Scottish Clans
Macrae Tartans & Clan
Who Wears Macrae 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.
- Crae
- Cree
- Macara
- Macarra
- MacCra
- MacCrach
- MacCrae
- MacCraith
- MacCraw
- MacCray
- MacCrea
- MacCreath
- MacCree
- MacCrie
- MacCrow
- MacCroy
- MacGrath
- MacGraw
- Machray
- Macra
- MacRach
- Macraith
- Macrath
- Macraw
- MacRay
- MacRie
- Rae
- Raith
- Ray
- Rea
- Reath
- Carr
- Carre
- Cessford
- Ker
Macrae Tartans
16 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
- Dress
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.
Dress 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.
Desde el principio
Macrae Clan Historia y Orígenes
Explorar la historia de Clan Macrae
Cómo empezó todo
Territories
Beauly, Kintail
Clan Chief
Clan Macrae 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.
Que hay en el nombre Macrae?
Macrae means 'son of grace' or 'son of good fortune'.
Eilean Donan
The island of Eilean Donan is the historic seat of Clan Macrae, the island is located on the west coast of Scotland and it is the location where Loch Duich, Loch Long and Loch Alsh all meet. Although Eilean Donan castle is the ancestral home of Clan MacKenzie, it was garrisoned by the Macrae family during the 13th Century, alongside the help of the MacLennan family. The Macraes did this as they were long time supporters of Clan MacKenzie. It is said that the original Eilean Donan castle was built in either the 6th or 7th Centuries, but it has been destroyed and re-built numerous times since then. The most recent restoration was in 1912 when Colonel Macrae-Gilstrap purchased the castle after it had lay in ruins for more than 200 years, he reconstructed it into the castle that stands today. It was even featured in the 2012 James Bond film, Skyfall.
Rare Macrae
If your name is Macrae you are a member of one of the rare"mac" clans that does not refer to a specific ancestor. The clan seat is Eilean Donan Castle on Loch Duich.
Clan Motto: Fortitudine (With Fortitude)
Explore More...
