Scottish Clans
Hay Tartans & Clan
The legendary origins of the Clan state that in the year 980 the Danes were invading Scotland. At the battle of Luncarty, the Danes were victorious and forcing the Scots to retreat when a farmer and his two sons appeared in a narrow pass. The Farmer reprimanded the retreating Scots and picked up his ploughshare to lead a second charge against the Danes. The invading Danes thought a fresh corp of troops was coming their way so in confusion they fled the field of battle. The King was so grateful to the Farmer that he gifted him as much land as a falcon would cover before it landed. This story is probably false and the Hays more than likely descend from Norman families called de la Haye.
Who Wears Hay 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.
- De la Haye
- MacHay
- O’Hea
- Hayson
- Hayes
- Hays
- MacGaradh
- MacGarra
- McArra
- MacGarrow
- Garra
- Garrad
- Garrow
- O’Garra
- O’Garrow
- Leish
- Leith
- Des Hay
- Peebles
- Gifford
- Hayston
- Haydock
- Haytor
- Hayden
- Hayens
- Haylees
- Haynes
- Hayse
- Deshays
- Alderston
- Kellour
- Laxfirth
- Locherworth
- Yester
- Drumelizior
- Hayfield
- Ay
- Aye
- Ayer
- Haywood
- Hayter
- Haylor
- Hayburn
- Hayward
- Hayne
- Haynie
- Haystoun
- Hey
- Haye
- Heyes
- De Hay
- daHay
- de Haya
- da Haya
- Dellahay
- de la Hay
- Hea
- O’Hay
- Peeples
- Beagrie
- Tweeddale
- Delgatie
- Erroll
- Kinnoull
- Slains
- Turriff
- Dupplin
- dePlessis
- Arroll
- Conn
- Con
- Hayhoe
- Hayson
- Hayhow
- Hawson
- D’Aye
- Peoples
- Hayton
- Aue
- Gifford
Hay 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
Hay Clan Origins & History
Explore the history of Clan Hay
How it all started
Territories
Aberdeenshire and Tweeddale
Clan Chief
The current chief is Merlin Sereld Victor Gilbert Hay, 24th Earl of Erroll. Although his father's name was Moncreiffe, and he inherited the Moncreiffe baronetcy on his death, his name has never been Moncreiffe because he was heir to the earldom of Erroll at birth. His father, in fact, considered following the old practice of changing his own name to Hay, but he unexpectedly became chief of the Moncreiffes when his cousin burned himself to death, so a new set of arrangements was arrived at, with his second son adopting the Moncreiffe name.
Where does the name Hay come from?
Haye comes from haia, meaning hedge or stockade
Old Slains Castle
Old Slains Castle was built on a narrow rocky peninsula sticking out into the North Sea in the fourteenth century by the Hays, who had acquired the lands following the First War of Scottish Independence. They occupied the Castle near Colieston in Aberdeenshire until 1594 when it was blown up by James VI in retaliation for their support for a pro-Catholic rebellion led by the Earl of Huntly. Hay was forced to flee the country, returning in 1597 to make peace with the King. Having recovered his estates he had the option to rebuild Old Slains Castle but instead opted to build new Slains Castle at Bowness, six miles away.
Tartan Day
Clan Hay were selected to march as the Honoured clan for the 20th Annual New York Tartan Day Parade in 2018. The clan marched along side their pipe band being one of the only clans lucky enough to have it's own pipe band.
Clan Hay Pipe Band
The Clan Hay Pipe Band was founded in 2004 and is based with Clan Hay’s Continental Europe branch in Brussels. The band is led by Pipe Major Philippe Vervoort, who is also personal piper to the Earl of Erroll, Chief of Clan Hay.
Discover Clan Hay
The Hays are a family well known in Scottish history as having a rather magical origins story, featuring Danish Vikings and fierce battles. However, there is so much more to this Clan than Vikings and battles, which is why on this episode of On The Sofa, Anna and Monja delve deep into the Clan's history. They discuss every part of their insignia and also share a few interesting clan member stories.
Duns Castle
Duns Castle was built in the 14th Century, but has been the home to the Hay family since 1696, when it was acquired by the First Earl of Tweeddale. His descendants, Alick and Aline Hay, still own the castle to this day, and live in its private quarters. The castle is set within extensive grounds, home to a huge variety of wildlife and is a very popular wedding destination due to the stunning backdrop that the grounds provide. The castle has been used as the location for many photoshoots over the years and was even featured in the 1997 film, Mrs Brown. However, the most interesting part about the castle is the rumour that it is haunted by Alexander Hay, who was killed at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815.
Clan Motto: Serva Jugum (Keep the Yoke).
Clan Hay
Tartan Poll
There are 5 tartan variants available for the Hay Clan, from Modern and Ancient to even a Dress variant, with gorgeous green and red tartans, this Clan is truly spoilt for choice. But which is your favourite Hay Clan Tartan? Vote now!
Clan Hay
Quiz
How much do you think you know about Clan Hay? Enough to get all 12 questions correct? Test your Hay Clan Knowledge now!
Interviewing The Bearded Ninja
Ali Hay is 3 time Ninja Warrior UK finalist and a proud member of Clan Hay, in this interview Amy chats to Ali all about his Clan Hay connections and of course his Ninja Warrior story. Ali is originally from Kelso in the Scottish Borders, only a short drive from ScotlandShop HQ and in the summer of 2020 opened Scotland's first Ninja Warrior Adventure Park!
Travel to San Diego with Tom Bauer Hay
In this episode of Anna'nother thing about tartan, Anna speaks with Tom Bauer Hay who is a proud member of the American branch of Clan Hay and is also the treasurer for House of Scotland, a cottage in San Diego which aims to promote all aspects of Scottish culture. We are so excited to hear his Scottish heritage story!
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