Scottish Clans
Colquhoun Tartans & Clan
In the seventeenth century, Sir John Colquhoun was accused of running off with his wife's sister and also of using witchcraft and sorcery. Sir John did not answer these charges and his lands were forfeited.
Who Wears Colquhoun 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.
- Cowan
- Cowen
- Ingram
- Kilpatrick
- King
- Kirkpatrick
- Laing
- MacAchounich
- MacClintock
- MacLintock
- MacMains
- MacManus
- MacOwan
- McCowan
- MacLinden
- McLintock
- McMain
- McManus
- McOwan
Colquhoun Tartans
2 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
Colquhoun Clan Origins & History
Explore the history of Clan Colquhoun
How it all started
Territories
Clan Colquhoun's ancestral lands have been located on the scenic shores of Loch Lomond since the reign of Alexander II, when Umphredus de Kilpatrick was granted the estates of Auchentorily, Dumbuck, and Colquhoun by Malduin, Earl of Lennox.
The Clan’s strength and character meant their influence quickly grew, which in turn helped the family to expand their territory.
In 1368, Sir Robert of Colquhoun married the heiress of the Lord of Luss, securing the Barony of Luss and solidifying the Colquhoun’s position in the region.
Their renown only continued to grow, and in 1457, Sir John Colquhoun was granted a charter which incorporated all his lands into the free barony of Luss, with the forests of Rosschu and Glenmachome, and the lands of Kilmardinny, following a year later.
Clan Chief
The current chief of Clan Colquhoun is Sir Malcolm Rory Colquhoun of Luss, the 31st Chief of Colquhoun and 33rd of Luss. He is married to Katharine, Lady Colquhoun, and chairs the Luss Estates. In 2012, he opened the Loch Lomond Arms Hotel, where he is committed to supporting both local businesses and the environment by sourcing local, seasonal produce. He has also invested in green hydro-electric energy to make the Colquhoun estates as sustainable as possible.
Where does the name Colquhoun come from?
Clan Colquhoun’s name is thought to have derived from the Gaelic, ‘cuil chumhann,’ meaning ‘narrow corner.’ This is likely to honour the landscape of their ancestral territories.
The original Colquhoun lands
On the banks of the river Clyde near the village of Kilpatrick stands the remains of Dunglass Castle, well positioned to control the movement of shipping on the river. Built in around 1380, Sir John Colquhoun lived here from 1439 -1478 and the north-west turret has chequered corbelling and bears the Colquhoun arms.Clan Colquhoun's Musical Talents
Clan Colquhoun have enviable musical talents!
The Helensburgh Clan Colquhoun Pipe Band is one of Scotland’s oldest pipe bands. Formed in 1913, they have been proudly keeping this Celtic tradition alive for over 100 years. They frequently perform at local events and Highland games, and take particular pride in fostering young talent, helping preserve traditional Scottish music for future generations.
Do Clan Colquhoun have a Plant Badge?
The plant badge was an important symbol for clans, as it represented kinship with fellow clan members, and loyalty to the chief.
Men would often wear a sprig of the plant attached to their hat, while women would wear it attached to the shoulder of their sash.
Clan Colquhoun’s plant badge is hazel, which is deeply respected in Celtic mythology as the tree of wisdom and knowledge. According to an ancient Irish legend, 9 hazelnuts once fell into a pool and were eaten by a salmon. The fish then developed 9 bright spots on its scales. Later on, a young boy named Fionn mac Cumhaill was preparing the salmon in a meal for his master, when he was tempted to try a bite himself. With just one small taste, he absorbed mythical knowledge from the hazelnuts the fish had eaten, and grew up to become an iconic figure in Irish legends.
As well as wisdom, hazel is also thought to have protective qualities, so pilgrims and shepherds would often take a hazel staff on long journeys.
What is Clan Colquhoun's War Cry?
Clan Colquhoun’s war cry is ‘Cnoc Elachan,’ or ‘hill of the black willow,’ thought to reference the spot in Rossdhu where the clan would rally when called to battle. We’re sure this must have been a chilling sound for any nearby opponents!
Clan Colquhoun’s motto is ‘Si Je Puis,’ or ‘If I can,’ and is said to originate with the great capture of Dumbarton Castle.
In 1424, King James I was released from 18 years captivity in England, and granted the Chief of Clan Colquhoun, Sir John, the highly prestigious role of Keeper of Dumbarton Castle.
The only catch was that, first, Colquhoun would have to capture the castle, claiming it back from the Earls of Lennox. Supposedly, he smiled at the king, declaring ‘Si Je Puis,’ before launching a prolonged siege, luring the men out by releasing a striking red stag at the castle gates.
The hungry soldiers are said to have left their stations to chase the stag, at which point, the Colquhouns seized Dumbarton.
Do Clan Colquhoun have a Crest?
Clan Colquhoun’s crest boasts a simple yet powerful image, ‘a hart’s head couped Gules, attired Argent,’ or the head of a red stag. It is often surrounded by the clan motto, ‘Si Je Puis.’ This pays tribute to the legend of how the clan won Dumbarton Castle from the Earls of Lennox by using a red stag to lure the Lennox soldiers away from their posts, allowing the Colquhouns to launch an ambush.
Do Clan Colquhoun have a Society?
If you are lucky enough to have Colquhoun heritage, you’ll be happy to know that there is a thriving society you can join to learn more about your ancestors and connect with fellow Colquhouns across the world!
The Clan Colquhoun International Society aims to promote, protect, and preserve the Colquhoun's highland heritage, the clan’s history, family and genealogical records, and make this information easily accessible.
The society attends international events such as Highland games, organises annual clan gatherings, and helps members with family research.
Membership is open to anyone who has the name Colquhoun, or any variant, but also those who have a vested interest in the clan and share the goals of the society.
Head to the Clan Colquhoun International Society website here to consider joining and supporting the great work that they do!
Are Clan Colquhoun connected to a Loch?
Clan Colquhoun’s ancestral lands are on the picturesque shores of the iconic Loch Lomond.
Loch Lomond is a freshwater loch that is often considered the boundary between the Lowlands and the Highlands of Scotland. It is the biggest lake in Great Britain by surface area, and has a maximum depth of about 190 metres. One striking element of Loch Lomond is the number of islands that rise out of its waters. The loch contains more than 30 islands, including Inchmurrin, the largest fresh-water island in the British Isles.
The Loch is also notable for the number of animals that make their home in the area. The surrounding hills boast black grouse, pine martens, red deer, mountain hares, and even golden eagles! The most unusual residents, however, are the red-necked wallabies that live on one of the loch’s islands, Inchconnachan. They are thought to have originally been brought to the island in the 1940s by Fiona Colquhoun, and have since established a self-sustaining population!
Loch Lomond is a popular leisure destination, attracting numerous hikers, water sports enthusiasts, and fishing fans each year. It is also famous for its feature in the song ‘The Bonnie Banks o’ Loch Lomond,’ a beloved traditional folk song. It has been recorded by numerous artists over the years, but the original author remains unknown. Some believe that it was written during the Jacobite rising of 1745 by a soldier on the long journey back home to Scotland.
Clan Colquhoun's Legendary Battle Ritual
Legend has it that, when Clan Colquhoun went to battle, the chief would dip a wooden cross in goat’s blood and send a man on a horse throughout their territory to brandish the cross while shouting the clan’s war cry.
Clan Battles
Clan Colquhoun had a ferocious and enduring feud with the neighbouring Clan Gregor. In 1603, Alasdair Macgregor raided Colquhoun territory with over 400 men. The Colquhoun chief acted quickly to strike back, gathering 500 men on foot and a further 300 on horseback, advancing up Glen Fruin to meet the Gregors.
However, Clan Gregor employed some canny tactics, splitting their force into 2, confusing Clan Colquhoun. While the Colquhouns met the main Gregor army, a second band of Gregors attacked from the rear, taking their enemy by surprise. The Colquhouns were driven into the Moss of Auchingaich and suffered great losses, with some believing that over 200 men were killed.
The slaughter outraged King James IV, and in April of 1603, the King issued an Act of Council outlawing Clan Gregor, forbidding anyone from bearing the Gregor name or carrying their arms.
The feud continued until the end of the 18th century, when the chief of Clan Colquhoun and the chief of Clan Gregor met at Glen Fruin, shaking hands where they once ferociously fought, and finally making peace.
Image credit: Brian D Osborne, CC BY-SA 2.0
Clan Colquhoun's Prestige
Clan Colquhoun were a highly respected family who held several prestigious positions. In 1474, Sir John Colquhoun served in the embassy of Edward IV of England, aiming to negotiate a marriage between the infant James IV and Edward's daughter, Cecilia.
Do Clan Colquhoun have a Tartan?
Owning your own tartan is a great way to feel more connected to both your fellow clanspeople and your great ancestors. Here at ScotlandShop, we stock 2 variations of Colquhoun tartan: modern and ancient. Each offers a different tone, with the modern boasting strong and bold colours, while the ancient displays charming mossy greens and sky blues.
Whether you are looking for a new kilt, a dress, or even a pair of stylish new shoes, please get in touch and we’d be happy to help you find your dream tartan.
The Fugitive
Sir John Colquhoun, the 11th Laird of Luss, was created a Baronet of Nova Scotia in 1625. However, in 1632, he was accused of using witchcraft and sorcery to trick his wife’s sister into running away with him. He became a fugitive and was forced to forfeit his lands. Luckily, his eldest son was able to reclaim the estates in 1646, securing the clan’s territory once again.
Clan Motto: Si Je Puis (If I can)
