Gunns are best thought of as the original, non-related inhabitants of northern, mainland Scotland. They do not have an Orkney Islands origin. Gunns should not be viewed as a Clan as they had no founding ancestor and there was never an historic 'Clan Gunn Chief.' The first Gunn known to history was Coroner Gunn of Caithness who died around 1450. His eldest son started the MacHamish Gunns of Killernan line - many descendants from that line exist all around the world. In other words, the MacHamish line is not extinct as some believe and significant detail on this MacHamish line is included in the text. For a more detailed version of Gunn history see my 'The Gunns: History, Myths and Genealogy'.