Scottish Clans
MacDougall Tartans & Clan
During the Jacobite rising of 1715, Clan MacDougall supported the Jacobite cause and fought at the Battle of Sheriffmuir. Afterwards, the chief was forced into exile but later returned to Scotland to live as a fugitive until being pardoned in 1727.
Who Wears MacDougall 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.
- Carmichael
- Coles
- Conacher
- Cowan
- Cowen
- Dougal
- Dougall
- Dowall
- Dowell
- Dugal
- Dugald
- Eunson
- Howell
- Howells
- Livingston
- Livingstone
- Lucas
- MacClintock
- MacConacher
- MacConcher
- MacCoul
- MacCowan
- MacCowell
- MacCoyle
- MacCullagh
- MacCulloch
- MacDill
- MacDool
- MacDougal
- MacDoul
- MacDowall
- MacDowell
- MacDugald
- MacEwan
- MacEwen
- MacHale
- MacHowell
- MacKinchan
- MacLinden
- MacLintock
- MacLucas
- MacLugash
- MacLullich
- MacNamel
- Macoual
- Macoul
- Macowan
- Macowen
Macdougall Tartans
3 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.
From the start
MacDougall Clan Origins & History
Explore the history of Clan MacDougall
How it all started
Territories
Clan MacDougall descended from a powerful Norse-Gaelic lord named Somerled, who ruled as leader of the Kingdom of the Isles in the 12th century.
Somerled’s son, Dougall, inherited swathes of land in Argyll, as well as in the islands of Mull, Lismore, Jura, Tiree, Coll, and more!
His royal credentials were recognised by the King of Norway, and he took on the title ‘King of the South Isles and Lord of Lorne.’
Dougall’s son, Duncan, and his grandson, Ewan, built numerous grand castles to protect their vast territories, including Dunstaffnage, Dunollie and Duntrune on the mainland, and Aros, Cairnburgh, Dunchonnel and Coeffin on the islands.
Clan Chief
Following the sad passing of Madam Morag MacDougall of MacDougall, in January 2026, her son, Robin MacDougall, is set to become the 32nd Clan Chief. Madam Morag MacDougall, helped to set up the MacDougall of Dunollie Preservation Trust in 1998. If you have visited Dunollie you may have been lucky enough to have had Robin as your (unofficial) tour guide.
Where does the name MacDougall come from?
The name ‘Dougall,’ or ‘Dugald,’ comes from the Gaelic ‘Dubh-ghall,’ which translates as ‘dark stranger.’ ‘Mac’ means ‘son of,’ so the official progenitor of Clan MacDougall was likely Dougall, son of Somerled.
Dunollie Castle
The earliest record of Dunollie Castle dates back over 1300 years to 686 and it has been destroyed and re-built many times since then, it is currently being restored thanks to the MacDougall of Dunollie Preservation Trust. The Castle is located just outside of Oban on the coast, overlooking the sea. Dunollie Castle has been in the MacDougall family for generations and is the current seat and ancestral home of Clan MacDougall. Today it is open to the public to visit and there is even a museum within the grounds where you can learn all about the fascinating history of Dunollie Castle and Clan MacDougall, built by the Vikings and full of Scandinavian history and Norse mythology.
Do Clan MacDougall have a Plant Badge?
Clans would wear sprigs of their plant badge to help their fellow clans people identify them quickly. This could be invaluable in the chaos of battle! Plant badges were also frequently chosen to represent clan values, which certainly seems to have been the case for Clan MacDougall.
The MacDougall’s plant badge is bell heather, a plant almost as synonymous with Scotland as the thistle. It can be found across a variety of environments, including heaths, open woodlands, and coastal areas, and its striking appearance, with its deep purple flowers and dark green leaves, has made it a favourite of many.
The heather is popularly believed to bring good luck and protection to those who wear it, and is thought to represent resilience and endurance due to its ability to thrive in harsh conditions, much like Clan MacDougall!
Do Clan MacDougall have a Crest?
Clan MacDougall’s crest is described as ‘a dexter arm in armour embowed fessways couped Proper, holding a cross crosslet fitchée erect Gules.’
This means that it shows an arm clad in armour, holding a red cross, representing the clan’s strength and military prowess.
Do Clan MacDougall have a Society?
The Clan MacDougall Society of North America was founded in 1964, with complete support from the clan chief at the time, and is still thriving today! They attract more members every year, and remain committed to fostering joy, belonging, and pride among MacDougall descendants.
They list their objectives as ‘preserving and sharing music, oral history, folklore and crafts,’ ‘involving youth through athletic, creative, and exchange experiences,’ and ‘supporting the chief in maintaining Dunollie Castle, as well as preserving historical records.’
To do so, the Society attend various traditional occasions, including Highland Games, award prizes and scholarships which encourage members to pursue cultural heritage studies, and publish a regular newsletter named ‘The Tartan,’ which provides updates on all things MacDougall.
To find out more, visit the Clan MacDougall Society of North America.
We’re sure they’d love to hear from you!
Are Clan MacDougall connected to a Loch?
Loch Linnhe borders large amounts of Clan MacDougall’s territory. Two of the clan’s most significant strongholds, Castle Dunollie and Castle Dunstaffnage, are even situated on its scenic shores.
Loch Linnhe is about 35 km long and stretches from the town of Fort William out to the Firth of Lorne. It gets its name from the Gaelic word ‘linne,’ meaning ‘pool,’ and is blessed with a diverse range of wildlife.
Visitors can spot seals, porpoises, dolphins, and a wide variety of sea birds. The famous Bard Fr. Allan MacDonald, a significant figure in Scottish Gaelic literature, even claims that Loch Linnhe is home to an ‘each-uisge,’ or water horse!
While this sounds whimsical, the water horse is actually a rather sinister creature. The legend goes that it would tempt children to enter the water to ride on its back, then gallop further into the loch, stealing them away forever.
Image credit: Markus Trienke - Loch Linnhe, CC BY-SA 2.0
Is there music connected to Clan MacDougall?
Clan MacDougall are not known to have one official song, however, the Clan MacDougall Society of North America provide sheet music to a variety of bagpipe pieces related to the family on the Music – Clan MacDougall Society of North America website.
Whether you feel inspired to have a go at ‘MacDougall’s Gathering,’ or try your hand at ‘Dunolly Castle,’ you should find what you need!
Do Clan MacDougall have a Tartan?
Wearing, displaying, or owning your clan's tartan is a great way to connect with both your ancestors and your kin!
Here at ScotlandShop, we stock 3 variations of MacDougall tartan: ancient, modern, and muted.
Let us know if you need any help deciding on the perfect one for you.
Clan Battles
Ewan MacDougall, the grandson of the clan progenitor, had two very powerful allies, as he was granted his island territories from the King of Norway, and his mainland ones from the King of Scots.
However, while this undoubtedly helped to cement the MacDougall’s power, it also caused a number of difficulties, as Ewan found it understandably difficult to remain equally loyal to both!
Things came to a head in 1263, when King Haakon of Norway arrived in Oban with a huge fleet of soldiers, planning to invade the west coast of Scotland.
Out of respect to the Scots King, Ewan refused to join the invasion, pledging to take a neutral stance in the battle.
However, Ewan soon changed his mind, reasoning that neutrality would surely ultimately lead to disaster. He took action, attacking the Norse army near Mull. The Vikings were ultimately completely defeated at the Battle of Largs, and 3 years later, the Hebrides were officially relinquished by Norway to Scotland.
Image credit: Detail from William Hole's painting The Battle of Largs by William Hole - mural in the Scottish National Portrait Gallery, Edinburgh, photographed by uploader, CC BY-SA 3.0
Do Clan MacDougall have a War Cry?
Clan MacDougall’s war cry is fittingly ferocious!
‘Buaidh no bàs’ translates as ‘victory or death,’ clearly depicting the MacDougall’s unwavering commitment to defending their land and kinsmen.
We’re sure hearing this valiant cry would have struck fear into the hearts of even the strongest enemies!
Clan MacDougall's connection to Ravens
Clan MacDougall are somewhat unusual in that they chose the common raven as their official clan bird. This was likely in part to honour their Norse heritage, as in Norse mythology, the god Odin had two beloved ravens that flew high above the earth to gather information for him from all corners of the world. Consequently, ravens have come to represent great intelligence and wisdom, perfect for the grand Clan MacDougall!
The Battle of Sheriffmuir
Clan MacDougall were largely loyal to the Stuarts in the turbulent early 1700s. The 22nd Chief, Iain Ciar, paid a hefty price for fighting in the rising of 1715 at the Battle of Sheriffmuir. After the battle, he was forced into exile, though later returned to Scotland to live as a fugitive and was eventually pardoned in 1727.
The Hope MacDougall Collection
If you pay a visit to the museum at Dunollie Castle you can view the amazing Hope MacDougall collection. Miss Hope MacDougall was daughter, sister and aunt to three successive chiefs of the Clan MacDougall and in the 1950's she began collecting items from the lives of ordinary people working and living in Scotland with full descriptions written by Miss Hope herself as to their origin, use and owners. Among the thousands of items she amassed before her death in 1998, there are the tools of traditional crafts, agriculture, bee keeping, dairying, shoe making, laundry and of particular interest to the team at ScotlandShop, weaving and knitting.
Ardchattan Priory
An early leader of Clan MacDougall, Duncan, founded the impressive Ardchattan Priory in 1230, where MacDougall chiefs were buried until 1737.
Clan Macdougall
Tartan Poll
There are three Clan MacDougall tartans to choose from - vote in our poll to let us know your favourite(s)!
Clan Macdougall
Famous Faces
Clan MacDougall are well known for their determination, grit, and talent, and many of their members have distinguished themselves in a wide range of fields. Read our blog to find out more.
Image credit: Waytofamous
The Castles of Clan MacDougall
Clan MacDougall had an enormous impact on their territory, founding numerous grand buildings. We’ve had a great time exploring a few of their most impressive strongholds and can’t wait to share them with you!
Image credit: Gunther Tschuch
TOP 5 FACTS
Clan MacDougall
Learn about their origins, official clan bird, war cry and more.
Dunstaffnage Castle and its Infamous Guests
Clan MacDougall
Stood majestically on a huge rock above the Firth of Lorn, Dunstaffnage Castle is one of the oldest stone castles in Scotland and is thought to have been built by some of the earliest members of Clan MacDougall! Find out more in our video.
Robert Dougall
Voice of a Nation
One accomplished member of Clan MacDougall made his name as an iconic figure of British broadcasting, and his voice has accompanied some of the 20th century's biggest events. Find out more in our video!
Clan MacDougall
Quiz
How much do you think you know about Clan MacDougall? Enough to get all 12 questions correct? Test your MacDougall Clan Knowledge now!
Madam Morag MacDougall
The previous chief of Clan MacDougall was Madam Morag MacDougall, who inherited the position from her aunt, Colina MacDougall. She was the 31st chief of Clan MacDougall.
Madam MacDougall dedicated a lot of effort to the role, even acting as Honorary President of the Clan MacDougall Society of North America, and as a Trustee of the Friends of Kilbride, an organisation which preserves and promotes a local ancient churchyard that contains a memorial burial aisle for Clan MacDougall.
She also contributed to the preservation of Clan MacDougall’s ancestral seat, Dunollie Castle, as she helped to set up the MacDougall of Dunollie Preservation Trust in 1998, when she entrusted part of the estate to the Board of Trustees.
You can read more about Madam Morag MacDougall and other female Clan Chiefs on our blog!
Clan Motto: Buaidh No Bas (Victory or Death)
