Story Behind The Name
Torquil McLeod of Lewis was South African founder and managing partner, Greg Castle's ancient Scottish ancestor dating back to the early 13th century. As chief of the Scottish clan McLeod of Lewis, Torquil was a renowned and revered strategic warlord. Many of the battles were fought amongst the clans; the ill-fated attack by the MacDonalds being one of the more famous clan battles in Scottish history.
His offspring continued to employ Torquil's strategic approach to battle throughout history including the battle for Lordship of the Isles against King James VI at the Battle of Harlow; as political allies and escort to Bonny Prince Charlie as he evaded capture after the battle of Culloden; even leading battles on the side of the Napoleon lead French army against the English, amongst others.
Business, like chess, is often linked to strategic warfare against competitors/'foes', and has been studied along the lines of battle strategies and tactics for centuries.
There are many books to that effect; e.g. A. Ries & J. Trout, 'Marketing Warfare', Mcgraw-Hill, 1986; Barrie. G. James, 'Business Wargames', Penguin, 1985, to name a few. Perhaps the greatest book on marketing was written by a retired Prussian general, Karl von Clausewitz, entitled 'On War'. The 1832 book focuses on the strategic principles behind all successful wars, and is still relevant today, it's only the 'arms and amunition' that have changed over time.
Hence the relevant connection to this violent yet strategically astute ancestry; and perhaps the very reason why the McLeod clan is the only one to have survived in its original Scottish chiefdom for more than 800 years to this day.
Something Greg hopes to help his clients to emulate, in a somewhat more subdued manner of course!
The Crest of Clan MacLeod of Lewis
"I burn but am not consumed"