Origins of the Maclean clan on the Isle of Jura

Although the Maclean clan origin appears to be back in the Moray area of the north eastern Scottish Highlands the Maclean clan have been involved with the Isle of Jura for longer than any other clan (other than the MacDonalds).

It is thought that the Macleans were one of the Scottish clans moved to the Isle of Jura during 1161 by Malcolm IV King of Scotland in order to break up the threatening power structures that could have lead to him losing his kingdom.

However other records suggest that the Maclean clan has been associated since its earliest days with the Isle of Mull — an island visible from the Isle of Jura. The Maclean clan were always recorded as being expert seamen and their war galleys would have been landing on Isle of Jura and nearby islands.

The origin of the Maclean clan is disputed so we will give both versions to make sure we have the right one.

The Maclean Clan origins part one

The Maclean clan is said by some to be of Norman or Italian origin and having come through the Fitzgeralds of Ireland - one of whom was also reckoned to the founder of the Clan Mackenzie. The Fitzgeralds are said to have been descended from Seignoir Giralde who was one of the principal officers who came across with William the Conqueror in 1066. However records from the conquest times show little evidence of the existence of Giralde at that time.

The painting on the right hand side is of a Maclean Clan Chief by R R MacIan for "The Costumes of the Clans" published in 1845-47.

The Maclean Clan origins part two

The second (or Celtic) version of the Maclean clan origin suggests that in the or 13th century that Gillean or Gill-eoin meaning young man) was returning from hunting on Ben Tulla when he lost his way in fog. After a few days of growing weaker and weaker he hung his battle-axe on a laurel tree to mark his final resting place under a cypress bush. However friends found him before he actually died and took him home to recover fully. The axe, laurel and cypress have since been adopted by one of the branches of the Maclean clan in their own crest. Gillean had previously been acknowledged as being a superior warrior having fought at the battle of Largs against the Vikings in 1263 and had became known as "Gilleathain na Tuaighe" (Gillean of the Battleaxe).

Note: as the Gaelic language had not been fully developed as one standard written language by that time different spellings of the name have been found. In these writings we tend to use the most common format found today.

Whichever version of the orgin of the Maclean clan is true it is obvious that the Macleans are a ancient and honourable Scottish clan.

Read more about the history of the Maclean Clan on our Maclean Clan Tour!

If you were asked the question “what is the most famous Scottish tradition” the wearing of tartan might be one of the first answers you give.

Almost everyone when asked that question would think about the Scottish kilt and the associated tartans that now symbolise Scotland throughout the world. Yet in the majority of cases they would be wrong in thinking of it as traditional wear!

A close examination of history will show us that although the Scots have indeed worn the kilt and the tartan from earliest times, the current style now bears very little resemblance to the original design. Indeed most of the now “traditional” tartans worn by Scottish Clans and sold throughout the world as such can only be traced back to the middle of the 18th century.

Historical Tartan Wear.

However history clearly shows that the kilt and tartans have been the true dress of Scots people for as long as their history has been recorded. Indeed there is still a sample of a small piece of Scottish brown and white tartan which was originally used as a stopper for an earthenware pot. This contained a treasure trove of silver coins and was found close to a Roman wall near Falkirk. This tartan cloth appears to have been buried in the third century.

There are also other references to tartans in various historic documents and paintings.

For example, a charter granted to Hector Maclean of Duart in 1587 for land in the neighbouring Isle of Islay details a rental payable in 60 ells of white, black and green colours. This is very similar to the pattern now being worn as the current Maclean Hunting tartan.

The Maclean Hunting tartan as described in the original charter dated 1587.

One account of the Battle of Killiecranke in 1689 described McDonnell’s men as being in a triple stripe. (However, it would be fair to assume that local communities would normally wear the cloth produced by their local weaver in quantities that would limit the number of different patterns. Invariably, most men of the district would be dressed in similar material.)

A modern Campbell of Argyle Tartan.
Note the current Campbell Clan Chief wears the 42nd (Black Watch) tartan
which is woven in brighter colours than that shown above.

Whilst the wearing of the Tartan was a distinctive form of identity enabling friend or foe to be recognised other forms of identity such as flags, standards, shields, feathers and plants. One story tells how a wounded clansman on the battlefield was nearly killed by his own side until he announced who he was to be told "we did not recognise you without your bonnet". Evidently the tartan of the kilt was not able to show to which clan he belonged.

A MacDonald of the Isles Hunting tartan. Generally hunting tartans are similar
but have darker colours which blend into the heather better.