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Celtic Radio Community > Scotland > Looking For Info


Posted by: Nancy-Raven 22-Jun-2005, 08:25 PM
First I want to say THANK YOU to Stoirmeil who finally found the answer what is the name of the tartan I have(MacLean hunting).Now the only problem I have is finding info on it.Clan .com and house of tartan didn't give this kind of info and on the scottish tartan authority you should be a member to have an access to this info.

I assume it's ok to wear it as a medieval scot costume.I'm learning scottish gaelic and I have a great respect for the tradition.Proof is as soon as I can I want to design and create my own tartan(a dream being true) so I will not take something which is not mine but for now I like this tartan and knowing history of it is important for me.Is there anyone who can help me about this?Is there a place where I can find freely this informations?

Posted by: Dalriada Dancer 23-Jun-2005, 06:36 AM
I have heard that in order to wear an official clan tartan, if you are not a member of the clan (i.e. Maclean would be your actual last name, or married into it, ), or in the sept of the clan, proper request is "supposed" to be made of the current Clan Chief.

Most clans have official web sites and there is contact information on them. That's how I would go about it if it was a great concern. It does show respect and you just might make some great contacts through it! biggrin.gif

Posted by: stoirmeil 23-Jun-2005, 07:01 AM
QUOTE (Dalriada Dancer @ 23-Jun-2005, 08:36 AM)
Most clans have official web sites and there is contact information on them. That's how I would go about it if it was a great concern. It does show respect and you just might make some great contacts through it! biggrin.gif

Here is a big MacLean clan site. Your tartan is displayed on it biggrin.gif
and so is the amazing castle on Mull, which is worth a look all by itself. It seems like you might even be able to make contact through this site.
Good luck!

Posted by: stoirmeil 23-Jun-2005, 07:04 AM
Sorry, love. Forgot the link. (It's early for me unsure.gif ). I agree it's a nice idea to contact them, and who knows whom you might meet? Let me know if you get invited to the castle. . . biggrin.gif

http://www.maclean.org/

Posted by: Nancy-Raven 23-Jun-2005, 08:07 PM
Thanks Stoirmeil,
I will try to explain the situation and ask permission to wear the tartan.I will give you some news.I feel a bit nervous,well they could not answer or the worst thing they will say no or I should married a MacLean!

Posted by: Monarchs Own 24-Jun-2005, 07:55 PM
Here is some information on the MacLean Clan and it's septs. Check it out. Hope it's helpful.

The clan MacLean's extensive lands included the islands of Mull, Tiree, Coll and Islay, as well as mainland Morvern and Lochaber...


The Clan MacLean


Branches: Duart, Tiree, Coll, Islay

Arms: Quaterly, 1st, Argent, a rock Gules; 2nd, Argent, a dexter hand fesswise couped Gules holding a cross crosslet fitchée in pale Azure; 3rd, Or, a lymphad, oars in saltire, sails furled Sable, flagged Gules; 4th, Argent, a salmon naiant Proper, in chief two eagles' heads erased respectant Gules.

Badge: A tower embattled, Argent

Motto: Virtue Mine Honour

Gaelic Name: MacGhille Eoin

Tartans: MacLean of Duart; MacLean, hunting

Septs: Beath, Beaton, Bey, Black, Gillan, Gilland, Gillian, Gillon, Gilzean, Huie, Lean, MacBay, MacBeath, MacBeth, MacBey, MacBheath, MacClane, MacClean, MacCormick, MacFadyen, MacFadzean, MacFayden, MacFetridge, MacGillivray, MacGillivra, MacIldowie, MacIlduff, Macilduy, MacIlvora, MacLaine, MacLergan, MacPhadden, MacRankin, MacVay, MacVeagh, MacVey, Padon, Paton, Patten, Patton, Peden, Ranken, Rankine.

The clan MacLean's extensive lands included the islands of Mull, Tiree, Coll and Islay, as well as mainland Morvern and Lochaber.

As the clan expanded, it split into a number of different branches, including the MacLeans of Coll and the MacLeans of Ardgour.

Tradition gives the Clan Gillean as coming from the neighbourhood of Scone. The most senior of these, were the Maclaines of of Lochbuie on Mull, descended from Hector, the brother of Lachlan of Duart (despite the variation in spelling) and often disputed their right to the chiefship with the MacLeans of Duart, arguing that Hector was the elder brother.

However, Lachlan of Duart had not been given the nickname of "the wily one" for nothing, and his successors proved that they, too, knew their way around the political scene.

Lachlan's son, Hector, managed to wangle a safe passage through England from Henry IV so that he could visit the imprisoned Scottish King James I.

Another Lachlan chief was a special agent for Queen Elizabeth I of England in the 16th century and tried to bargain with her, threatening to use Highland mercenaries to help the Irish rebels. He was killed in 1598 and his sons massacred the people of Islay in revenge. The MacLeans eventually divided into four branch Clans which are:
MacLeans of Duart

MacLeans of Ardgour

MacLeans of Coll

MacLaines of Lochbuie

The MacLaines of Lochbuie and the MacLeans of Duart, seven hundred men all told, joined the Marquis of Montrose in time for the Battle of Kilsyth in 1645.
The chief of the MacLeans of Coll emigrated to South Africa in 1848, leaving the Georgian house where he had entertained Dr. Johnson and James Boswell on their Highland tour to become derelict.

Sir Fitzroy MacLean, one of the founding members of the SAS in Great Britain, as well also a politician, writer and epic traveller, his exploits that included parachuting into Nazi-occupied Yugoslavia as British Prime Minister Winston Churchill's personal envoy. A friend of Ian Fleming, author of the James Bond series, Sir Fitzroy MacLean refused to comment on persistent rumors that he was the model for agent 007.

Today the son of the 27th clan chief, Lord MacLean, a life peer, Lord Chamberlain to Her Majesty's Household, and, from 1959 to 1975, Chief Scout of the Commonwealth, lives in Duart Castle, though only because his grandfather, Sir Fitzroy MacLean, who lived to be 101 years old, bought back and restored the ancient ruins in 1912. Lord MacLean died a few years ago, the Chief now is his son Lachlan - Sir Lachlan MacLean of Duart and Morven Bt, 28th Chief of Clan Gillean.

Duart Castle is the seat of the Chiefs.

Source: www.tartans.com

Posted by: Avonlea22 25-Jun-2005, 02:17 AM
You do not need permission to wear the tartan. If you don't feel you want to ask, then don't. Tartan choice, except for a very few, is completely up to you. Wear what you want.

Posted by: Nancy-Raven 27-Jun-2005, 04:31 PM
I take a look on the MacLean site , not a lot of info .There is differents representant in different country as I understand so I contact the responsible here in Quebec.I think it was thursday but I didn't get an answer.I kindly ask him if it was ok to wear the tartan since I choose to be a scot in medieval re-enacting and said I would like to have an answer doesn't matter if it was no but at least to know what he think about it and will not 100% in peace with my self until I know.I say I have great respect for the tradition and asking permission for me was important.And it's true,I think if I didn't get an answer next week I will try again or I will contact the responsible in Scotland.I just want to be sure that no MacLean will be angry after me if I saw one when I wear their tartan.

Thanks for the info Monarchs own.

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