Scottish Clans
Shaw Tartans & Clan
The second chief of the clan was a chap called Shaw MacGhillechrist Mhic Iain,his nickname was sgorfhiachlach which sounds like somebody clearing their throat but actually means Bucktooth. Old Bucktooth led the Shaws to victory at the Battle of the North Inch, a staged trial by combat witnessed by King Robert III and the Dauphin of France.
Who Wears Shaw 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.
- Adamson
- Ayson
- Esson
- MacAy
- MacHay
- Scaith
- Seith
- Seth
- Sheach
- Sheath
- Shiach
- Skaith
Shaw Tartans
5 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
Shaw Clan Origins & History
Explore the history of Clan Shaw
How it all started
Territories
Clan Shaw's lands are in Strathspey with the historic seat being at the Doune of Rothiemurchus
Clan Chief
The current chief is John Shaw of Tordarroch, 17th Chieftain of Clan Ay, 22nd High Chief of Clan Shaw
Where does the name Shaw come from?
The name Shaw comes from the Gaelic Na Siach or Mhic Sheaghd. The meaning of the name Shaw is First, Foremost or Leader, or it possibly means Tempest, Storm or the Wolf.
Doune of Rothiemurchus
Doune of Rothiemurchus is the historic seat of Clan Shaw and it is located just outside of Aviemore. The Shaw family held the Doune for many years, however they were faced with many difficulties with the Gordon and Grant families trying to take the lands, they eventually lost their battle to keep their lands in 1570. They lost the fight as Alan Shaw was accused of murdering his step father and was forced to leave the country. The House still stands today and is open to the public to visit.
Do Clan Shaw have a Plant Badge?
Clan Shaw's plant badge is the red whortleberry or boxwood. It was a significant identifying emblem and often had symbolic meaning, but also served the very practical purpose of helping clan members to recognise their kin. A sprig of fir is also Clan Shaw's plant badge by old tradition.
Do Clan Shaw have a Clan Crest?
The Clan Shaw crest is described as a dexter arm, the hand holding the dagger, pale, proper. The dagger held in this way is said to be a symbol of male fertility in most Celtic myths.
The Clan Shaw Septs / Families
Rothiemurchus:
Shaws of THE DOUNE (The original, primary family)
Shaws of DELL
Shaws of DALNAVERT
Shaws of TULLOCHGRUE
Shaws of ACHNAHATNICH
Shaws of GUISLICH
Shaws of KINRARA
Shaws of LAGGANLIA
Shaws of IOSAL
Glenfeshie:
Shaws of TOLVAH
Shaws of ACHLEAN
And many others
Strathnairn:
SHAWS OF TORDARROCH / CLAN AY
Also in Wester Leys
The Western Isles:
Shaws OF HARLOSH
Shaws of TRUMPAN
Shaws of JURA
Crathienaird, Glenshee, Glenisla and Glengairn:
Shaws of CRATHIENAIRD
Shaws of ABERARDER
Shaws of DALDOWNIE
Shaws of GLENGAIRN
Shaws of CORGARF
Shaws of INCHRORY
...and in Glenshee and Glenisla:
Shaws of AUCHAVAN
Shaws of DALNAGLAR
Shaws of FORTER
Shaws of THE BALLOCH
Shaws of CRAY
Shaws of BLACKLUNANS
Shaws of THE LAIR / EASTER LAIR
Shaws of BROUCHDEARG
Shaws of DALRULZIAN
Shaws of AUCHENLEISH
Clan Motto: Fide Et Fortitudine (By Faith and Fortitude. We force nae friend, we fear nae foe.)
