Scottish Clans
MacLean Tartans & Clan
The progenitor of the MacLean Clan was an ancient Scottish warlord named Gillean of the Battleaxe who fought in the Scottish-Norwegian War, helping the Scots to victory.
Who Wears MacLean 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.
- Beath
- Beaton
- Bey
- Black
- Gillan
- Gilland
- Gillian
- Gillon
- Gilzean
- Huie
- Lean
- MacBay
- MacBeath
- MacBeth
- MacBey
- MacBheath
- MacClane
- MacClean
- MacCormick
- MacFadyen
- MacFadzean
- MacFayden
- MacFetridge
- MacGillivray
- MacGilvra
- MacIldowie
- MacIlduff
- MacIlduy
- MacIlvora
- MacLaine
- MacLergan
- MacPhadden
- MacRankin
- MacVay
- MacVeagh
- MacVey
- McLean
- Padon
- Paton
- Patten
- Patton
- Peden
- Ranken
- Rankine
Maclean Tartans
12 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
MacLean Clan Origins & History
Explore the history of Clan MacLean
How it all started
Territories
The Clan MacLean territories lie on the West Coast of Scotland, specifically Argyll and the Inner Hebrides.
Clan Chief
The current chief is Major The Hon Sir Lachlan MacLean of Duart and Morvern, Bt. Sir Lachlan Maclean became the 28th Chief of the Clan Maclean, 12th Baronet of Duart and Morvern, and 8th Lord Maclean on the 8th February 1990, upon the death of his father.
Where does the name MacLean come from?
The clan surname is an Anglicisation of the Scottish Gaelic MacGilleEathain meaning servant of Saint John. As with most surnames, there are many spellings of the name 'MacLean', and there are examples of McLean, MacClane, Maclain and other variants throughout history.
Duart Castle
Duart Castle is located on the Isle of Mull and was constructed in the 13th Century by Clan MacDougall. Although the castle was not built by Clan MacLean they did acquire it the following century and it still remains their Clan seat today. In 1647 the castle was attacked by Clan Campbell, but Clan MacLean managed to defeat them and keep hold of the Castle. However, in 1678 the Campbells attacked again and were successful, they took control of the Castle and also most of the lands owned by the MacLeans. Duart Castle was abandoned during the Jacobite Risings of 1745 and fell to ruins. The ruins and surrounding lands then passed hands through different families before it finally ended up back in the hands of the MacLean family once again. The Chief of Clan MacLean had the castle re-built at the beginning of the 20th Century.
Loch Buie
The sea loch of Loch Buie is situated on the Isle of Mull, upon which the historic Moy Castle, seat of Clan Maclaine of Lochbuie stands. Did you know that there are a handful of small islands close to the shore of Loch Buie and the largest of which, Eilean Mor, is actually connected to the mainland of Mull at low tide?
Surrounded by exquisite natural beauty spots, sandy beaches and a stone circle, the famous loch is certainly worth a visit if you're ever exploring the West Coast of Scotland or you want to delve into the history of Clan Maclaine of Lochbuie.
An Interview with Charles MacLean
"My Great Grandfather was the President of the Clan MacLean Association and organised a very significant gathering at Duart Castle in 1911. My Grandfather was secretary to the Clan MacLean Association for a time. I came into the council in 1976, so I have been much involved ever since and I was the editor of the magazine for a spell. I’ve been involved with Clan MacLean forever. It’s a great organisation. The whole idea of clans is wonderful. With the membership of the Clan MacLean society, there are many more overseas members in Canada, America, Australia, New Zealand and particularly in France, than there are in Scotland. I think there is a sort of duty to keep these institutions going. Many would say it’s completely irrelevant to know where you’ve come from, what your ancestors even are. But it’s a great comfort, in a way, to know what your background is and where you come from. I think that some people feel somewhat adrift when they don’t know where they come from. I mean anybody could survive perfectly happily without knowing this, but it’s just sort of a comfort to know your background and where you’ve come from. And I think these Clan organisations and the whole idea of “Clanship” is very worthwhile on that ground, I really do."
Gillean of the Battle Axe
The first chief of Clan MacLean, Gillean of the Battle Axe (Gilleain na Tuaighe in Scottish Gaelic), was an ancient Scottish warlord who fought in the Scottish-Norwegian War, helping the Scots to victory. Born around the year 1210, Gillean spent most of his life in the areas of Argyleshire, Ayreshire and Galloway. Gillean's eldest son and second chief of Clan MacLean, Malise, was first to hold the name "mac Gilleain" or "son of Gillean", name which was later shortened to MacLean.
Clan MacLean
Famous for their strength, honour and courage shown in battle, the Macleans are one of the Highlands’ oldest clans. Join us as we dive into their fascinating history on this week's episode of On The Sofa, from the Clan origins to its tartans, seats and societies, we'll explore it all.
An interview with MasterChef Champion, Gary Maclean
This Wednesday on the ScotlandShop on the Sofa, Emily is joined by Scotland’s first National Chef Gary MacLean. Together they explore Gary’s Scottish heritage, his award-winning career as a chef, what it’s like to be a MasterChef Champion and much much more!
MacLean Clan
Poll
With 9 tartan variants to choose from, the MacLean Clan is truly spoilt for choice. But what is your favourite MacLean Clan Tartan? Vote now!
Monja's Minute on Clan MacLean
Join Monja as we explore Clan MacLean in a minute... learn how to spot a member of the clan and all about their history.
Discover the four generations of Master Bakers & history of Macleans Highland Bakery
This week on Anna’nother thing about tartan, we speak to the wonderful Lewis MacLean, Managing Director of Macleans Highland Bakery. Join us as Lewis takes us on his family’s journey from the Western Isles to their modern bakery in Forres, through four generations of master bakers. We’ll discover recipes going back over a 100 years and a family full of pride for their Maclean heritage.
MacLean Clan
Quiz
How much do you think you know about Clan MacLean? Enough to get all 12 questions correct? Test your MacLean Clan Knowledge now!
The Ancient Castles of Clan MacLean
Aros Castle is unfortunately now just small ruins- that can still be explored. Situated just 16 miles along the coastline from Duart Castle on the Isle of Mull, the origins of Aros Castle were thought to have been built by the MacDougall Clan.
The Famous Faces of Clan MacLean
Many have stayed close to home in Scotland, but MacLean’s can be found in places as far away as South Africa and Thailand. However, one MacLean has boldly gone where no MacLean has gone before…Outer space!
Steve MacLean has received three honorary doctorates, two medals, and has had a school in Ottawa named after him. Steve MacLean’s spacewalk truly was one small step for man, and one giant leap for MacLean-kind!
Clan Motto: Virtue Mine Honour
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