Sinclair Tartans & Clan

The story of Clan Sinclair begins not here in Scotland but over the channel in France - more specifically, Saint Clair in Normandy. Although the exact path from French commune to Scottish clan is a little unclear, we know that Norman Saint Clairs accompanied William the Conqueror to England in 1066. It is claimed that two years later William of Saint Clair accompanied Saint Margaret to Scotland to marry Malcolm III. It is believed that in return for his efforts, the King granted William the barony of Roslin, near Edinburgh - this marked the start of the family's long history in Scotland, and the birth of the Clan as we know it today. The spelling "Sinclair" came into general use around the end of the 1400s, with the branch of the family based on Roslin continuing to go by "St Clair."

Although Caithness and Orkney is considered ‘home’ for the Clan, Sinclair families are found not just throughout the UK but worldwide. The main Scottish branches of the family are headed by the Earl of Caithness, Earl of Rosslyn, Lord Sinclair, Viscount Thurso and Sir Patrick Sinclair of Dunbeath.

The Jacobite rising is often framed as a conflict between Scots and the English, but in reality history is a lot more complicated, as Clan Sinclair’s allegiances show! The Sinclairs supported the Jacobite cause during the 1715 uprising. However by the time of the 1745 rising, they had turned their support to the British Hanoverian government. At the Battle of Culloden in 1746, Sir James Sinclair of Rosslyn commanded the Royal Scots regiment on the British Hanoverian government side.

Although the Clan has a long history in Scotland, you might be surprised to learn the Sinclairs actually have Viking roots! Although records are patchy, it is widely believed that the Sinclairs are descendants of Rognvald ‘The Mighty,’ Jarl of Orkney and Romsdahal in Norway, who was born in 835. His son, Rollo, signed a peace treaty in 921 with King Charles of France in the town of St-Clair-sur-Epte (hence the later family name). The family likely came to Scotland sometime in the late 11th century.

For much of the medieval period, the Clan was involved in a feud with Clan Sutherland. In 1570, the clans met at the Battle of Torran-Roy, with Alexander Gordon, 12th Earl of Sutherland meeting the forces of George Sinclair, 4th Earl of Caithness. Confusingly, many of the soldiers fighting for the Sinclairs were actually Sutherlands – followers of Alexander Sutherland, 8th of Duffus, who was a descendent of another line of Sutherlands who had been ousted and replaced by the Gordons as earls in the early 16th century. The 12th Earl’s troops were victorious at Torran-Roy, but in response the Earl of Caithness sent his son John, Master of Caithness to besiege Sutherland's allies the Murrays at Dornoch Castle and church, which ultimately led to their surrender. Sadly, the story doesn’t have a happy ending for the Sinclairs. Not long after, John Sinclair agreed to make peace with the Murrays, which did not please his father – he was imprisoned, and ultimately died at Castle Sinclair Girnigoe in 1576, apparently of “famine and vermin,” which sounds like an unpleasant way to go. The conflict with the Sutherlands continued for many more decades.

The Clan were also in frequent conflict with members of Clan Gunn, as they competed for control in the Highlands. In 1585, Clan Sinclair was defeated by a combined force of Clan Gunn and Clan Mackay at the Battle of Allt Camhna.

There is a strong argument to suggest that the Sinclairs were involved in the last true clan battle in Scotland. Over the course of the 1600s, many of the Sinclair lands in Caithness had been sold off to pay the family debts. In 1680 a dispute between Sir John Campbell of Glenorchy and George Sinclair of Keiss over who had the right to the title and lands of the Earl of Caithness culminated in the two meeting at the Battle of Altimarlach. It is said that as a result of the battle so many Sinclairs were killed that the Campbells were able to cross the river at Wick without getting their feet wet. But the Sinclairs had influence in high places and after failing to reclaim the title by force, they instead turned to the law, and in 1681 regained the earldom by an order of Parliament. The Campbells were made Earls of Breadalbane as a form of compensation.

The war cry of Clan Sinclair is said to be "Girnigoe! Girnigoe!" - a reference to their clan seat in Caithness.

The Clan's Pipe Music is Spaidsearachd Mhic nan Cearda - in English, this is commonly translated as as "The Sinclair’s March" and the tune is also known as "The Red Ribbon".

Interestingly the Gaelic term "cearda" can be translated as "craftsman" - there are several theories about why this term might have come to be linked to the Clan, ranging from an acknowledgement of the particular craft skills held by members of the Argyll branch, to a mispronunciation of the name "Sinclair" as "tinker," meaning craft person. We'll let you make your own mind up on that one!