Tartan Tales of Clan Logan

Every month we celebrate a different Scottish Clan and April has been dedicated to the Logans! We had many lovely stories sent to us by members of the Clan back in 2021 when we first celebrated Clan Logan, and this month we've gathered more to add to it.

We were delighted to hear from Ian Logan, Senior Hospitality and Spirits Manager at Duncan Taylor Scotch Whisky Ltd about his connection to Clan Logan!

Ian Logan

What does your Logan heritage mean to you personally, and are there any specific traditions or ways you connect with it?

I have always been aware of Logan being a slightly rarer surname and with no specific geographical presence I am aware of. I have read a number of articles with some saying the name is of Irish descent. It is always good to stand out from the crowd to some degree. My name is my identity and is recognised amongst the groups I am part of. I can't say we as a family do anything specific to connect with the name but doing this has really stirred my thoughts.

Have you explored your Logan family history? If so, what's been the most interesting or surprising discovery you've made?

The furthest we have gone back is to our great grandfather who is buried in a war grave in France and was a landworker so at present we are back to the end of the 19th century. My grandmother was a remarkable woman bringing up 8 children on her own after her husband was killed in a mining accident in Ayrshire a week after their youngest child was born.. She even went back to college and qualified as a primary school teacher. A tiny woman with enormous drive and passion.

Ian's grandmother's graduation

Do you own or wear a kilt with the Logan tartan? If so, do you have a particular tartan that resonates with you, and why?

Afraid to say that I don't have a Logan kilt or trews though do have three kilts hanging at home. For many years I was Global Ambassador for The Glenlivet Single Malt and the Hunting Glenlivet is my favourite. A rich dark background with gold red, blue and green that reflects the area and somewhere that will always be very close to my heart. There is nowhere like the outdoors in Scotland and the Hunting Glenlivet was my link to home while in the +50 countries I have visited across the globe.

Could you tell us about your journey into the whisky and hospitality industry? Was there a particular moment or influence that sparked your interest? 

I am approaching my 38th year working with whisky from starting off as a basic sales person in Ayrshire for a family business called Iannotti Bros where Sales was just one aspect of my role, it was the best grounding I could have wished for, learning so much that has stood me in such good stead today. It was also at this time I gained my first awards in Wines and Spirits passing my Wine & Spirit Education Higher certificate. It was only on joining Duncan Taylor in 2021 that I became much more involved in Hospitality with the opening of The Bank Restaurant in Huntly which I opened and ran during its initial period.

From the early days with Iannotti Bros there has been a natural inquisitiveness of the category, what makes everything taste different, why does it taste different, who are the people behind the labels. Almost 40 years later I still find myself asking questions and hopefully still learning.

From your perspective within the industry, what are some of the unique qualities or characteristics that truly set Scotch whisky apart? 

In my eyes there are three specific things about the whisky industry that make it stand out from the crowd and this applies around the world.

First of these is, without the people, without the passion and pride they all have in the whisky they produce, then greatness would never be achieved. I have been around almost 40 years now and still remember my first sale but I am only a boy compared to many. I have numerous friends with over 40 years, 50 years, even 60 years in the industry. The grandad of us all, Jimmy Russell from Wild Turkey Bourbon in the US who has been around over 65 years, that tells you all you need to know about the people.

Secondly, location is vital, often in the remoter areas of the country, not just for making whisky but having the Scottish landscape laid out before you.

Finally, the natural resources ranging from gold quality barley and crystal clear water to wonderful oak casks and relatively cool temperature ideal for distilling.

What do you find most rewarding or exciting about your current role at Duncan Taylor Scotch Whiskies (DTSW)?

There are a number of things that make DTSW worthwhile. Working for a small company means we can react quicker and more effectively to new fashions or requests that may arrive. A team where everyone knows everyone means moral support for each other.

Being a small company is a blank canvas allowing us to grow the business as we see fit. To know that everything the team does becomes the legacy of DTSW.

Even today after all these years I find myself constantly learning, moving from a sales role to Global Ambassador to find myself focussing on choosing casks and approving our bottlings, seems the old dog can still learn new tricks.

The Whisky for the My Name'5 Doddie Foundation is a fantastic initiative. Could you share your involvement in that project and what that experience meant to you?

The business had previously been involved in projects with the Foundation so it just seemed like the logical next step in the relationship. To have one iconic image of Scotland supporting a man who lived and breathed everything Scottish was a privilege.

I never had the good fortune to meet Doddie Weir but shared a lunch with Bryan Redpath and Kenny Logan who regaled the audience with stories of the big man proving he was genuine and honest as portrayed. Beyond the whisky everything else lay with our Marketing and Commercial Depts and bringing the project home.

Any good stories you'd like to share?

Couple of other bits and pieces, I have shot for Scotland 14 times, both captaining my country and also been Scottish Champion a couple of times. I am a Master of the Quaich which is the highest level obtainable within the Scotch Whisky Industry, there have only ever been 350 selected globally.

Being outside in Scotland regardless of the time of year is close to my heart with either a camera or doing a little fly fishing.

Charles has always dreamed of representing his clan at a Scottish festival and this year those dreams became a reality, read on to find out about his exciting weekend!

Clan Logan at Smokey Mountain Scottish Festival and Games

This year at Smoky Mountain Scottish Festival and Games I was able to fulfill my dream of hosting a Clan Logan Society Stand! I had not attended a games since the Central Florida games in January 2019 and so I was excited to get back to where I belonged, speaking to people about clans and genealogy. There was an amazing turn out of 48 clan tents at the games, as well as Scottish vendors, pipe bands, highland dancers and plenty of people passionate about Scottish culture! I can’t wait to attend my next Highland games as proud member of Clan Logan!

Randy is a member of the Clan Logan Society International and has been attending The Grandfather Mountain Highland Games every year for the past 12 years, last year he even visited the event ground on the weekend the games would have been going ahead because he feels such a connection to Grandfather Mountain. Read his account of the games this year.

Randy and his partner attending The Grandfather Mountain Highland Games

I was so pleased to attend The Grandfather Mountain Highland Games again this year to represent Clan Logan Society alongside my good friend Ed Logan. It was the best attended we could remember seeing the games with 85 clans in attendance! I have been attending the games for 12 consecutive years now, with Ed attending for the past 17 years, impressive dedication for sure, but these games are that special. We were so saddened last year when the games were not able to go ahead, no games, no pipes, no families, no clans, which is why we will not be taking the games for granted anymore and we are going to try and visit even more events in the future, with the spirit of my Logan heritage in full swing!

Jack Logan and daughter wearing the Logan Ancient tartan

Jack inherited his Logan Ancient kilt from his grandfather and feels very proud of his Scottish roots whenever he wears it, he loves the colours of the tartan so much he had a baby romper made and little kilt made for his daughter in the matching tartan. His mother's tartan is actually the MacLeod of Lewis but he much prefers the Logan colours.

Josh is a member of the Clan Logan Society International Facebook Group, a place where members of the society share stories about their research into their family tree, Josh recently shared this story and it was too interesting not to include in our Clan Logan Stories blog!

Our family name was changed from Logan to Loggins in 1730 upon coming from Ireland to Virginia. We were in Ireland one generation and before that Scotland. I’m a direct descendant of Robert Logan of Restalrig, and trace back from there, one of his grandfathers (also Robert Logan) who married Princess Katherine Stewart (daughter of Robert II King of Scots), and their son was Simon Logan.

Read all about Sir Robert's notorious grandson, deemed "one of the darkest characters of that dark age" on our page dedicated to all things Clan Logan.

Steven Logan has been very involved with the Scottish-Canadian community for many years now and we first met him during our tour of Canadian Highland games in 2019. He is the founder of Clan Logan Canada and the Clans Director at Montreal Highland Games and was one of few to be able to attend the 45th Montreal Highland Games in person during covid.

Steven Logan and Jason Baines at Montreal Highland Games

"The games were heavily restricted this year, primarily celebrated virtually across the world with thousands tuning in to witness Jason Baines breaking a new Guinness World Record by tossing 161 cabers in one hour! We are secretly hoping Jason might attempt to break his own record again next year and that we may also be able to watch this incredible feat in person!"

Now that April has come to an end, that doesn't mean our love for Clan Logan is over, so be sure to get in touch with us if you fancy chatting all things Clan Logan!