Clan Primary Image Mac Pherson

Scottish Clans

Macpherson Tartans & Clan

The Macpherson name derives from the gaelic Macaphersein, meaning “Son of the Parson” and the clan itself is reputed to have been founded by Murdo Cattenach, a priest of Kingussie in Badenoch. Don't miss the Clan Macpherson Association Gathering taking place in August this year and involving a whole series of events from Edinburgh to Badenoch to celebrate keeping alive the spirit of the clan.

Clan Motto Touch Not The Cat But A Glove

Who Wears Macpherson 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.

  • Archibald
  • Cattanach
  • Clark
  • Clarke
  • Clarkson
  • Clerk
  • Clunie
  • Cluny
  • Currie
  • Ellis
  • Ellison
  • Ferssn
  • Gillespie
  • Gillie
  • Gillies
  • Goudie
  • Gow
  • Gowan
  • Gowans
  • Leary
  • Lees
  • MacChlery
  • MacClair
  • MacCleary
  • MacCleish
  • MacCurrach
  • MacCurrie
  • MacGillies
  • MacGoun
  • MacGow
  • MacGowan
  • MacKeith
  • MacLear
  • MacLeary
  • MacLees
  • MacLeish
  • MacLerie
  • MacLise
  • MacLish
  • MacMurdo
  • MacMurdoch
  • MacMurdoch
  • MacMurrich
  • MacVurich
  • MacVurrich
  • Murdoch
  • Murdoson
  • Pearson
  • Smith

Shop Macpherson Tartans & Clan From Curtains to Clothing, use the filters below to navigate through everything we offer in Macpherson Tartans

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.

Clan Primary Origin Image Macpherson

From the start

Macpherson Clan Origins & History

Clan Mac Pherson Chief

Explore the history of Clan Macpherson

How it all started

Territories

Macpherson is a Highland clan with deep roots in Badenoch. This came to be in 1309 when Robert the Bruce requested that Clan Macpherson carry out a plot to defeat his enemy, Clan Comyn, in exchange for ownership over the territory of Badenoch. The Macpherson’s were successful and their chief inherited the land as promised. The territory of the Clan Macpherson covered the south-east of Loch Ness, but the Macpherson's were also part of a federation of other clans, called the Chattan Confederation (also called Clan Chattan). This alliance, which originated during the Middle Ages, included the Mackintoshes, MacGillivray's, Davidsons, and Shaws, just to name a few. This meant that Clan Macpherson extended their influence beyond Badenoch.

Clan Chief

The current chief is James Brodie Macpherson of Cluny, who succeeded his late father, Sir William Macpherson of Cluny, in February 2021. He is the 28th hereditary chief and is passionate about all things Scottish. As such, he counts golf, rugby, and fishing among his most treasured activities. While Newton Castle, Blairgowrie, Perthshire, which has been the home of the Macpherson's since 1787, is still the family home, he currently lives with his wife in the Scottish Borders.

Where does the name Macpherson come from?

The Gaelic for Macpherson is Mac a' Phearsain which translates to “son of the parson”. “Parson” here means “clergy” and the story behind this is that as the Celtic church permitted priests to marry, the progenitor of the chiefs of Clan Macpherson is believed to have been a man named Muireach (or Murdo) Cattenach, who was actually the priest of Kingussie in Badenoch. So there you have it the Macpherson last name origin. If you know of any other stories behind the name of this mighty clan please let us know!

Cluny Castle

Cluny Castle

Cluny Castle is the historic seat of the Macpherson clan via Andrew Macpherson, the first Macpherson of Cluny. Members of Clan Macpherson likely existed in the area surrounding the present day building since the 14th century, but it wasn’t until the 17th century that Cluny Castle is thought to have come under the ownership of the clan. After the Jacobite Uprising of 1745, the older version of the castle burned down, but Duncan Macpherson, having regained the land, built a new Cluny Castle on the grounds. It is the early 19th century mansion that stands today. The Macpherson’s held the castle until 1943 and, today, it is privately owned.

Clan Macpherson and the Chattan Confederation

Clan Macpherson is one of the clans that make up the Chattan Confederation, often known as Clan Chattan. Though clans have often made alliances throughout history, this clan is unique in that it was an acknowledged confederation of twelve separate Scottish clans, each having their own clan chief recognized under Scottish law, but who chose to unite under the authority of one overarching chief. During the early medieval period, the chief of Clan Chattan was Gille Chattan Mor and one of his sons became the first chief of Clan Macpherson. Chief Macpherson was forced by Kenneth MacAlpin, the very first King of the Scots, to resettle in Lochaber.

White heather

Macpherson Plant Badge

The Clan Macpherson plant badge is white heather. This plant symbolizes protection and good luck. The meaning behind this plant badge comes from ancient poems by the bard Ossian, which were published in the mid 18th century by Scottish poet James Macpherson. The clan likely fancied this connection and decided to adopt the lucky plant as their own.

Mac Pherson Clan Email Header New

Macpherson Clan Crest

The Macpherson Clan crest features a sitting wildcat and their motto, which reads “Touch not the cat but a glove”. “But” means without and the “glove” of a wildcat is in reference to the animal’s foot pad. If the cat is ungloved, this means that its claws are unsheathed and, as such, the motto serves as a warning to those who would threaten the clan. Done

Clan macpherson association

The Clan Macpherson Association

The Clan Macpherson Association (abbreviated as CMA) is an international organization, open to all Macpherson’s. The society seeks to foster the spirit of the clan, connect members of the clan all around the world, and encourage the study and preservation of the history, folk-lore, literature, music, treasures and traditions of the Clan Macpherson. For anyone with a connection and interest in Clan Macpherson, the CMA is a fantastic place to start exploring.

Loch ness

Loch Ness

The Mapherson's have a connection to Loch Ness, perhaps one of the most famous lochs in all of Scotland, via their link to the Chattan Confederation. The founder of Clan Chattan was also the grandfather of the original MacPherson, and he settled on the east side of Loch Ness.

Macphersonsfiddle

Macpherson’s Lament

“Macpherson’s Lament” is a well known Scottish tune thought to have been composed by legendary fiddler, Jamie MacPherson on the night before his execution in 1700. There are several versions of the woeful tale, but one of the most intriguing portrays him throwing the pieces of the instrument into what was soon to be his grave. The broken remains of the fiddle he is said to have played that day can be seen in the Macpherson Clan Museum at Newtonmore.

Battle of Culloden

Macpherson Battles

Clan Macpherson was involved in many battles throughout history – the 1370 Battle of Invernahavon, the 1594 Battle of Glenlivet, and the 17th century Scottish Civil War, to name a few. However, their most famous involvement was in the '45 Jacobite Uprising. Clan Macpherson supported the Jacobite risings of both 1715 and 1745. For the latter, Chief Ewan Macpherson of Cluny was an important leader and fought at the Clifton Moor Skirmish. It is also noted that 300 Macphersons took part in the Atholl raids of March 1746. Luckily for Cluny, after the Jacobite defeat at the Battle of Culloden, he was able to escape capture by government troops for a whopping nine years, despite a reward of £1000 having been offered for him – not a small reward in the 18th century.

Macpherson War Cry

The Clan Mapherson war cry is ‘Creag Dhubh Chlann Chatain!’, which translates to “Black Rock of Clan Chattan”. This is, of course, a reference to Macpherson's involvement with the Chattan Confederation.

Mac Pherson of Cluny Arms

Arms of Macpherson of Cluny

These are the arms of the chief of Clan Macpherson. It features a boat with furled sails, an upward pointed dagger, and a cross crosslet fitchy, which is often associated with the Crusades in heraldry. While these arms are most commonly associated with Clan Macpherson, only the chief is permitted to wear them.

Interview with Jamie Macpherson

We were lucky enough to sit down with Jamie Macpherson, to speak to him all about his role as Chief of Clan Macpherson. He talked about his lifelong involvement in the Clan, their ever famous museum and of course the plans for their upcoming Clan gathering. Watch the interview to hear the full story.

Discover Clan Macpherson

In this episode of ScotlandShop On the Sofa, Monja and Kalyn will take us through the history, famous faces, and stunning castles of Clan Macpherson. Like many Scottish Clans, the Macphersons have influence all over Scotland, however, their original roots are in Badenoch in the Highlands. Join us as we delve into the Clan's origins and take a look into some of the Macpherson's unique identifications!

Donald Macpherson

Macpherson Famous Faces

Donald Macpherson

Donald Macpherson BEM was one of the most impressive and awarded competitive solo bagpipers not just of the 20th century, but of all time! Turns out, his incredible piping skills ran in the family. Discover more about this incredible piper and the other members of Clan Macpherson on the Tartan Blog.

Clan Mac Pherson Tartan Poll

Clan Macpherson

Tartan Poll

There are 9 variants available for the Macpherson Clan, from Modern to Ancient, Macpherson Hunting to Dress, with gorgeous reds and grey tartans, this Clan is truly spoilt for choice. But which is your favourite Macpherson Clan tartan? Vote Now!

Clan Mac Pherson Quiz

Clan Macpherson

Quiz

How much do you think you know about Clan Macpherson? Enough to get all 12 questions correct? Test your Macpherson Clan Knowledge now!

Clan Macpherson

Macpherson is a Highland clan with territories over the south-east of Loch Ness. Full of interesting facts, Macpherson is sure to be an exciting clan to celebrate!

Clan Motto: Touch Not The Cat But A Glove


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