Scottish Clans
Sutherland Tartans & Clan
The progenitor of Clan Sutherland is the same as the progenitor for Clan Murray. A Flemish knight named Freskin was granted lands in Scotland by David I. One of Freskin's grandsons was the first Earl of Sutherland and the other was the head of Clan Murray.
Who Wears Sutherland 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.
- Chiene
- Cheyne
- Clyne
- Duffes
- Duffus
- Federith
- Gray
- Keith
- Mouat
- Mowatt
- Murray
- Oliphant
Associated Regiments
Over the last 300 years, tartans have been a part of official dress for some of the most famous regiments throughout the military world! Their respective regimental tartans became undisputedly tied to the very core identity of the soldiers who wear it. Explore the associated regiments below:
- Byron Regiment (Australia)
Sutherland Tartans
6 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
Sutherland Clan Origins & History
Explore the history of Clan Sutherland
How it all started
Territories
The 1st Earl of Sutherland is thought to have descended from the famous Freskin, a Flemish nobleman who set up home in Scotland during King David I’s reign. Freskin owned much of Sutherland in the Highlands in the 12th Century, as well as lands in Duffus and the present county of Moray. The 1st Earl inherited these territories, and his descendants extended into Nairn and Caithness.
Clan Chief
The current chief of Clan Sutherland is Alistair Sutherland, 25th Earl of Sutherland. He inherited the title from his mother, Elizabeth Millicent Sutherland, on 9 December, 2019.
He was educated at Eton College, before attending the University of Oxford, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts.
His aptitude has allowed him to pursue several careers, including working for the Metropolitan Police and with IMB, a technology company.
He is also dedicated to preserving Clan Sutherland’s legacy, promoting environmental and community development initiatives in the Sutherland region, and conserving clan sites.
He even fundraised a grand total of £732,000 at an auction in 2021 to help fund the upkeep of the historic clan seat, Dunrobin Castle!
Where does the name Sutherland come from?
The name ‘Sutherland’ originates from the old Norse words súthr or suðr, meaning south, and was chosen by Norse invaders of Scotland to refer to their territories south of their land in Orkney and Caithness. Clan Sutherland then derived their name from the region.
A Note on Septs of Clan Sutherland
We have included the septs of Cheyne, Gray, Keith and Oliphant as associated with Clan Sutherland, but we note that according to the Clan Sutherland Society in Scotland's website,
"Although forming separate, distinct clans in their own right, for historical reasons and those of family ties, many people bearing the names Cheyne, Gray, Keith and Oliphant have retained a strong attachment to Clan Sutherland. They will always be welcome to do so as long as they recognise that there is a clan which bears each of these family names and to which they may have a stronger tie." - Clan Sutherland Society in Scotland
Do Clan Sutherland have a Plant Badge?
Plant badges were important symbols for clan members, used in a similar way to tartan, crests, and arms, to visually signify belonging to the group and loyalty to the chief.
Clan Sutherland’s plant badge is cotton-sedge, which is extremely distinctive and recognisable, as it has dark green narrow leaves and fluffy white flower heads. It is common across Scotland and thrives especially in marshes and moorlands.
In Celtic tradition, cotton sedge is closely linked to folklore and fairies and is believed to ward off evil spirits. It also symbolises resilience and endurance due to its ability to thrive in harsh environments, much like Clan Sutherland!
Do Clan Sutherland have a Crest?
Clan Sutherland’s crest is described as ‘A cat a-mountain sejant rampant Proper.’
This means that it shows a ferocious wildcat rearing up. Wildcats are deeply respected creatures in clan heraldry, as they represent strength, hardiness, and fighting prowess, perfect for the valiant Clan Sutherland!
Dunrobin Castle
Dunrobin Castle is the historic seat of Clan Sutherland, and is located in Sutherland in the Highlands of Scotland. The exact date the castle was built is unknown, but it's likely before the 16th Century, as in 1518 the Castle was captured by Alexander Sutherland. The Castle has been open to the public since 1973.
Image credit: jack_spellingbaconderivative work: Snowmanradio (talk) - originally posted to Flickr as Dunrobin castle and uploaded to commons at Dunrobin_Castle_-Sutherland_-Scotland-26May2008.jpg, CC BY 2.0
Do Clan Sutherland have a Society?
If you are interested in joining a Society to celebrate your Sutherland heritage, you have numerous options!
The Clan Sutherland Society in Scotland was founded all the way back in 1897 and reconstituted in 1977.
Members benefit from receiving the ‘Sans Peur Times,’ a newsletter sent out several times a year with topical news from Scotland as well as updates on Sutherland achievements throughout the world and articles on family history.
The Society also holds an Annual General Meeting which allows members to meet their peers and connect over their shared heritage. If you have a current membership card, you can even get into Dunrobin Castle, Clan Sutherland’s ancestral seat, for free!
Find out more, including how to join, on the Clan Sutherland Society website.
The Clan Sutherland Society of North America is also thriving. Founded in 1976, it serves as an educational organisation, aiming to reach across generations to keep the spirit of Clan Sutherland and Celtic culture alive.
They list their objectives as promoting a sense of kinship within the clan, as well as friendship and loyalty, increasing public knowledge and interest in Clan Sutherland, and cooperating with the Clan Sutherland Society in Scotland to develop an archives centre for records and genealogy of the clan, as well as assisting in the conservation of Sutherland sites.
Support this great work and find out more about joining Clan Sutherland Society of North America.
Last but not least, the Clan Sutherland Society in Australia has been steadily gaining momentum since it was formed in Sydney in 1983. They name their main purpose as establishing contact between Sutherland descendants and associated septs around Australia, and the rest of the world. They aim to celebrate and share Sutherland heritage, and attend several Celtic events and festivals each year, both in Australia and Scotland!
We’d really recommend checking out the Clan Sutherland Society in Australia website to learn more.
Are Clan Sutherland connected to a Firth?
Clan Sutherland’s historic seat, Dunrobin Castle, looks out over the scenic Dornoch Firth, which is notable for its environmental significance as well as its beauty.
It is surrounded by striking hills, often covered in heather; oak woods, and various coniferous trees. It is the most northerly complex estuary in the UK, and contains extensive stretches of mudflats and sandflats, which provide the perfect conditions for a diverse range of animals and plants to thrive.
The Firth is a designated Special Protection Area due to its importance for otters and harbour seals, as well as several populations of birds, including osprey, bar-tailed godwit, and greylag geese.
It is one of the least industrialised firths in Scotland, which helps to conserve its great beauty and peaceful environment. However, in 1991, the new Dornoch Firth Bridge was built, making it easier to cross between Inverness and Thurso.
Today, the area attracts numerous visitors each year who enjoy the stunning walks and lookout points, the fascinating local wildlife, and the idyllic quiet surroundings.
Do Clan Sutherland have a Pipe Song?
Clan Sutherland’s official pipe song is ‘the Earl of Sutherland’s March,’ sometimes also known as ‘Lady Strathnaver’s Welcome to Dunrobin Castle.’
This piece has never been officially published, so it can be hard to find, but pipe major Donald McNeill of Dornoch, Sutherland, generously provided the Clan Sutherland Society of North American with a rendition.
Clan Battles
Clan Sutherland has a long and complicated history with Clan MacKay.
In 1514, John de Moravia, the 9th Earl of Sutherland, died without an heir, meaning that his sister, Elizabeth, and her husband Adam Gordon, took on the chiefdom of Clan Sutherland.
However, John Mackay of Strathnaver, the chief of Clan MacKay, saw this as the Gordon family taking over Clan Sutherland, which he greatly opposed. As a result, he persuaded his brother-in-law, Alexander Sutherland, to claim the Earldom himself, promising that he would have the full support of the MacKays.
So, while Adam Gordon was away from the clan’s seat at Dunrobin Castle, Alexander Sutherland and an army formed by Clan MacKay sieged the castle.
On finding out about this, Gordon immediately sent a counter force to Dunrobin, and Sutherland was forced to surrender. Many of the MacKays escaped back to their own lands, but Sutherland was not so lucky. He suffered a particularly grisly fate, being executed, then having his head placed on a spear and displayed on the top of Dunrobin Castle.
In 1542, Clan Sutherland and Clan MacKay clashed again when Donald MacKay led a group of men to attack the village of Knockartel (or Knockarthur) and stole a wealth of goods from the villagers. The stolen goods were recovered, but Donald persisted in invading Sutherland territory and marched as far as Skibo Castle. The Sutherlands caught up with the MacKay army and captured Donald, imprisoning him at Foulis Castle. It is thought that he managed to escape shortly after.
Do Clan Sutherland have a War Cry and Motto?
Clan Sutherland’s war cry is ‘Ceann na Drochaide Bige,’ meaning ‘the head of the little bridge.’
This refers to a now lost wooden bridge over the Golspie Burn where clan members would have once gathered at the request of their chief.
A stone bridge was later built in the same spot in 1810, which features an obelisk with the inscription ‘the chief of the Sutherlands summons the victorious clan Sutherland to the head of the little bridge.’
The clan’s motto is ‘sans peur,’ or ‘without fear,’ which illustrates how willingly and courageously the clan would have responded to any such call to battle!
Do Clan Sutherland have a Tartan?
If you are looking for a way to connect with your Sutherland peers and honour your clan ancestry, owning your very own Sutherland tartan is a great idea! Here at ScotlandShop, we stock 6 different kinds, from Old Ancient to Hunting Modern, so you’re sure to find one that suits you.
Clan Sutherland's Valuable Alliances
Clan Sutherland have always been good at making valuable alliances. William, the 5th Earl, married Princess Margaret, daughter of Robert the Bruce and sister of David II. Their son was heir to the throne until he sadly died of the plague in 1361.
Other members of the clan made a name for themselves by obtaining prestigious titles within society. For example, in 1715, John, the 16th Earl, was named Lord Lieutenant for the north of Scotland, including the islands.
The death of the 17th Earl saw an unlikely feminist turn for Clan Sutherland, as he left no sons and only one daughter, Elizabeth, as an heir. Her right to succeed as a woman was questioned by the nearest male heirs, George Sutherland of Forse and Sir Robert Gordon of Gordonstoun, but the House of Lords sided with Elizabeth, naming her Countess of Sutherland on the 21st of March 1771.
Clan Sutherland
Famous Faces
Clan Sutherland have achieved memorable success at the very highest level in cinema, music and sport. Read our blog to find out more.
Image credit: Festival TV Monte-Carlo - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0
Clan Sutherland
Tartan Poll
There are six Clan Sutherland tartans to choose from - vote in our poll to let us know your favourite(s)!
TOP 5 FACTS
Clan Sutherland
Learn about Clan Sutherland’s origins, war cry and more.
The Castles of Clan Sutherland
Clan Sutherland was once one of the most powerful families in Britain, and they owned numerous grand castles fitting of this status, some of which are still standing today!
Image credit: Julian Paren, CC BY-SA 2.0
Clan Sutherland
The sparkling career of donald sutherland
One notable Sutherland made his name as a towering figure in cinema, admired for his arresting screen presence, intelligence, versatility, and six-decade long career. Find out more about the legendary Donald Sutherland in our video.
An Interview with The Clan Sutherland Society in Scotland
We were thrilled to speak with Mark Sutherland-Fisher, President and Genealogist of The Clan Sutherland Society in Scotland for a special interview diving deeply into what it means to be a Sutherland, the history and bloodlines of the clan, tartans and so much more.
Clan Sutherland vs Clan MacKay
A fascinating feud
Clan Sutherland has a long and complicated history with Clan MacKay. Find out more about their fascinating feud in our short video.
Clan Sutherland
Quiz
How much do you think you know about Clan Sutherland? Enough to get all 12 questions correct? Test your Sutherland Clan Knowledge now!
Clan Motto: Sans Peur (Without Fear)
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