Scottish Clans Calendar 2025

Illustrations by R.R. McIan, reproduced from an original copy of The Clans of the Scottish Highlands Vol I & II by James Logan and Robert Ronald McIan.

Pro Rege et Patria

(For King and Country)

January

CAMERON

Sir Ewen Cameron, born in 1629, was one of the most renowned chiefs of this or any other clan, many of his adventures appearing more like romance than reality. From his youth he showed the strongest attachment to the Stewart family, and obtained repeated thanks for his loyal services. He was the only chief who never submitted to the authority of Cromwell.

The figure represents a young man dressed in the style prevalent in the middle of the last century when wigs were in use. The chief garment the Breacan, is worn, usually termed the belted plaid.

MACDONALD of GLENCO

These MacDonalds are descended from Iain Fraoch, brother of John, Lord of the Isles who flourished in 1346 and is said to have acquired Glenco in his own right through marrying his wife, daughter of Dugal Mac Eanruig.

The vengeance which was wreaked upon the inhabitants of Glenco in 1692 was an act of the most shocking barbarity which could disgrace a government. The figure depicts a young man plunged in deep and afflictive emotion, beside the sad memorial of the death of his ancestors. The jacket is of Lachdan or undyed cloth.

Few of the royal races of Europe can boast so long a line of unbroken ancestry as the Stewarts. There are many noble and distinguished families of the name in different parts of Scotland, those in the districts of Athole and of Appin were the most noted among the clans.

Piobeareachden - complimentary and valedictory, in honour of the royal descendents of their ancient kings, were played proudly by the pipers of the Clann Stiubhartich.

Virescit Vulnere Virtus

March

The old Rosses of Scotland were perfectly distinct from the others, and from their possessions lying in the extensive district so called, the presumption must be that it was their original seat. They are known in the Highlands by the appellation Clan Gille Andras, or the offspring of the follower of St Andrew, one of the ancient earls having devoted himself to that Saint.

The figure is in the doublet occasionally worn in the Highlands, the plaid in the half-belted form is the most graceful and useful now worn.

Virtutis gloria merces

(Glory is the reward of valour)

May

ROBERTSON

The common tradition has derived this clan from the MacDonalds, but recent investigations have led to proofs of a different origin. They are shown by these authorities to be descended from Duncan, eldest son of Malcolm II and Donnchadh, or Duncan, fourth in descent from Conan, son of Henry, the last of the ancient Earls of Athol who lived towards the end of the thirteenth century.

This pen and ink sketch is of the Highland gentleman who resided some time at the court of Louis XIV and adopted the style of dress, fashionable at that period.

June Tout Prest

Freskin, a chieftain in the army which suppressed an insurrection in 1130 of people in Murray was rewarded by the gift of a great tract of land where his family flourished for many generations. William who was sheriff of Invernarn died about 1220 and he is the first recorded with the name ‘de Moravia’. The Murrays can be justly proud of their nobility.

The figure wears a loose doublet of a dull red colour, produced from the lichen found on stones. The waistcoat is of a brighter red, and like the doublet has buttonholes worked in gold.

MACLEOD

Descendents of the ancient inhabitants of the Western Highlands, their principal and allodial possession was Glenelg, bestowed on Malcolm, son of Tormod, by a charter from David II.

The lands in Skye, where the Chiefs of this clan have so long resided, were obtained by marriage with a daughter of MacArailt, a Norwegian settler.

Virtue mine honour

August

MACLEAN

The MacLeans consider themselves derived from a hero said to be contemporary with Fergus II, who flourished in 404, whose name was Gilleän or Gilleòn. Eoin, surnamed dubh, from his dark complexion, is the first who is described in charters as settled in the Isle of Mull in the reign of David Bruce, 1330. The chiefs of the clan resided at the castle of Duart, built by Lachlan Cattanach about 1515.

In this illustration the belted plaid is given with the doublet of the time of Charles I, when ‘a slasht out coat’ was the general fashion among gentlemen.

E labore dulcedo

(From work comes pleasure)

September

MACINNES

Those who are called MacInnes are properly of the MacAon’ais clan but it is probably also that many families bear this name as a local appellation; Innis signifies an islet.

Morven, that district of Argyleshire celebrated in the poems of Ossian was the chief seat of this clan. The hereditary bowmen to the chiefs of MacKinnon were of the Clan Aoin’ais.

The figure represents a warrior assailed by archers, whose deadly missiles he wards off by the dexterous use of his targaid (targe, shield).

MACDUGAL

The MacDugals of Lorn are descended from the ancient princes of Argyle and the Isles, the name is derived from Dugal, son of the famous Somerled, who held sovereign power in these parts during a great portion of the twelfth century.

The figure is clothed in a flannel shirt and a simple feile-beag, he carries a Clai’ mòr (claymore) drawn from an original; it is five feet eight inches long and the pomel is heavily laden with lead, counterpoising the weight of the blade and rendering it easy to be wielded.

Buaidh no bas

October

Stand fast

November

GRANT of GLENMORISTON

The Lairds of Grant were crown chamberlains of the lordship of Urquhart, in which Glenmoriston was comprehended, and in 1509, the barony was granted to John, elder son of the chief, but as he died without issue, it reverted to the crown, and was bestowed on Grant of Ballandallach, who sold it in 1548, to John Grant of Culcabuck. The latter is thus the direct progenitor of the present Glenmoriston.

The figure is in the attitude of throwing the ball, at the commencement of the game of Camanachd or Shinnie (shinty). This exhilarating amusement is very popular among the highlanders.

CAMPBELL of ARGYLE

The founder of this clan is represented to have been a certain person styled De Campo Bello, who came to England with William the Conqueror, but in the Roll of Battle Abbey, which is a list of all the knights who composed that prince’s retinue, this name is not to be found, and its appearance in Scottish record is always in the form which it still retains.

The appelation is personal and is composed of the words cam, bent or arched and beul mouth.

The Campbells are a very numerous clan in the West Highlands most of Argyllshire being their property.

The Chief of seat of the Dukes of Argyle is at Inveraray, a splendid mansion in one of the most delightful situations.

December