Scottish Clans
MacIntosh Tartans & Clan
In 1263, during the Scottish–Norwegian War, Farquhar Mackintosh, the chief led his clan at the Battle of Largs against Haakon IV of Norway. He was later killed in a duel in 1265 leaving his infant son, Angus, as heir.
Who Wears MacIntosh 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.
- Adamson
- Ayson
- Cash
- Clark
- Clarke
- Clarkson
- Clerk
- Combe
- Combie
- Crearer
- Crerar
- Dallas
- Doles
- Eason
- Easson
- Eggie
- Eggo
- Elder
- Esson
- Glennie
- Glenny
- Hardie
- Hardy
- Heggie
- Higgison
- Hosick
- Hossack
- Leary
- MacAndrew
- MacArtney
- MacAy
- MacCaish
- MacCardney
- MacCartney
- MacCash
- MacCause
- MacChlery
- MacClair
- MacCleary
- MacColm
- MacComas
- MacCombe
- MacCombich
- MacCombie
- MacComie
- MacConchie
- MacFail
- MacFall
- MacFauld
- MacGlashan
- MacGlashen
- MacHardie
- MacHardy
- MacKeggie
- MacKieson
- MacKillican
- MacKintosh
- MacLear
- MacLeary
- MacLehose
- MacLerie
- MacNeven
- MacNiven
- MacOmie
- MacOmish
- MacPhail
- MacRitchitie
- MacTause
- MacTavish
- MacThomas
- MacVail
- Nairn
- Nairne
- Nevison
- Noble
- Paul
- Ripley
- Ritchie
- Sivewright
- Tarrell
- Taweson
- Tawse
- Thom
- Thoms
- Tosh
- Tosach
Macintosh Tartans
10 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
MacIntosh Clan Origins & History
Explore the history
How it all started
Territories
It is thought that the very first chief of Clan Mackintosh was Shaw Macduff, the son of Duncan, Earl of Fife. He was instrumental in building the Mackintosh’s lands and reputation, as he was a much-respected favourite of King Malcolm the 4th.
In fact, in 1160, the King even took Shaw with him to supress an uprising in Morayshire. He quelled the revolt so impressively that his Highness rewarded him with lands in the valley of the Findhorn River and named him constable of Inverness Castle.
From here, the family only increased their influence, acquiring castles in Rothiemurchus and Nairn.
Clan Mackintosh also continued to show a knack for making valuable connections as they advanced their name and grew their territories. In 1291, the 6th Chief, Angus, married Eva, the daughter of Dougal Dal, Chief of Clan Chattan. This alliance provided the Mackintoshes with lands along Glenloy and Loch Arkaig, stretching all the way down the south side of Loch Ness to Lochaber, nestled by the base of Ben Nevis.
Clan Chief
The present-day Mackintosh Chief is John Lachlan Mackintosh and has held the position since 1995. He has a few more responsibilities than your average clan Chief, as the Mackintosh leader historically also serves as the President of the Clan Chattan Association!
Where does the name Mackintosh come from?
The name Mackintosh comes from the Anglicised version of the Gaelic, Mac an Toisich. It is a patronymic surname, which means the prefix ‘mac’ means ‘the son of.’ This is often used to refer to a family’s hereditary name, but this grand clan went down a slightly more original, and some may say, showy, route! Mac an Toisich can be translated as son of the chief, or leader, reflecting the Mackintoshes’ deep rooted faith in their own power, strength, and right to rule!
Does Clan Mackintosh have a Plant Badge?
The plant badge is another significant emblem for clan members. In medieval society, men would attach a sprig of their clan’s plant to their cap, while women would fasten foliage to their sashes at the shoulder.
It is also theorised that warriors would wear their plant badge during battle as an easy way to signify their identity and make it easier to distinguish friend from foe in the chaos of combat.
Clan Mackintosh’s plant badge is the Red Whortleberry, which grows richly across Scotland in forests, on moorlands, and over hills.
It flowers from May to August, and then from October onwards, it produces an eye-catching red berry.
This striking plant has long held an important spot in Celtic symbolism and is said to represent endurance and resilience. Perfect for such a strong clan!
Do Clan Mackintosh have a Society?
If you are lucky enough to have Mackintosh blood and are looking for a way to connect with your clan kin, you’ll be happy to hear that there are several thriving societies you could join!
Clan Mackintosh of North America aim to preserve heritage and unite kinship by providing education about the family, offering regular updates on the latest Mackintosh news, and helping members to unite and socialise at clan events.
Find out more, including how to join, here.
As a Mackintosh, you are also eligible to join the Clan Chattan Association.
The Association aims to ‘encourage and maintain interest in history and traditions of the clan’ and ‘extend knowledge of the clan throughout the world,’ and they certainly seem to be succeeding!
They also produce an annual magazine full of clan news and history, and regularly attend significant clan events, including the Annual Culloden Memorial Service and the Inverness Highland Games.
Visit their website to learn more here.
Moy Castle
Moy Castle is the historic seat of Clan Mackintosh and it was located on an island in the middle of Loch Moy. The Moy lands were in the Mackintosh's possession for years, Moy Hall is currently the seat of the clan. Moy Castle was where Charles Edward Stuart was protected by the Mackintosh family when government troops came to capture him, this event is known as the Rout of Moy.
Do Clan Mackintosh have a Clan Crest?
The crest is an extremely important symbol for all clans. Members wear or display their crest as a way to visually demonstrate their loyalty and dedication to the family.
The Mackintosh crest is simple but striking! It is described as ‘a cat salient, proper’ meaning it shows a cat leaping up with its forelegs in the air, in the centre of a belt which is emblazoned with one of the clan mottos, ‘Touch Not the Cat Bot a Glove.’
‘Bot means ‘without’, and the ‘glove’ refers to the padded paw of a wildcat. The motto means to evoke the image of a cat without its’ soft paw or ‘glove,’ and instead with its sharp, fearsome claws unsheathed and ready to attack.
This threatening warning seems very apt for the notoriously fierce Clan Mackintosh!
Ferquhar Mackintosh
Clan Mackintosh have never been scared to face powerful opponents. In 1263, Ferquhar Mackintosh, the 5th chief, led his men at the Battle of Largs against the army of King Haakon IV of Norway. He survived this fearsome battle but was sadly killed in a duel 2 years later, leaving his infant son, Angus, as his heir.
Clan Battles
The Mackintoshes have always been a fierce bunch, not afraid to fight for their family, reputation, and honour.
They have had extended clashes with a number of neighbouring clans, though perhaps one of the most infamous is their feud with Clan Comyn.
In 1424, the Comyns invaded and took over swathes of Mackintosh land at Meikle Geddes and Rait. Malcolm, the Mackintosh Chief, was enraged by this, and retaliated by killing several Comyns.
This in turn triggered Clan Comyn to invade Moy and attempt to drown the Mackintoshes in the loch. Luckily for Clan Mackintosh, they were unsuccessful!
Around this time, Clan Comyn came up with an idea to end the feud once and for all; they invited the Mackintoshes to a ‘feast of reconciliation’ at the Castle of Rait, with a devious hidden agenda.
Clan Mackintosh, however, uncovered their secret plan. A popular legend says that a pair of star-crossed lovers conspired to save the Mackintoshes' lives. Supposedly, a young Comyn girl was in love with a boy from the Mackintosh clan and told him that the Comyns had planned to slaughter the Mackintoshes at the feast. The idea was that as soon as a black bull’s head was brought to the table, the Comyns would launch a fearsome attack against their ‘guests.’ The boy passed this on to his family, who quickly formed a cunning counter plan.
They arrived at the castle pretending to be happy and eager to smooth things over with the rival Comyn clan but were actually harbouring secret fury.
As the bull’s head appeared, the Mackintoshes leapt up and set against Clan Comyn, killing many of them, foiling their murderous plot, and escaping with their lives.
Image credit: Rait Castle by Jean Aldridge, CC BY-SA 2.0
Do Clan Mackintosh have a War Cry?
Clan Mackintosh has a short and snappy war cry: Loch Moigh!
This refers to their homeland and reflects their passionate dedication to defending their territory. We can imagine it would have had a spine-tingling effect on any enemies that came up against them!
Is Clan Mackintosh connected to a Loch?
Loch Moy, near Inverness, was the home of Clan Mackintosh’s first ancestral seat. The family’s grand castle must have made a striking sight, stood on a small island that rose from the centre of the water. Sadly, nowadays only ruins remain, but luckily you can still see other signs of the clan’s affinity with the loch on the island!
A 70’ tall granite obelisk was erected by Dame Margaret Mackintosh in 1824, in memory of her husband, Sir Aeneas Mackintosh, and still stands proudly to this day!
It is clear that the loch and the island hold a very special place for the Mackintoshes, and they have worked tirelessly and fearlessly over the years to protect it.
One particularly impressive example took place in 1746, when Lady Anne Farquharson-MacKintosh was hosting Prince Charles Edward Stuart at Moy Hall, when she learned that government troops were fast advancing on the land, wanting to capture the young royal.
Lady Anne was appalled that anyone would dare to enter her territory in this way, so she immediately came up with a cunning plan to stop them. She ordered some of her men to hide themselves in the bushes along the roadside, then set off their pistols when they saw the government troops approaching.
They performed this task with such ferocity that the attacking forces quickly turned on their heels and ran, convinced that they had come up against the entire Jacobite Army.
The event is now remembered as ‘the Route of Moy,’ and excellently shows the Mackintoshes' cunning, bravery, and protectiveness over their land!
Image credit: Dave Fergusson, CC BY-SA 2.0
Bonnie Prince Charlie
The modern-day clan seat, Moy Hall, contains a bed once slept in by Prince Charles Edward Stuart, or ‘Bonnie Prince Charlie!’
Do Clan Mackintosh have a Tartan?
Clan Mackintosh’s tartan features a striking mix of reds, greens, oranges, and yellows. We stock 10 different variations here at ScotlandShop, so you shouldn’t struggle to find one to suit you!
Owning your own clan tartan is a great way to connect with your heritage and your fellow clan members, and we have plenty of options to offer! Why not treat yourself to a stylish new dress, a beautiful reel of ribbon, or even some stunning wool fabric to fashion your own home furnishings with!
Renewing An Oath
Clan Mackintosh plays a leading role in the Clan Chattan Association, a group of clans who came together in the middle-ages for mutual benefit and protection.
The Mackintoshes have always put a great deal of effort into maintaining the Chattan’s success. For example, in the 17th century, it became clear that cracks were starting to show, and the MacPhersons in particular were feeling restless and frustrated. William Mackintosh of Benchar was quick to take action. In 1609, he called a gathering of all the families, and instructed the leader of each group to swear a renewed oath of union and loyalty to the Chattan alliance.
TOP 5 FACTS
Clan Mackintosh
Learn where the name Mackintosh came from, the first chief, their plant badge and more.
Clan mackintosh
Tartan Poll
There are ten Clan Mackintosh tartans to choose from - vote in our poll to let us know your favourite(s)!
Clan Motto: Touch Not The Cat Bot A Glove.
