Scottish Clans
MacNab Tartans & Clan
The name "MacNab" (however spelt) is from the Gaelic "Mhic an Aba" and means "sons (or children) of the Abbot." Originally there were lay abbots, and according to tradition the MacNab chiefs were descended from the younger son of Kenneth McAlpine, King of the Scots, Abbot of Glendochart and Strathearn, who united the Scots and the Picts. MacNabs are members of a larger clan grouping, Siol-an-Alpine Clan Alpine, with the MacGregors, MacKinnons, Grants, Macquarries, and MacAulays.
Who Wears MacNab 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.
- Abbot
- Abbotson
- Abbott
- Cleland
- Clelland
- Dewar
- Gilfillan
- Gillan
- Gilland
- Gilliland
- MacClelland
- MacLellan
- MacClelland
- MacNabb
- MacNair
Macnab 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
MacNab Clan Origins & History
Explore the history of Clan MacNab
How it all started
Territories
Clan MacNab’s territory stretched from Tyndrum, west into Argyll, and east down Glendochart to Killin, where the family’s grand ancestral seat, MacNab Castle, sat on Eilan Ran, a scenic island on the north bank of the River Lochay.
Clan Chief
The current chief of Clan MacNab is James ‘Jamie’ William MacNab. He is the 24th chief, but the first direct heir to the Chiefship since the old line died out in the 1800s! He was born in Edinburgh, and it is said that a pipe band greeted his arrival home from the hospital to the family’s estate in Killin.
He is now a qualified chartered surveyor, living and working in Edinburgh, specialising in some of Scotland’s most impressive castles and country houses.
He serves as a modern, international ambassador for the MacNabs, stating that he is ‘both proud and humble to be Chief of the Clan,’ and that he hopes he can be a ‘point of focus for Clansmen and women from throughout the world.’
Where does the name MacNab come from?
The name ‘MacNab’ is derived from the Gaelic ‘Mac an Aba,’ which means ‘son of the abbot’.
Many historians believe this refers to one particular, very powerful man: the younger son of Kenneth McAlpine, King of the Scots, Abaruadh, Abbot of Glendochart and Strathearn.
Abaruadh was also descended from King Fergus of Dalriada and St Fillian, founder of the great monastery of Glendochart.
The MacNabs are certainly blessed with some noble ancestors!
Do Clan MacNab have a Plant Badge?
A clan’s plant badge is a very meaningful emblem that clan members used to visually represent their loyalty to their chief and family. It is thought that a sprig of the plant would have been worn attached to a bonnet or pinned to the shoulder of a sash.
Clan MacNab’s plant badge is Rubus Saxatilis, or stone bramble.
It is widespread across Europe and Asia and thrives in damp woods and rough landscapes. In Celtic symbolism, stone bramble represents tenacity, strength, and vigour due to its hardy nature. Perfect for the resilient Clan MacNab! It also represents health and healing, as it is a key ingredient in many traditional, natural remedies.
Image credit: Ivar Leidus
MacNab History
The early history of Clan MacNab is bound up with Saint Fillan, the later of two so named. He was a Scot, the son of Feradach or Feriach, who succeeded St. Mundus as Abbot of Kilmun, then moved to Glendochart. MacNab country stretched from Tyndrum west into Argyll, and east down Glendochart to Killin, where the seat of the Clan was MacNab Castle on Eilan Ran, an island on the north bank of the River Lochay. This was at the western end of Loch Tay, a point of great importance when there were no roads and water was the quickest means of transport.
Do Clan MacNab have a Society?
The Clan MacNab Society is a non-profit dedicated to promoting education about Clan MacNab’s history, and the preservation and restoration of MacNab historical sites, such as the Innis Bhuidhe burial ground in Killin, Scotland.
The Society also promotes fellowship across the globe for the MacNab family.
If you are lucky enough to have MacNab heritage, joining the Society would be a great way to celebrate your identity, and connect with both your ancestors and your peers.
Members get access to a range of benefits, including a quarterly publication containing official messages from the chief, announcements about upcoming gatherings, regional highland games information, and uplifting MacNab stories.
The society is also currently running ‘the MacNab DNA Project,’ working to connect clans people around the world, and map as many family trees as possible.
Image Credit-Clan Macnab Society
Do Clan MacNab have a Crest?
Clan MacNab’s crest is ‘the head of a savage affrontée proper,’ referencing the MacNab’s notorious 1612 defeat of Clan MacNeish and beheading of the MacNeish chief.
Clan MacNab's connection to Robert the Buce
Members of Clan MacNab have been present during some of Scotland’s most notorious historic moments.
Angus MacNab was the brother-in-law of John Comyn, who was famously murdered by Robert the Bruce in 1306. MacNab joined forces with MacDougall of Lorn in a campaign against the king, and narrowly escaped capture at Dalrigh in Strathfillan.
When Bruce achieved victory at Bannockburn in 1314, consolidating his power, he sought revenge on Clan MacNab by destroying their charters and forcing them to forfeit their land. Luckily, the family’s fortunes were restored in 1336 when King David II granted them a new charter.
Are Clan MacNab connected to a Loch?
A large part of Clan MacNab’s ancestral territory was located on Eilan Ran, an island on the north bank of the river lochay, at the western end of Loch Tay.
Loch Tay is long and narrow, at around 23.42 km long and 1.6 to 2.4 km wide, following the line of the strath from south-west to north-east.
The main settlements today are Killin, located at the head of the loch, and Kenmore, which you can find at the outflow of the River Tay. There is also a number of smaller settlements on the south side of the loch, Acharn, Ardeonaig, and Ardtalnaig, whilst Fearnan and Lawers are to the north.
Also on the north shore is Ben Lawers, the 10th highest mountain in the British Isles! Loch Tay has a fascinating and rich history, dating back centuries. In the Iron Age, people lived on man-made islands in the water called Crannogs. You can see a reconstructed model of one such structure at the excellent Scottish Crannog Centre on the south side of the loch.
This scenic spot has also had a big impact on culture. The loch and its surroundings feature in the classic Scottish musical piece ‘Loch Tay Boat Song,' and also appear in the iconic ‘Monty Python and the Holy Grail.'
Loch Tay even played a role in Taylor Swift’s ground breaking Eras tour, when Radio Heart Scotland temporarily renamed it ‘Loch Tay Tay’ in honour of the singer’s Scottish tour dates!
Image credit: Don Gillies
Do Clan MacNab have a War Cry?
Clan MacNab’s motto and war cry are one and the same: ‘Timor omnis Abesto,’ or ‘Let Fear Be Far from All,’ perfectly encapsulating the famous MacNab spirit.
It is thought that one particularly fearsome battle was the origin of this saying.
Supposedly, after the bloody clash between Clan MacNab and Clan MacNeish on Christmas 1612, the elderly MacNab chief was nervously awaiting the return of his sons when he suddenly spotted them in the distance, returning from their mission.
They called out to their relieved father, ‘dread naught,’ confirming their victory.
Clan Battles
Clan MacNab had a turbulent and long-lasting feud with Clan MacNeish.
The Christmas of 1612 saw a particularly brutal clash between the two families. The story goes that the MacNab chief sent a servant to the town of Crieff to collect provisions for the upcoming festivities. However, on his way back from this errand, he was accosted, beaten, and robbed, leaving him to return to the chief empty handed.
Clan MacNab supposedly received news that this attack was carried out by a member of Clan MacNeish, and quickly swore to get their revenge.
Meanwhile, Clan MacNeish were gleefully enjoying their spoils when they came across a local old woman who was rumoured to be a witch. Wanting to stay on her good side, the MacNeishes offered her a share of the plunder, but she rejected the offer, sombrely pointing at the MacNeish’s moored boat and crying out ‘beware of the time when there will be 2 boats on Loch Earn.’
The MacNeishes laughed off her warning, confident that they owned the only boat on the loch, and proceeded to get drunk off their stolen goods.
What they didn’t know was that as they partied, 12 strong and angry MacNab men were setting out to MacNeish territory, sailing across Loch Earn to reach their enemies.
It is said that when they arrived, Clan MacNeish were sleepy, drunk, and completely unsuspecting of the attack.
The MacNabs killed every member of Clan MacNeish they encountered, and took back grisly proof of their victory, presenting the chief of Clan MacNab with the heads of their slain foes.
Image credit: Gerald England / Neish Island / CC BY-SA 2.0
Fighting within the Family
In the mid 1640s, Clan MacNab experienced a clash within the family. Chief Finlay was renowned for being a man of peace, intent on protecting his land and people from the invading royalist forces of Montrose. His son John, however, did not follow his example! ‘Smooth John’ actually joined Montrose’s army, helping them to win the Battle of Kilsyth. As a reward, he was put in charge of Montrose’s grand home, Kincardine Castle. Later, General Leslie besieged the castle, capturing John. He was sentenced to death and imprisoned in Edinburgh but luckily managed to escape on the night before his execution!
Did you know that Clan MacNab has impressively ancient origins?
They are thought to be descended from Clan Alpin, commonly believed to be the oldest and most purely Celtic of the Highland clans.
Do Clan MacNab have a Tartan?
Tartan is an integral part of a clan’s identity; displaying your clan tartan is a great way to show pride in your heritage and connect with your peers.
Here at ScotlandShop, we stock 3 variations of MacNab tartan: ancient, modern, and a 1842 modern. Each displays a different tone and depth of colour, all equally striking!
Clan MacNab
Famous Faces
Clan MacNab is a clan rich in character and achievement, with notable figures spanning history, sport and popular culture. From colourful chiefs to modern-day icons, discover some of the famous faces who have carried the MacNab name and left their mark.
Image Credit: "The MacNab", Francis MacNab (1734–1816), 12th Laird of MacNab, by Sir Henry Raeburn, 1802 | Ultimate source: Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, Glasgow
Clan macnab
Tartan Poll
There are three Clan MacNab tartans to choose from - vote in our poll to let us know your favourite(s)!
TOP 5 FACTS
Clan MacNab
Learn about Clan MacNab's name origins, longstanding feuds and more.
The Sites of Clan MacNab
Clan MacNab commanded their territory with strength and passion. The family were deeply connected to their land, and proud of their strongholds, so we think exploring the places they have called home for centuries is the perfect way to get to know the MacNabs better!
Image credit: Tom Pennington / Clan McNab Burial Ground / CC BY-SA 2.0
Clan MacNab
Quiz
How much do you think you know about Clan MacNab? Enough to get all 12 questions correct? Test your MacNab Clan Knowledge now!
The Notorious Chief Francis Macnab
Watch our short video to learn more about the notorious Chief Francis Macnab who was immortalised in a portrait by Sir Henry Raeburn. A proud Highlander who loved his whisky, Chief Francis is one of the most memorable clan chiefs in Scottish history.
Clan MacNab vs Clan MacNeish: A Fearsome Feud
Relive the infamous 1612 feud with Clan MacNeish, a brutal clash that cemented the MacNabs’ fearsome reputation on Loch Earn and shaped generations of clan lore. Learn about their courage, resilience, and what makes Clan MacNab a story worth telling for anyone with Scottish roots. Find out more in our short video.
Clan Motto: Timor Omnis Abesto (Let Fear Be Far From All)
Top Image Credit: N Chadwick / Entrance to Burial Grounds, Innis Bhuidhe / CC BY-SA 2.0
