps et avons échangé sur tout et rien, sur Balquiddher et le Clan, l'Ecosse ou la situation internationale.
Admiratifs de sa culture comme de sa sympathie, l'annonce de la disparition soudaine de Chief Mac Laren quelques jours après notre départ nous a particulièrement touchés.
Nous présentons nos plus sincères condoléances à son épouse, ses enfants et ses proches.
Longue vie au Clan Mac Laren.
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My deepest condolences to the chiefs family, I respected him deeply as he was a very kind and wise man. He was incredibly well-versed in this history of Scotland and clan MacLaren and taught me so much every time we spoke. I am grateful I was able to see him earlier this year at the NYC tartan day parade. This is truly a great loss for our clan.
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Très choqués par l'annonce du décès de Donald Mac Laren que nous avons eu le plaisir de rencontrer lors de notre séjour récent à Balquhidder,nous présentons à la famille nos très sincères condoléances.
De la part du groupe de français qui ont logé à the barn du 13 au 17 juillet
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