Sir Lachlan and Lady Rosemary MacLean Adopt Cabbage Patch Kid During Visit To United States

CLEVELAND, Ga. – Waiting to retake his "passport picture" and paperwork to clear in the United States, Cabbage Patch Kid Baby Lachlan Hector finally joined his parents at Duart Castle on the Isle of Mull in Scotland.

Sir Lachlan MacLean of Duart and Morvern, Bt., CVO, DL., Duart Castle, of the Isle of Mull, Scotland, and Lady Rosemary, raised their right hand, took the Oath of Adoption for Cabbage Patch Kid Baby Lachlan Hector, following the surprise presentation to the guests of honor of the Rural Hills Scottish Festival and Loch Norman Highland Games, this spring in Rural Hills, NC.

Showing quick wit and sense of humor, a trait shared by many MacLeans, Sir Lachlan said that he would now have to add another room to Duart Castle, which celebrates its 100 year restoration with a Gathering in 2012.

Mindful of Old World traditions and the artistic craftsmanship of Cabbage Patch Kid roots, President Bob McLean of Clan Gillean USA began working with Neil McLean, a native of Scotland,  and wife Margaret of Cabbage Patch Kids, to create a memorable gift for their Chief and his bride of seven months, during their visit to the United States.

Turning the challenge into fun, the McLeans quickly involved family and friends across state lines. They set the wheels in motion for an exquisite, one of a kind work of art worthy of a home in Duart Castle. Vice President of Clan Gillean USA, Rev. Fr. Patrick MacLean was coordinating reception plans, hotels and logistics, while trying to get hair color and eye colors for

Baby Lachlan.

Baby Lachlan learning about his new Scottish Heritage, took part in the Parade of Tartans the following day and greeted people at the festival eager to learn about Scottish Heritage and possible ties to the MacLean family. He learned that his adoptive dad ascended to the title of 28th Chief of lan Maclean, 12th Baronet of Duart and Movern in 1990, Sir Lachlan’s direct lineage to Maclean Chiefs can be traced to c.1050.

Clan (family) Maclean takes its name from Gilleain na Tuaighe, the first chief. Gilleain literally translated means the Servant of {St.} John. Maclean means “Son of Gillean. Just a few related family surnames include Beatty, Black, Cormick, Dewart,  Garvey, Gillean, Harvey, Huey, Layne, Lean, Patton, Rankin, often preceded by Mc or Mac, “meaning son of”. A list of almost 150 names is on www.clangilleanusa.org.

The winds of fate were strong during the whirlwind visit of Sir Lachlan and Lady MacLean. Baby Lachlan, who initially had three feathers in his hat, returned to his room and discovered his feathers taken away. It is the tradition that only the Chief may wear three feathers.

Baby Lachlan has so much to learn about his new home in Scotland and family. He will learn much from Sir Lachlan’s three children and Lady Rosemary’s three children and three times as many grandchildren to add fun and laughter everywhere.

Already connected to a Cabbage Patch Kid family of 123 million, Baby MacLean looks forward his home with his adoptive parents at their reside



nce at Duart Castle with walls dating back to the 13th century. This historic castle, ancestral home of the MacLeans, will hold a Centenary Celebration of its restoration in 2012 extending a welcome to family and friends worldwide. http://www.maclean.org/maclean-associations/cma-scotland/cmas/clan-maclean-mull-2012.php.

Baby Lachlan’s new Scottish Family is invited to visit site where Baby Lachlan was delivered. BabyLand General Hospital is home of the world-famous Cabbage Patch Kids, Cleveland, Ga.