Scottish Clans
Farquharson Tartans & Clan
Farquharsons trace their origin back to Farqhuar, the fourth son of Alexander Cier Shaw who owned land included the Braes of Mar near the source of the river Dee in Aberdeenshire.
Who Wears Farquharson Tartan? - Associated Names
First of all to explain why there are so many tartans, way over 2000 in fact. There are an awful lot of Scottish clans to start with and on top of this each clan can have many different tartans and names associated with it.
- Barrie
- Bowman
- Brebner
- Bremner
- Bryant
- Carracher
- Christie
- Christison
- Christy
- Coates
- Coats
- Coutts
- Cromar
- Farquhar
- Ferries
- Findlay
- Findlayson
- Findlaison
- Findley
- Finlay
- Findlay
- Finlayson
- Finley
- Gracie
- Grassick
- Greusach
- Hardie
- Hardy
- Herald
- Higgins
- Higginson
- Kellas
- Kerracher
- Leys
- Lion
- Lions
- Lyon
- Lyons
- MacArtney
- MacGaig
- MacCartney
- MacCraig
- MacCuaig
- MacEaracher
- MacErcher
- MacErracher
- MacFarquhar
- MacFerchar
- MacHardie
- MacHardy
- MacKerchar
- MacKerracher
- MacKindlay
- MacKinlay
- MacKinley
- MacWade
- McKinley
- Paterson
- Patterson
- Pattison
- Reaich
- Reoch
- Riach
- Souders
- Soutter
- Tawse
- Tay
- Wade
- Wood
Farquharson Tartans
4 variationsEach tartan can have multiple variations, the most common of which are Ancient, Modern, Weathered, Hunting and Dress
About tartan variations
- Ancient
- Modern
- Weathered
- Hunting
- One thing to remember if you are ordering your tartan to match an existing kilt or accessory is that although the sett and colours are the same, there can be a slight difference in colour from one mill to the next. This is purely down to yarn dying so if
Ancient Tartan
Before 1860 fabrics were coloured using animal and vegetable dyes. This produced the softer colours typical of the Ancient tartans, mossy greens and sky blues, a more orangey red and some would say showing off the pattern to much greater effect as as the contrasts are much brighter than the Modern tartans. The pattern or sett remains the same across all variations of a single tartan, and only the shades or tones vary.
Helpful Advice
Post 1860 chemical dyes replaced the natural animal and vegetable dyes and the Modern Tartans were born with their stronger and bolder colours. The soft greens and blues become bottle green and navy blue, reds are scarlet.
Modern Tartan
Before 1860 fabrics were coloured using animal and vegetable dyes. This produced the softer colours typical of the Ancient tartans. Post 1860 chemical dyes replaced the natural animal and vegetable dyes and the Modern Tartans were born with their stronger and bolder colours. The soft greens and blues become bottle green and navy blue, reds are scarlet.
Helpful Advice
The Modern tartans are often the more subtle combinations such as the classic Black Watch Modern
Weathered Tartan
Before 1860 fabrics were coloured using animal and vegetable dyes. This produced the softer, more earthy colours typical of the Weathered tartans, reminiscent of bolder colours subjected to wind, rain and sunshine producing beautiful faded tones, olive greens and browns, and very light blues with reds that are more pink than red.
Helpful Advice
Some mills refer to the Weathered tartans as Muted.
Hunting Tartan
The Hunting Tartans are the camouflage tartans and some clans don't have these variations because they are already predominantly green or brown and don't need amendment to blend in with nature's colours. The Black Watch or Gunn tartans are examples of these, whereas a tartan such as the Fraser is predominantly red and would not provide much cover for men out hunting.
Helpful Advice
One thing to remember if you are ordering your tartan to match an existing kilt or accessory is that although the sett and colours are the same, there can be a slight difference in colour from one mill to the next. This is purely down to yarn dying so if you need an exact match we suggest you order a swatch to double check.
One thing to remember if you are ordering your tartan to match an existing kilt or accessory is that although the sett and colours are the same, there can be a slight difference in colour from one mill to the next. This is purely down to yarn dying so if Tartan
The Dress Tartans were designed as the name suggests for celebrations and highland dance. The sett or pattern of the tartan remains the same and the main colour is changed to white, or extra white is added to the pattern to give it a brighter, more "fancy" appearance. The Scots do like to bend the rules and occasionally instead of white thread, yellow is used and this is where the rather wild MacLeod Dress Modern and Barclay Dress Modern came from.
Helpful Advice
One thing to remember if you are ordering your tartan to match an existing kilt or accessory is that although the sett and colours are the same, there can be a slight difference in colour from one mill to the next. This is purely down to yarn dying so if you need an exact match we suggest you order a swatch to double check.
From the start
Farquharson Clan Origins & History
Explore the history of Clan Farquharson
How it all started
Territories
Clan Farquharson holds many castles in Invercauld and Aberdeenshire, among them is Braemar Castle where the famous Highland gathering takes place.
Clan Chief
After the passing of Captain Alwyne Farquharson of Invercauld in 2021, his Great Nephew, Philip Farquharson 17th of Invercauld succeeds as Clan Chief. He also succeeded him as Chieftain of the Ballater Highland Games. Captain Alwyne lived to the great age of 102, receiving a personal letter from His Royal Highness Prince Charles, Dule of Rothesay on his 100th birthday. He was even awarded the Military Cross for bravery while serving with the Royal Scots Greys in 1944, and was well known for his devoted service as Chieftain of the Ballatur Highland Games and Vice Patron of the Braemar Highland Gathering. Newly instated Chief, Philip, has been actively involved with the Clan for many years and the society have no doubts he will do an excellent job as Chief.
Where does the name Farquharson come from?
The name means "son of the very dear one" and derives from the Gaelic MacFhearchair.
According to the Clan Farquharson website:
Clan Farquharson, of Celtic origin, derives from Farquhar, fourth son of Alexander “Ciar” Mackintosh of Rothiemurchus, 5th Chief of Clan Shaw. A grant of arms made by Lord Lyon in 1697 stated that John Farquharson of Invercauld was lawfully descended of Shaw son of MacDuff, Thane of Fife whose successors had the name Shaw until Farquhar Shaw, son to Shaw of Rothiemerchus, Chief of the whole name came to be called Farquharson. Thus the Farquharsons branched from Clan Shaw. Farquhar settled in the Braes of Mar and was appointed baillie or chamberlain thereof.
Invercauld House
It is impossible to tell what the original settlement looked like at Invercauld however parts of the basements beneath the great tower do reveal walls up to 2 metres thick. Whatever did exist formed the base of Alexander Farquharson's build in 1679, and this house was extended further in the 19th century. John Farquharson of Invercauld fought for the Jacobites and was taken prisoner at the Battle of Preston in 1715. John was known as "the Black Colonel" due to his dark complexion and he, with Viscount Dundee's army, attacked and burned down neighbouring Braemar Castle. Today Invercauld Estate is run under the guidance of Captain Farquharson and his family.
The Fighting Farquharsons - The family were loyal supporters of the Stuarts and their loyalty and ferocity on the battlefield led to this nickname.
Clan Motto: Fide Et Fortitudine (By Faith and Fortitude).
