The Clan's first chief was a chap going by the name of Donnchadh Reamhar - stout Duncan, a minor land-owner in Perthshire. This Duncan was an avid supporter of Robert the Bruce and is said to have nursed Robert back to health following the Battle of Methven. Duncan so loved Robert the Bruce that he named his son after him, Robert succeeded his father and the clan became known as clan Robertson.
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.
Over the last 300 years, tartans have been a part of official dress for some of the most famous regiments throughout the military world! Their respective regimental tartans became undisputedly tied to the very core identity of the soldiers who wear it. Explore the associated regiments below:
Each tartan can have multiple variations, the most common of which are Ancient, Modern, Weathered, Hunting and Dress
About tartan variations
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.
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.
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.
The Modern tartans are often the more subtle combinations such as the classic Black Watch Modern
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.
Some mills refer to the Weathered tartans as Muted.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The Donnachaidh Clan is found in the beautiful heartland of Scotland, Perthshire. For over a 1000 years the Donnachaidh Clan have dominated the Highland side of Perthshire with over 10 castles and a rich history of battles, exploration and glory.
The current Clan Chief of Donnachaidh is Alexander Gilbert Haldane Robertson of Struan, the 23rd chief. Since 1983 Gilbert has represented the clan travelling to clan gatherings around the world and was even present at the unveiling of a cairn at Robertson Point on the shores of Sydney Harbour. Trained as an electrical engineer, Struan is now a fruit farmer in the southeast of England.
Dunalastair Castle is located in the Scottish County of Perthshire and is the historic seat of Clan Robertson. The Robertson family are actually a part of the Donnachaidh Clan which also includes the families of Duncan and Reid. The Robertson chief originally resided in the castle until the 1850s when the Robertsons sold the castle to the MacDonalds. The original building on the estate was burnt down during the Jacobite Risings of 1745, but was soon re-built by the MacDonalds at the turn of the 19th Century. Pictured is said MacDonald house, however now it sits in ruins. If you want a fantastic view over the Robertson Clan historic seat the 'fairy hill of the Caledonians' (in other words the peak of Schiehallion) looks over the Dunalastair estate.
The Clan Crest of Clan Donnachaidh has a deep-rooted place within the aftermath of the Scottish Wars of Independence. This crests story begins with James 1st, grandson of the great Robert the Bruce. James had a troubled life with his brothers dying unexpectedly (most likely murdered although there is no proof), so James was sent to live in France. Life didn't get any easier as James was captured on his way to France by the English and forced to spend 18 years of his life in England, until his time came to rule Scotland like his forefathers before him. James' reign was not exactly steady, and it all came down to one notorious day at Blackfriars church in Perth when James was murdered by his own uncle in an attempted coup. The murderer Walter Stewart, Earl of Atholl, was later captured by the Donnachaidh’s for his treachery and was brought to the new King, James II. For this, the new King rewarded the Donnachaidh’s with the crest of a right hand upholding an imperial crown!
If you know Scottish Heraldry law you will know that the coat of arms for a clan is for one person and for one person only, the Clan Chief. The current Chief of Donnachaidh’s coat of arms hosts all the important pieces of history previously mentioned, the hand holding the crown, the two wolves and the clan motto.
The Donnachaidh have two plant badges, the first being the Bracken Fern. The Bracken Fern is native to all British countryside, but is especially noticeable around the southern side of the clan territory in nearby Loch Rannoch. Although poisonous to both humans and animals this plant is known for its beauty and if you visit the area you won't be disappointed. The second plant badge is the Fine Leaved Heath which can also be found around Loch Rannoch. This wonderful purple shrubbery can be found in all forest land all around Europe all year round!
In the early days of the Scottish Wars of Independence the first chief of clan Donnachaidh was profusely loyal to Robert the Bruce. The Stout Duncan stayed loyal to Bruce even after his ultimate crime of killing his opponent upon the high altar at Franciscan priory. Following the brutal murder of his opponent to the crown, Bruce quickly made his way to the Stone of Destiny in Scone palace. After being crowned King, he needed to hide and regroup but he was running low on support within the country so he turned to the one man he knew would keep him and his family safe. The Stout Duncan took Bruce and his family in and kept them safe around his lands in Loch Tummel.
Loch Tummel is a long, narrow loch in Perthshire, lying 6 miles west of Pitlochry and the area around this is known as Strathtummel, full of big, old trees and renowned for it's beauty when the leaves are changing colour.
Since 1893 the main Clan Donnachaidh society has maintained and renewed the family bond among a clan now scattered throughout the world. From South Africa to Canada there are plenty smaller Donnachaidh societys all hoping to preserve the fantastic history that this clan has been building for over 1000 years! Visit their website to find out more and become a member.
We are delving into the world of Clan Donnachaidh. The clan has a bloody and brutal history that we will explore further, that have shaped who the clan are today. Discover the story behind why they are now the only Clan left in Scotland that use their Gaelic name.
There are 18 variants available for the Donnachaidh Clan, featuring gorgeous greens and reds, this Clan is truly spoilt for choice. But which is your favourite Donnachaidh Clan tartan? Vote Now!
Dunalastair Castle is set on the southern side of the Scottish Highlands. The original Dunalastair Castle was home to renowned chief Alexander Robertson of Struan. Unfortunately the castles tenure came to an end in 1745 when English forces destroyed the castle. The castle was restored by the MacDonald clan and passed hands many times, before it was eventually abandoned- the castle structure can still be visited today.
Alexander Robertson of Struan became Donnachaidh Clan Chief after his father and brother died, Alexander was only 19 years old when the huge responsibility was bestowed upon him. He faced many challenges in his first year of becoming Clan chief, he was caught and exiled. He grew restless until the day Queen Anne granted his return to Scotland.He became a famous poet and was some what of a Jacobite Celebrity.
Clan Motto: Virtuis Gloria Mereces (Glory is the reward of valour.)
It is important to note before looking at the origins of the Donnachaidh Clan that this clan is the only Clan left in Scotland that still goes by their Gaelic name instead of their angelized name Robertson. The Donnachaidh’s are one of the most historic Clans in Scotland with their ancestors going all the way back to the Royal House of Abbot, the last of the Celtic Kings of Scotland. The Donnachaidh Clan story begins with Duncan, father of Scots, who you might recognise from your school English class on MacBeth. The King had a younger son Maelmare who became Earl of Atholl and was the ancestor of the first Chief of Clan Donnachaidh, Donnchaidh Reamhar, the "Stout Duncan".
The Clan war cry "Garg'n Uair Dhuisgear" is gaelic for "Fierce when Roused". This war cry relates back to the Chief's coat of arms which contains three silver wolf heads on a blood red shield supported by a serpent and a dove. The dove signifies the beginning of the clan as parts of Scottish heraldry state that the clan began with St Columba. In this heraldry the Abbot of Dunkeld, descended from Saint Columba was recognized for his counter-seal which shows Saint Columba enthroned on two wolves.
The Donnachaidh Clan are renowned for their influence in bagpiping with their most famous tune going back to the infamous Battle of Bannockburn. The "Coming of Clan Donnchaidh" was used after the arrival of the clan’s brave warriors at one of Scotland’s most important and vital battles, the battle of Bannockburn. Today the clan marches to ‘The Blue Ribbon’ which was written by J O’Reilly, (no there is relation to myself, also J Reilly, I wish I had that musical talent!). There are many more iconic Bagpiping tunes written for and by the Robertson’s and you can find out more here.