Scottish Clans
Scott Tartans & Clan
Many Scotts have gained fame for their eccentricity as well as their genius. The most famous Scott is Sir Walter Scott - the 19th century writer who is more or less responsible for Scotland's modern image, Michael Scot - a scholar of the middle ages often credited with wizardry and occult practices, David Scott - a noted Scottish painter of the first half of the 19th century and finally Sir John Scott of Scotstarvit - a leading literary figure of the 17th century.
Who Wears Scott 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.
- Buccleuch
- Geddes
- Laidlaw
- Langlands
- Napier
- Scot
- Scotte
- Scotten
- Schott
- Scoth
- Scutt
- Scotus
- Balwearie
Scott Tartans
17 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.
Explore the history of Clan Scott
How it all started
Territories
The Scott family can be traced back to the 12th century, when they settled in a small town called Peebles, around 20 miles outside of Edinburgh. The earliest recorded ‘Scott’ is Uchtred Filius Scott, whose name appeared on a charter in around 1120. They ruled the lands in Peeblesshire so effectively that they were soon restless and became eager to expand their territory.
They journeyed further into the Borders, acquiring land in Roxburghshire, Eskdale, and Liddesdale. In the 13th century, one of Uchtred’s descendants, Sir Richard Scott, married the heiress of Murthockstone, which secured him the land of Rankilburn, strengthening the Scott’s hold over the Borders even further. Sir Richard also gained the prestigious title of Ranger of Ettrick Forest and built a grand home at Buccleuch, after which the estates became known by the Buccleuch name. This made Sir Richard the first Lord of Buccleuch.
In the 1400s, the 6th Lord of Buccleuch showed the striving and ambitious nature typical of Clan Scott by trading Murthockstone for the more profitable land of Branxholm, and by the end of the 15th century, the Scotts were undeniably among the most powerful and fearsome of the Border Clans.
Clan Chief
The current Clan Scott Chief is Richard Walter John Montagu-Douglas-Scott, the 10th Duke of Buccleuch and the 12th Duke of Queensberry. The Chief has a number of links to royalty, illustrating the power of the Scott name! He was born in 1954, and counted Princess Margaret as one of his godparents. He is also a direct descendant of Sir James Scott, who was the eldest illegitimate son of King Charles the 2nd.
Scott was educated at Eton and then Oxford, where he achieved a Bachelor of Arts, graduating in 1976. In 1981 he married Lady Elizabeth Marian Frances Kerr, the daughter of the 12th Marquess of Lothian, with whom he has 4 children. The Chief currently lives at Drumlanrig Castle and also owns Bowhill House, Boughton House, and Dalkeith Palace!
Dalkeith Palace
Dalkeith Palace is the historic seat of Clan Scott. It is located in Dalkeith, just outside of Edinburgh and the house that stands today was built in 1702. However, before the palace was built a medieval castle stood in its place, the castle was built in the 12th Century for Clan Graham but was passed over to Clan Douglas in the 14th Century. The Scott family purchased the castle from the Douglas family in 1642. After Francis Scott, 2nd Earl of Buccleuch and Duke of Monmouth was executed for treason his widow commissioned James Smith to re-design the castle into the Palace we know it as today.
Do Clan Scott have a Plant Badge?
Clan Scott’s plant badge is the blaeberry, also known as the bilberry, which grows abundantly across moorlands and woodlands in Scotland. It was particularly easy to find in the Ettrick Forrest, a key part of Scott territory, which perhaps inspired their choice!
The blaeberry was also believed to have spiritual, and even medical, uses. It was thought that a good harvest of blaeberries meant your other crops would thrive throughout the year, and that eating the delicious fruit from the plant would strengthen your heart and immune system. We can imagine this would have been highly appealing to a family of active and hardy warriors, who deeply valued their health and strength!
Do clan Scott have a clan badge?
The Clan Crest was a sacred symbol for powerful Scottish families, it served as a way for clan members to show allegiance to each-other and their chief. Clan Scott’s crest features a stag shown in the act of walking, with gold horns and hooves. It is surrounded by a leather belt bearing the Clan’s motto, ‘Amo,’ meaning ‘I love.’
Clan Scott Societies
There are 2 active Clan Scott Societies currently operating, so you shouldn’t struggle finding a group to join if you’re looking to connect with your clan heritage! Both societies list their principal aims as uniting Scott kinsmen and promoting the family’s heritage and interests across the globe.
You can discover Clan Scott’s North American Society here.
Alternatively, you can find out more about the Clan Scott Scotland Society, including how to join, on their website here. They are endorsed by the Duke of Buccleuch himself, so we can’t think of anywhere better to go to explore your Scott history!
They have been operating since 1971 and do excellent work to preserve and promote Clan Scott culture; they support members with carrying out genealogical research, facilitate cultural exchanges between the United States and Scotland, and even offer scholarships to encourage students to engage with Scottish history, art, and literature!
Is Clan Scott connected to a Scottish Loch?
Clan Scott have links to the picturesque Loch Katrine, which is located in the Trossachs, just east of Loch Lomond. It is about 8 miles long and 1 mile wide and covers an area of over 3000 acres. The legendary Sir Walter Scott wrote one of his most famous works, The Lady of the Lake, after visiting this enchanting place in 1809. He was inspired to use the loch as the setting for his poem, and in doing so cemented its' place as an iconic Scottish landmark forever.
As well as playing a key role in Scott's canonical literature, Loch Katrine also contributed to the development of Glasgow in the 19th century. In 1859, 2 aqueducts were built that allowed the loch to function as a fresh water source for the city.
Clan Scott Battles
Like all respectable powerful clans, the Scotts held a number of intense rivalries with their neighbouring families, most notably, the Kerrs. They would gather and battle frequently at Bellendean, but their bloodiest encounters often involved other parties. One such occasion came about when the two clans were enlisted to take sides in a royal feud. In 1526, King James the 5th of Scotland was captured and imprisoned by his stepfather, Archibald Douglas.
The King was enraged and managed to sneakily get word to Sir Walter Scott of Buccleuch, appealing to him for help. Sir Walter rose to the occasion, organising an army of almost 1000 to try to free James. However, Scott found that Douglas’ men, mainly comprised of members of Clan Kerr who were guarding the King, put up a valiant fight. The Scotts were forced to withdraw, but not before one of their disgruntled soldiers killed Andrew Kerr of Cessford, igniting fury in their rival clan. Surprisingly, there was an uncharacteristic attempt for the two families to settle this quarrel peacefully, when the two chiefs met in 1529 and agreed that Sir Walter Scott would go on a pilgrimage to pay homage to the soul of the murdered Andrew Kerr.
Perhaps less surprisingly, this truce did not hold! In 1552, Walter Scott was walking in Edinburgh when he encountered a group of angry Kerrs. One took the opportunity to strike while Scott was alone and unprotected, and stabbed him with a sword yelling ‘Strike for they father’s sake,’ referencing the murder of Andrew Kerr 25 years earlier. The feud finally came to an uneasy end in 1564 when another Sir Walter Scott of Branxholm and Sir Walter Kerr of Cessford met to make an agreement. Clan Scott vowed that they would not seek revenge against the Kerrs for the attack in Edinburgh, whilst Clan Kerr in turn promised not to go after the Scotts for any previous slights.
Do Clan Scott have a Coat of Arms
A coat of arms is a heraldic badge worn to show allegiance to your clan, your fellow clan members, and your chief.
Clan Scott's arms are particularly detailed and striking. At the top, a golden eagle stands on a silver helmet, holding a red rose in it's beak. Underneath this is a golden shield, decorated with a rose at the top, a star at the bottom, and a blue sash across the middle, studded with two golden moons, and one gold star. To the left, underneath the shield, is a mermaid, who also holds a red rose in her hand. To the right, a border collie stands on it's hind legs.
The Duke of Buccleuch Art Collection
The Duke of Buccleuch Art Collection holds great significance; it is comprised of over 500 paintings and a vast variety of furniture, jewellery, armour, and much more! In 2008, a rare portrait of Queen Elizabeth the 1st was discovered in the collection at Boughton House, delighting the art world.
Photo Credit: Drumlanrig Castle
Michael Scott | Wizard of Balwearie
Clan Scott's history is rich with tales of wizardry and the paranormal. Micheal Scott, born in 1175, was known as the Wizard of Balwearie. He studied mathematics, philosophy, and theology at the University of Oxford, before beginning a rather unconventional career! He was supposedly headhunted by Frederick II, the Holy Roman Emperor, to be his personal astrologer.
There are many tales about his supernatural powers; one of the most legendary being the story of how he predicted his own death. The story goes that Scott foresaw that he would be killed by a small stone falling on his head, so he started to wear a protective hat at all times. Supposedly, one day he was taking mass, so took off his hat, and was immediately struck on the head by a falling stone. Shortly after, he became ill and died, in exactly the manner that he had predicted. He was also the only Scottish person to be mentioned in Dante's Inferno!
Clan Scott
Famous Faces
Clan Scott are blessed with a wealth of creative and high achieving members! If you have any Scott blood, we hope you'll feel inspired this month reading about just some of the great accomplishments of your peers, and the way they have shaped culture across the globe. Get stuck in to meet a wizard, a poet, an architect, and a film-maker!
Clan Scott
Tartan Poll
With 20 tartan variants to choose from, the Scott Clan is truly spoilt for choice. But which is your favourite Scott Clan Tartan? Vote now!
Top 5 Facts
Learn about the earliest recorded Scott and what was discovered in the Duke of Buccleuch Art Collection that caused a stir in the art world.
The Castles of Clan Scott
Come with us to discover the Clan’s historic seat of Dalkeith Palace and it's frequent royal visitors, Drumlanrig Castle, with its host of goulish residents, and Bowhill House, complete with its stunning art collection.
The Story of Clan Scott
This month we are delving into all things Clan Scott, a powerful, high achieving clan with a talent for forging powerful connections. Join Lauren and Emma as they explore the history of Dalkeith Palace and haunting stories of Drumlanrig Castle. The Scott’s family history is remarkably rich with intriguing tales of wizardry and the paranormal, which includes Sir Walter Scott, arguably the most famous Scott of all!
Clan Scott
Quiz
How much do you think you know about Clan Scott? Enough to get all 12 questions correct? Test your Scott Clan Knowledge now!
Clan Motto: Amo (I Love)
From the start
Scott Clan Origins & History
Where does the name Scott come from?
The name ‘Scott’ comes from the Latin word ‘Scotti,’ which originally was used to refer to the Irish Celts, and later became associated with Gaelic people more generally. Interestingly however, in George Black’s touchstone book ‘the Surnames of Scotland,’ he notes that the earliest recorded Scott, ‘Uchtred Filius’ had a notably Saxon sounding name, suggesting that the family perhaps had roots in Northumberland.
Does Clan Scott have a war cry?
Clan Scott’s war cry was ‘A Bellendaine,’ referring to the spot the family would meet to battle with rival clans at Bellendean in Roxburghshire. We can imagine hearing this terrifying clan yell in unison would have sent a shiver down any enemy’s spines!
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