The Clan MacMillan has its roots in an ancient royal house and from the orders of the Celtic church. The progenitor of the clan was Gillie Chriosd, one of the sons of the Cormac, the Bishop of Dunkeld.
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.
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.
Clan MacMillan come from lofty beginnings, having descended from an ancient royal house. In the 6th century, an Irish prince named Saint Columba set up a grand church on Iona. The Columban church quickly gained power and influence, attracting numerous followers.
Alexander I of Scotland increased the Columban church’s prestige even more by appointing Cormac, a Columban, as Bishop of Dunkeld. Cormac had many sons, one of whom, Gillie Chriosd, was the progenitor of Clan MacMillan.
It seems that the family initially settled on the shores of Loch Archaig in Lochaber and were well established by the 13th century. Another branch sprung up following a period of political turmoil triggered by Robert the Bruce killing John, the Red Comyn, in a Dumfries church. The Comyns furiously sought revenge, forcing Robert to hide out in the Highlands. The MacMillan chief at the time, Maolmuire, hid him in his grand home at Ben Lawers. He is the presumed progenitor of a large Galloway sect of the clan.
This kindness was sadly not repaid! Around 1360, when Robert’s son, David II, opposed the Lord of the Isles, the MacMillans who were keen supporters of the Lordship were banished from the area of Loch Tay.
Luckily, John of Islay granted them lands at Knapdale, where they showed great resilience and grit, re-establishing themselves and building on their strong reputation.
Clan MacMillan’s current chief is George MacMillan, who was born in 1930 to General Sir Gordon H.A. MacMillan and Marian Blakiston-Houston. He studied at Eton College, before going to Trinity College, Cambridge to read Classics. He then pursued a career in academia, teaching in numerous institutions across the world. After some time spent in Canada, George returned to the UK to lecture at Bede College, Durham, which was luckily not too far away from the MacMillan family estate of Finlaystone.
He officially became the Clan Chief in 1986 and takes the duty very seriously. He often travels to clan events in Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and the US, and has been a distinguished guest at many overseas Highland Games.
While he loves travelling, George is dedicated to Finlaystone, and spends a lot of time caring for the gardens and surrounding woodlands. He also maintains a Clan Centre which is full of fascinating MacMillan documents and artefacts. He is always happy to show any visiting clanspeople around the estate, so make sure to get in contact if you plan to make a trip!
The progenitor of Clan MacMillan is thought to be Gillie Chriosd, a Celtic priest and the son of Cormac, Bishop of Dunkeld. Due to his position, Chriosd would have had a distinctive tonsure, or hairstyle, as Celtic priests shaved their hair over the front of their heads, rather than in a ring like the Romans.
This alternate tonsure was known as ‘Mhaoil-Iain,’ or ‘of St John,’ so the name MacMillan means ‘son of one who bore the tonsure of St John.’ Other branches of the family favoured ‘Mac Ghillemhaoil,’ with the slightly more succinct meaning ‘son of the tonsured servant!’
Castle Sween was built during the 12th Century and is thought to be one of the oldest stone castles in Scotland. In 1411, Alexander MacMillan became custodian of Castle Sween until it was then passed over by James III of Scotland to Clan Campbell in 1481. The Castle currently sits in ruins and is under the care of Historic Scotland.
Clan MacMillan has one of the most active and thriving international communities we have come across so far! There is a grand total of 8 clan societies: the Clan MacMillan Society of North America, the Community of the Tonsured Servant, Clan MacMillan Appalachia, Clan MacMillan North Central States, Clan MacMillan Pacific, the Clan MacMillan Society of Australia, as well as the Society of New Zealand, and the Society of France.
You can find out more about each branch and how to join here.
From organising events, to helping members research their genealogy, the societies do great work in championing the MacMillan name across the globe.
The plant badge was a significant identifying emblem. It often had symbolic meaning, but also served the very practical purpose of helping clan members to recognise their kin. Clan Macmillan’s badge is holly, a fittingly hardy plant. In Celtic mythology, holly is often associated with protection and luck, and it certainly seems to have brought the MacMillans a fair share of good fortune.
There are over 200 spellings of MacMillan and numerous septs including Bell, Blue, Baxter and Millan. The MacMillans are one of a number of clans - including the MacKinnons, the MacQuarries, and the MacPhees - descended from Airbertach, a Hebridean prince of the old royal house of Moray who according to one account was the great-grandson of King Macbeth.
The MacMillan crest is described as ‘A dexter and a sinister hand issuing from the Wreath grasping and brandishing aloft a two-handed sword Proper.’ The sword is said to be an image of a weapon belonging to Cormac mac Airbertach, the ‘Great Bishop,’ and father of Gilchrist, progenitor of Clan MacMillan.
Clan MacMillan’s motto is ‘Miseris Succurrere Disco,’ ‘I learn to give succour to the unfortunate,’ or most simply ‘I learn to help those in need.’ It originates from Virgil’s ‘The Aeneid,’ in which Queen Dido says ‘Non ignara mali, miseris succurrere disco,’ meaning ‘nor myself being unacquainted with difficulty, I learn to succour the distressed.’
The earliest record of it being used by the clan dates back to the 1700s, when it was inscribed on a signet ring belonging to Reverend John McMillan of Balmaghie. It was then officially introduced to the family’s coat of arms which was matriculated in the Court of Lord Lyon in 1742.
Clan MacMillan settled on the banks of Loch Arkaig many centuries ago. Arkaig, nestled in the Highlands, is a stunning freshwater loch that is renowned for its beauty, fascinating history, and wealth of nature and wildlife. It stretches to around 19 kilometres in length and is surrounded by striking mountains and scenic forests, including one of the few remaining expanses of Caledonian Pinewood in the UK.
It is also notable for the range of animals who make their home on the loch, including red deer, golden eagles, otters, and even supposedly a mythical water horse!
There is also believed to be a stash of treasure hidden somewhere along the water. The treasure of Loch Arkaig, also known as the Jacobite gold, was gifted by Spain to fund the Jacobite rising in 1745, and to this day has never been found. If you find yourself in the area, make sure you keep your eyes out and you might come into an unexpected fortune!
Image credit: Nigel Brown
Clan MacMillan were determined warriors, even when opinions within the family differed. In 1745, John MacMillan of Murlagen refused to join Charles Edward Stuart in battle unless he gave up the Catholic faith. This request was ignored, but MacMillan’s eldest son defied him and formed a company of Lochiel’s regiment which then fought at the infamous battle of Culloden. Sadly, he died during the fight, but other members of Clan MacMillan honoured his life and loss by carrying his body away from the battlefield.
Owning a piece of your clan tartan is a great way to honour your ancestors and connect with your kinsmen. Luckily, here at ScotlandShop we stock 9 different variations of MacMillan tartan, so you won’t struggle to find one that suits you! They feature a range of colours, each with a symbolic and historic significance. The green in the tartan is said to represent the clan’s connection to the woodlands of their ancestral territories, the blue to symbolise loyalty and faith, black to show the difficulties the family has overcome, and red to remind the wearer of the blood ties that unite the clan.
The Chief of Clan MacMillan recognises three basic MacMillan tartans as their official tartans: Dress, Hunting and Ancient/Old and their variations.
The Lord of the Isles granted Clan MacMillan lands in Knapdale in 1360 with an unusual charter. It is said to have been inscribed on a rock on the beach at the Point of Knap, and supposedly read ‘Cor MhicMhaolain air a Chnap Fhad’s a bhuaileas tonn ri crag.’ This means ‘MacMillan’s right to Knap stands as long as this rock withstands the sea.’ Unfortunately, nothing remains of this rock today as it is believed to have been destroyed by the Campbells of Calder in 1615.
There are nine Clan MacMillan tartans to choose from - vote in our poll to let us know your favourite(s)!
The MacMillans are known for their creative spirit! Did you know that the bicycle was invented in Galloway in 1839 by Kirkpatrick McMillan?
Clan MacMillan have lent their abundant talent to a range of different fields. They have excelled in politics, literature, and on the stage, and helped to cement the family’s impressive reputation. Read the blog to find out more!
Learn about the clan's origins, motto, inventions and more!
Clan Motto: Miseris Succurrere Disco (I learn to give succour to the unfortunate)