Chattan Clan Crest
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CREST: A cat salient Proper MOTTO: Touch not the cat but a glove TRANSLATION: N/A VARIATIONS: N/A |
| Clan Chattan is a unique Scottish clan with a fascinating history. Unlike other Scottish clans, Clan Chattan was not a conventional clan. Instead, it evolved into a confederation or alliance of clans made up of various families. This confederation was known for the wildcat which figures prominently in their heraldry. | |
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| The origins of Clan Chattan are somewhat uncertain, but the most widely accepted theory suggests that they descended from Gillichattan Mor, the great servant of St Cattan. Around the time of Malcolm II, they became possessed of lands at Genloy and Loch Arkaig, where Torcastle became the chief’s seat. However, little is known about the clan until it became established around Lochaber at the close of the thirteenth century.
Prior to the fourteenth century, Clan Chattan appears to have been a conventional clan, but it evolved into a confederation or alliance of clans made up of various families. These families included the descendants of the original clan (Macpherson’s, Cattanach’s, Macbean’s, Macphail’s), Mackintosh’s and their cadet branches (Shaw, Farquharson’s, Ritchie’s, McCombie’s, MacThomas’), and families not originally related by blood (MacGillivary’s, Davidson’s, Maclean’s of Dochgarroch, MacQuee’s of Pollochaig, Macintyre’s of Badenoch, Macandrew’s). The Reformation and the general turmoil in Scotland after the downfall of Mary, Queen of Scots, was a difficult time for the confederation. In an attempt to consolidate their power, a gathering was summoned in 1609 by William Mackintosh of Benchar, the uncle of the seventeenth Mackintosh chief who was still in his minority, to meet at Termit, where the leaders of the families swore a bond of union and loyalty to Mackintosh. In the risings of 1715 and 1745, Clan Chattan declared for the Stuart’s, and suffered as a consequence. The Suppression of the Highlands after the Forty-five undermined the nature of the confederation, and its members largely sought independent destinies. The major families continued to dispute the vestiges of power, but no more violently than in heated debate favor the Court of the Lord Lyon, and Mackintosh was declared to be chief of the name of Mackintosh and of the Clan Chattan. The chiefs of Clan Mackintosh continued as captains of Clan Chattan until 1947, when Duncan Alexander Mackintosh of Torcastle was recognized by the Lord Lyon as thirty-first chief of Clan Chattan. Today, Clan Chattan continues to have a rich cultural heritage and is celebrated for its contributions to Scottish history. The present chief lives in Zimbabwe, but the spirit of Clan Chattan continues to be celebrated in Scotland and around the world. The history of Clan Chattan is a testament to the strength and resilience of Scottish culture and its people. |
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