In 1010 a Danish general named Camus was slain by a Chatti warrior. King Malcolm the third, impressed with the valour of the warrior, dipped his fingers into the open wound of the general before proceeding to paint three stripes down the warriors shield. The three red stripes have been used on Clan Keith's crest ever since.
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.
Each tartan can have multiple variations, the most common of which are Ancient, Modern, Weathered, Hunting and Dress
About tartan variations
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.
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.
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.
The Modern tartans are often the more subtle combinations such as the classic Black Watch Modern
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.
Some mills refer to the Weathered tartans as Muted.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The family came from the Lothians, but a combination of charm and friends in high places soon allowed them to expand their lands.
Robert I (the Bruce) gifted a royal forest in Aberdeen called Hallforest to Sir Robert Keith in 1308, to thank him for his deep loyalty as a friend.
Later in the 1300s, Sir William Keith acquired grand estates in Buchan and the Mearns by marrying the daughter of Sir Alexander Fraser. These estates included the famous Dunnottar Castle which then became the principal seat of Keith Earls.
Sir William’s brother, John, enjoyed an equally profitable marriage, wedding the heiress of the great Cheyne family, securing the expansive Inverugie estate, complete with castle, for the Keiths!
The Current Clan Chief is James William Falconer Keith, 14th Earl of Kintore. He was born on the 15th April, 1976 and succeeded his father on the 30th October, 2004.
He holds an impressive list of other titles including Lord Keith of Inverurie and Keith Hall, Viscount Stonehaven and Baron Stonehaven!
The family took their name from the lands of Keith in East Lothian. The exact significance is unknown, but it is likely to refer to a wood, forest, or another similarly rugged landscape, honouring the Keiths’ impressive command over their wild territories.
The story of how the Clan came to inhabit the East Lothian lands is rich with bravery, battle, and excitement.
In 1010, King Malcolm II of Scotland was fighting fiercely against the Danish army when a warrior from the Chatti tribe heroically came to his aid, killing the enemy’s General, Camus, with one well-placed stab of the sword.
The King was equally grateful as he was impressed, so he awarded the warrior with the name Marbhachair Chamuis, meaning the Camus Slayer, and the lands of Keith.
Years later, a Norman knight and adventurer called Hervey was exploring in Scotland, when he came across these enchanting lands. His heart was not only captured by the stunning landscape, however, he also found himself entranced by Marbhachair’s heiress.
The pair married and in 1150 King David I granted them a charter for the local area, making Hervey the earliest recorded originator of Clan Keith.
His striving and ambitious nature set the tone for generations of the family to come, as he founded a church, secured a place in the royal court, and built a strong reputation as a bold adventurer!
Dunnottar Castle is located only a short drive away from Aberdeen in the North of Scotland and is the historic seat of Clan Keith. The Castle sits upon a cliff on the edge of the North Sea and it was occupied by the Keith family since 1392 when they swapped their lands of Struthers with Clan Lindsay for Dunnottar. Once the Keiths held the lands of Dunnottar they completed the construction of the buildings, including the Tower House which the ruins of can still be seen today.
The Keith family held the Castle until the 18th Century, when George Keith fought with the Jacobites and his Castle was forfeited to the crown. The Castle has been at the forefront of many significant moments in Scottish History, including the death of Donald, King of Scots in 900 and at one point it was home to the Honours of Scotland (Crown Jewels of Scotland). The Castle was taken over in 1919 when it was restored and opened for public viewing.
Scottish Clans wore plant badges to help them recognise their fellow clansmen in battle, as well as to represent their territory, which they would defend fearlessly.
The Keith’s plant badge is the striking white rose. It seems only right that such a powerful clan has one of Scotland’s most iconic native flowers as their emblem!
The rose is widely celebrated as a Scottish symbol and has been commemorated in many songs and poems, including the following poignant lines by Hugh MacDiarmid:
“The rose of all the world is not for me
I want for my part
Only the little white rose of Scotland
That smells sharp and sweet – and breaks the heart.”
The Keiths are one of Scotland’s wealthiest and most powerful clans. The 5th Earl was even the richest nobleman in the country!
The clan crest is a sacred symbol for powerful Scottish families, as by wearing it clan members can visually show their loyalty to one another.
The most common Keith crest is described as ‘sinister out of a crest coronet or, a roebuck’s head proper, attired with tynes.’
This means that it displays a deer’s head with antlers in natural colours rising out of a golden crown. The crest is also often surrounded by the clan motto ‘Veritas Vincit.’
Clan Keith’s motto is Veritas Vincit, or Truth Conquers. It is interesting that despite their undeniable and well-documented physical strength, the Keiths decided to instead outline their strong moral values in this cry.
Perhaps their firmly held belief system is what helped give the family an edge over rival clans and secured them their position as one of the noblest and richest families in Scotland!
A coat of arms is also sometimes referred to as a heraldic badge and is worn to show allegiance to a particular Clan.
The Keiths' Arms is described as ‘Argent, on a chief, Gules, three pallets, Or.’ This means it is a silver shield with a red horizontal band at the top displaying three gold stripes.
The Keith family held the title of King’s Marischal from 1159 up to 1715. At first the Marischal’s duties were basically identical to those of a farrier, but the role expanded greatly with time.
By the medieval period, the Marischal was expected to manage the king’s hall, administer military justice, and organise tournaments.
It was a highly esteemed position and held great importance in ceremonial events; the Marischal even rode to the direct left of the King in official outings!
Clan Keith’s plaid features green as its main colour, complimented by a black check pattern. At ScotlandShop we stock two variations: Keith Ancient and Keith Modern.
The ancient version showcases softer colours, including a mossy green and a slate grey, while the modern option is dark and bold, made up of a deep green and striking dark blue and black.
Purchasing your own Keith plaid is a great way to connect with your clan ancestors, and with our extensive options you won’t struggle for choice! How about a traditional kilt, some decorative ribbon, or a dapper flat cap?
Or if you pride yourself on your individuality, why not treat yourself to a cutting of 100% wool fabric and create your own, unique Keith furnishings or clothes!
Clan Keith has one accolade that not many other clans can boast of: an official pipe band!
The Keith Highlanders Pipe Band was formed in 1952 in Seattle, Washington.
They have thrilled many with their performances both in the US and in Scotland. In 2008, they even came 3rd in the World Pipe Band Championships!
If you happen to live in the Seattle area and have an interest in honouring your heritage with music, check out their website here and consider joining!
Image source: Keith Highlanders Pipe Band
If you are a resident of the USA or New Zealand, you’ll be pleased to hear that there is a thriving Clan Keith Society for you to join!
You can find out how to join the US Society on their webpage here. They describe their mission as ‘promoting education and fellowship for individuals living in the United States whose ancestry traces back to one of Scotland’s oldest and most illustrious families.’
The society is a not-for-profit organisation, and membership fees are their main form of funding, so if you sign up you will know that you are making a great contribution to continuing Clan Keith’s legacy!
If you live in New Zealand, you can discover your local Clan Keith Society here. They have been working hard to foster community among members of the Clan for over a decade, so we’re sure you’d be in safe hands!
The stunning River Dee has a grislier past than its idyllic appearance would suggest!
Stretching 81 miles from the Cairngorms to where it joins the North Sea in Aberdeen, it once formed a key part of the battleground between the feuding Clan Keith and Clan Irvine.
One particularly notable battle took place in the early 15th century, when the two families met on the north bank of the Dee.
Initially, the Keiths and the Irvines both fought ferociously, neither one managing to gain any significant ground on the other. However, eventually, the Irvines began to pull ahead, slaying many members of Keith Clan in quick succession.
Finding themselves significantly weakened by the loss of men, the Keiths attempted to escape by crossing the River Dee, but sadly found themselves in even more trouble.
While struggling in the murky water, they became easy targets for the observing Clan Irvine, and so many were killed that this area of the river later came to be known as ‘Keith’s Pot.’
The leader of the Keiths also met a sorry demise in the river. He valiantly summoned his last remaining strength to climb up onto an isolated rock that emerged from the water, attempting to gain a moment’s respite. Unluckily though, his vigor did not pay off, as he was hit with an Irvine arrow. This rock is now known as ‘The Keith Stone,’ in an eery tribute to the violence it once witnessed.
The River Dee also played witness to the eventual reconciliation between the clans! In 2002, the 13th Earl of Kintore, previously the Chief of Clan Keith, signed a peace treaty with the Chief of Clan Irvine, holding a poignant ceremony on the banks of the water and ending their long-lasting feud.
Image Source: Visit Scotland / Paul Tomkins
Clan Keith were key players in the wars of Scottish Independence in the 1300s. They were loyal allies of Robert the Bruce and fought ferociously alongside him to defeat the English. They were particularly heroic in the infamous Battle of Bannockburn of 1314, where they used their expert command of the land to force the English into marshy, uneven areas of the battlefield, making them vulnerable to attack. From this point, the Scots easily forged their way to victory!
There are two Clan Keith tartans to choose from - vote in our poll to let us know your favourite of the two!
Learn about the clan’s plant badge, their royal appointment and their involvement in the wars of Scottish Independence!
Clan Keith is blessed with a wealth of distinguished and talented members! From an Edinburgh-based lawyer and scholar to several dazzling stars of the entertainment world, we hope you’ll feel inspired reading about just some of the achievements of this great clan.
As one of Scotland’s wealthiest and grandest families, Clan Keith have held numerous stunning castles over the years. Come along with us to discover the jaw-dropping sites your ancestors once called home.
This month we are delving into all things Clan Keith!
Join John and Carrie as they explore the clan’s history, historical sites like Dunnottar Castle, and famous Keiths with fascinating stories.
How much do you think you know about Clan Keith? Enough to get all 12 questions correct?
Test your Keith Clan Knowledge now!
Clan Motto: Veritas Vincit (Truth Conquers)