Clan Primary Image Muir

Scottish Clans

Muir Tartans & Clan

Clan Muir dates back to 367 AD when Fergus Mor from Ireland invaded Scotland, defeated the Romans and became the first king of Dalriada, one of the 4 Princedoms that eventually formed Scotland.
Clan Motto Durum patientia frango (I overcome difficulty by patience)

Who Wears Muir 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.

  • Mor
  • Mure
  • Mures
  • More
  • Moir

Shop Muir Tartans & Clan From Curtains to Clothing, use the filters below to navigate through everything we offer in Muir Tartans

Muir Tartans

3 variations

Each 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.

Clan Origin Primary Image Muir

From the start

Muir Clan Origins & History

Clan Origin History Image Muir

Explore the history

How it all started

Territories

Rowallan, Perthshire

Clan Chief

Clan Muir is an armigerous clan which means that the clan, family or name is registered with the Court of the Lord Lyon, but does not currently have a chief recognised by the Lyon Court.

What's in the name?

The name "Muir" means 'living by a moor or heath'.

Clan Origin Location Image Muir

Rowallan Castle

Rowallan Castle is located in Kilmarnock in the Scottish County of Ayrshire and is the historic seat of Clan Muir. The original castle that stood on the grounds was first built during the 13th Century, however the castle soon fell to ruins and was re-built again in the 16th Century by the Muir family. The castle that stands today was first extended in the 17th Century by the Campbells and then again in the 20th Century. Rowallan Castle was first occupied by the Muir family during the 13th Century after Sir Gilchrist Mure married the only heir of Sir Walter Comyn (whos family owned Rowallan Castle and its grounds) under the consent of King Alexander III, Sir Gilchrist was then granted Rowallan Castle which he then converted into his family seat.

John Muir

If you have ever walked the John Muir way in East Lothian you might not know that this fine member of the Clan Muir was born in 1838 in Dunbar and emigrated with his parents to the USA in 1849 before going on to become a naturalist and explorer famous for being responsible for the establishment of the Yosemite National Park.

Clan Motto: Durum patientia frango (I overcome difficulty by patience)


Explore More...