History of the Clan MacLean from its first settlement at Duard Castle, in the Isle of Mull, to the present period

Marks of Distinction.
345
are red and the cross blue. The supports are ostriches. Above the shield
is a helmet, over which is a tower. Below all is the motto, " Virtue mine
honor." Just where ostriches come in to adorn the coat-of-arms of a sept
of a Highland clan, is a mystery too great
to be fathomed. _ ..„.„
The MacLeans of Pennycross have the
lion rampant, the birlinn, and the salmon
resting against a field of silver. The cross
and hand against gold, and the triple tower
against a field of red. Above the shield
is a helmet, over which is the battle-ax
crossed by a branch of laurel and cypress.
Beneath is the motto, " Virtue mine honor."
Above the crest, "Altera Merces."
The MacLeans of Coll in the armorial have the extended arm and the bir-
linn resting upon a background of silver ; the eagle heads and rock resting
upon gold, and jthe salmon on blue. The crest rests upon the shield, over
which is a scroll with the words,
^r^f'-V^ "Altera Merces." Under the shield is
^a-C.-^:,rut^ O^ Bj-L-o-^^:l.4^ ,
MacLean of Pennycross.
MacLban of Coll.
■ a scroll with the words, " Virtus durissima Terit." The supporters consist of
a hound and an ostrich.
* The badge of all the MacLeans, save MacLean of Lochbuie, is the Holly.
The war-cry or slogan of all is, " Bas na Beatha," Death or Life, and the
march, " Caismcachd Eachuin mhic Aluin an Sop," The Warning of Hector,