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Old and rare Scottish tartans

Chapter 30: MAC LEAN: HUNTING.
By Donald William Stewart
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About This Book

The work offers a systematic survey of historic Scottish tartans, opening with a chronological introduction that compiles, verifies, and corrects references in earlier writings. It documents on-site examinations of portraits, miniatures, relics, and private collections, and reproduces selected setts by weaving fine silk samples to capture original colours and interlacing. Detailed descriptive notices accompany forty-five specimens, while notes review prior publications and manuscript sources. Prefatory material explains selection criteria, reproduction methods, and acknowledgements to the families and institutions that granted access.

MAC LEAN: HUNTING.

The traditions, songs, and records of the Mac Leans contain references of a much earlier date to this tartan than do any authenticated collection of, or published work on, particular designs. In a charter of 1587-8 granting Hector Mac Lean, heir of Duart, certain lands in Islay, the feu-duty is made payable in the form of sixty ells of cloth of white, black, and green colours. On the suppression of the religious houses the impost is again mentioned in connection with the assets of the churches. This very curious feu-duty exigible in tartan is dealt with, and the references contained in the charters printed in full, in the Introduction. The old Gaelic song, “Moladh rann do Shir Eachainn Mac Gillian Trath Dhubhairt,” has the following verse:—

Bu mhian leam am breacan tlàth,
Breacan uain’ ’us dubh ’us geal:
Datha sar Mhich-Ghillian am flath—
Sud an laoch a fhuair mo ghaol.

Dear to me the tartan plaid,
The plaid of green and black and white:
The colours of the brave Mac Lean—
The hero of my love.

The pattern is universally acknowledged by the clan.

XXIII. MAC LEAN: HUNTING