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Clan MacNaughton Tartan History

Clan MacNaughton originated in the Mormaer of Moray and has roots in the Pictish royal family though this clan has a tragic fall from grace in later years.

This clan descended from Pictish rulers from the Mormaer of Moray, which goes back to 1130. Their name at this time would have been Nectan, which meant crystal or clear. Their motto of ‘I hope in God’ is distinctly religious and is emblazoned with their ancestral castle and seaman’s rope.

The clan went through more than name changes over the years and their first appearance in the history books comes in 1297. The name was carried by three brothers and they presided over the Pass of Brander, which was allowed to them by Alexander III as their duty.

The MacNaughton clan expanded to the area of Loch Awe and as such became close to the infamous Campbell clan. Although these two were neighbours they went separate ways when supporting or defying Robert the Bruce. The MacNaughtons opposed the man and his army, which lead to a brutal fight at the Pass of Brander.

They continued to gain power in the centuries that followed but supporting French Huguenots in the 1300s. Their old foes the Campbells stepped in to slander the chief as a rebel and this lead to disaster for the clan. The next in line to the title did not have any power from the clan and simply took on the debts of his predecessors. Fighting on the side of the Jacobites was the final nail in this clan’s coffin, as they were forced to relinquish their lands after a bitter defeat. This is where the direct line ends and the title was passed to other members of the clan.

Their tartan is mainly red and is a vivid pattern for these clan members. The red is bisected by green and blue, although the latter is much darker, making a tri coloured pattern.

MacNaughton Tartan History

Clan MacNaughton originated in the Mormaer of Moray and has roots in the Pictish royal family though this clan has a tragic fall from grace in later years.

This clan descended from Pictish rulers from the Mormaer of Moray, which goes back to 1130. Their name at this time would have been Nectan, which meant crystal or clear. Their motto of ‘I hope in God’ is distinctly religious and is emblazoned with their ancestral castle and seaman’s rope.

The clan went through more than name changes over the years and their first appearance in the history books comes in 1297. The name was carried by three brothers and they presided over the Pass of Brander, which was allowed to them by Alexander III as their duty.

The MacNaughton clan expanded to the area of Loch Awe and as such became close to the infamous Campbell clan. Although these two were neighbours they went separate ways when supporting or defying Robert the Bruce. The MacNaughtons opposed the man and his army, which lead to a brutal fight at the Pass of Brander.

They continued to gain power in the centuries that followed but supporting French Huguenots in the 1300s. Their old foes the Campbells stepped in to slander the chief as a rebel and this lead to disaster for the clan. The next in line to the title did not have any power from the clan and simply took on the debts of his predecessors. Fighting on the side of the Jacobites was the final nail in this clan’s coffin, as they were forced to relinquish their lands after a bitter defeat. This is where the direct line ends and the title was passed to other members of the clan.

Their tartan is mainly red and is a vivid pattern for these clan members. The red is bisected by green and blue, although the latter is much darker, making a tri coloured pattern.

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