The following article was taken from "A Journey to the Western Isles of Scotland" written by Samuel Johnson (1775). In order to preserve the original version as much as possible I have not altered any of the spelling differences you will see.

The Isle of Islay

The isle of Islay lies to the west of Jura, from which it is separated by a narrow channel; it is twenty four miles in length from south to north, and eighteen from east to west; there are some little mountains about the middle on the east side. The coast is for the most part heathy and uneven, and by consequence not proper for village; the north end is also full of heaths and hills. The south-west and west is pretty well cultivated, and there is six miles between Kilrow on the west, and Port Escock in the east, which is arable and well inhabited. There is about one thousand little hills on this road, and all abound with limestone; among which there is lately discovered a lead mine in three different places, but it has not turned to any account as yet. The corn growing here is barley and oats.

There is only one harbour in this isle, called Loch-Dale; it lies near the north end, and is of a great length and breadth; but the depth being in the middle, few vessels come within half a league of the land side.

There are several rivers in this isle affording salmon. The fresh-water lakes are well stocked with trouts; eels, and some with salmons: as Loch-Guirm, which is four miles in circumference, and hath several forts built on an island that lies in it.

Loch-Finlagan, about three miles in circumference, affords salmon, trouts, and eels: this lake lies in the centre of the isle. The isle Finlagan, from which this lake hath its name, is in it. It is famous for being once the court in which the great Macdonald, King of the Isles, had his residence; his houses, chapel, etc., are now ruinous. His guards de corps, called Lucht-taeh, kept guard on the lake side nearest to the isle; the walls of their houses are still to be seen there.

The High Court of Judicature, consisting of fourteen, sat always here; and there was an appeal to them from all the Courts in the isles: the eleventh share of the sum in debate was due to the principal judge. There was a big stone of seven feet square, in which there was a deep impression made to receive the feet of Macdonald; for he was crowned King of the Isles standing in this stone, and swore that he would continue his vassals in the possession of their lands, and do exact justice to all his subjects: and then his father’s sword was put into his hand. The Bishop of Argyll and seven priests anointed him king, in presence of all the heads of the tribes in the isles and continent, and were his vassals; at which time the orator rehearsed a catalogue of his ancestors, etc.

There are several forts built in the isles that are in fresh-water lakes, as in Ilan-Loch-Guirn, and Ilan-Viceain; there is a fort called Dunnivag in the south-west side of the isle, and there are several caves in different places of it. The largest that I saw was in the north end, and is called Vah-Vearnag; it will contain 200 men to stand or sit in it. There is a kill for drying corn made on the east side of it; and on the other side there is a wall built close to the side of the cave, which was used for a bed-chamber; it had a fire on the floor, and some chairs about it, and the bed stood close to the wall. There is a stone without the cave door, about which the common people make a tour sunways.

A mile on the south-west side of the cave is the celebrated well called Toubir in Knahar, which in the ancient language is as much as to say, the well that sallied from one place to another: for it is a received tradition among the vulgar inhabitants of this isle, and the opposite isle of Colonsay, that this well was first in Colonsay, until an imprudent woman happened to wash her hands in it, and that immediately after, the well being thus abused, came in an instant to Islay, where it is like to continue, and is ever since esteemed a catholicon for diseases by the natives and adjacent islanders; and the great resort to it is commonly every quarter-day.

It is common with sick people to make a vow to come to the well, and after drinking, they make a tour sunways round it, and then leave an offering of some small token, such as a pin, needle, farthing, or the like, on the stone cover which is above the well. But if the patient is not like to recover, they send a proxy to the well, who acts as above-mentioned, and carries home some of the water to be drank by the sick person.

There is a little chapel beside this well, to which such as had found the benefit of the water, came back and returned thanks to God for their recovery.

There are several rivers on each side this isle that afford salmon. I was told by the natives that the Brion of Islay, a famous judge, is according to his own desire, buried standing on the brink of the river Laggan, having in his right hand a spear, such as they use to dart at the salmon.

There are some isles on the coast of this island, as island Texa on the south-west, about a mile in circumference; and island Ouirsa, a mile likewise in circumference, with the small isle called Nave.

The Names of the Churches in this Isle are as follows: Kil-Chollim Kill, St. Columbus his church near Port Escock, Kil-Chovan in the Rins, on the west side the isle; Kil-Chiaran in Rins, on the west side Nerbols in the Rins, St. Columbus his church in Laggan, a chapel in island Nave, and Kilhan Alen, north-west of Kilrow. There is a cross standing near St. Columbus’s or Port Escock side, which is ten feet high. There are two stones set up at the east side of Loch-Finlagan, and they are six feet high.

All the inhabitants are Protestants; some among them observe the festivals of Christmas and Good Friday. They are well proportioned and indifferently healthful.

The air here is not near so good as that of Jura, from which it is but a short mile distant; but Islay is lower and more marshy, which makes it liable to several diseases that do not trouble those of Jura. They generally speak the Irish tongue; all those of the best rank speak English; they use the same habit and diet with those of Jura.

This isle is annexed to the Crown of Scotland. Sir Hugh Campbell of Caddell is the King’s steward there, and has one half of the island. This isle is reckoned the furthest west of all the isles in Britain. There is a village on the west coast of it called Cul, i.e., the back part; and the natives say it was so called because the ancients thought it the back of the world, as being the remotest part on that side of it. The natives of Islay, Colonsay, and Jura say that there is an island lying to the southwest of these isles, about the distance of a day’s sailing, for which they have only a bare tradition. Mr. MacSwen, present minister in the isle Jura, gave me the following account of it, which he had from the master of an English vessel that happened to anchor at that little isle, and came afterwards to Jura, which is thus:

As I was sailing some thirty leagues to the southwest of Islay, I was becalmed near a little isle, where I dropped anchor and went ashore. I found it covered all over with long grass. There was abundance of seals lying on the rocks and on the shore; there is likewise a multitude of sea-fowls in it; there is a river in the middle, and on each side of it I found great heaps of fish bones of many sorts; there are many planks and boards cast up upon the coast of the isle, and it being all plain, and almost level with the sea, I caused my men (being then idle) to erect a heap of the wood about two stories high; and that with a design to make the island more conspicuous to seafaring men.

This isle is four English miles in length, and one in breadth. I was about thirteen hours sailing between this isle and Jura. Mr. John MacSwen, above mentioned, having gone to the isle of Colonsay some few days after, was told by the inhabitants that from an eminence near the monastery in a fair day they saw as it were the top of a little mountain in the south-west sea, and that they doubted not but it was land, though they never observed it before. Mr. MacSwen was confirmed in this opinion by the account above-mentioned; but when summer was over, they never saw this little hill, as they called it, any more; the reason which is supposed to be this, that the high winds in all probability has cast down the pile of wood that forty seamen had erected the preceding year in that island, which, by reason of the description above recited, we may aptly enough call the Green Island.

News from Isle of Jura for Nov/Dec 04

Air/sea rescue

At the end of October, a large motor yacht ran aground on Eilean Nan Gabhar (Goat Island) in Small Isles Bay. The Islay lifeboat was called to the scene and one crewman was successfully rescued from the island. Unfortunately, while attempting to rescue the second crewman, the lifeboat’s Y-class inflatable boat also ran aground. A Royal Navy search and rescue helicopter was called which airlifted the remaining crewman and the lifeboat men to safety. There were no injuries and the Y-boat was recovered intact, although the yacht itself was destroyed to matchwood.

Isle of Jura 365 update

All the images from the Jura 365 project (see newsletter 1) are now able to be viewed online at www.theisleofjura.co.uk There are several images from around the Crackaig area, where your own Laird of Jura estate is situated.

Isle of Jura Bus fishing competition

There are several fly fishing competitions held on the Isle of Jura throughout the season, predominantly for brown trout. The final competition at Inver, however, gives the anglers the chance of a salmon or sea trout. Held in its customary high winds and blustery showers, this year was no exception with the winning angler, Alec “the bus” himself, landing a fine salmon of almost 6.5 pounds and 5 sea trout over 1 lb. Visiting anglers are welcome to take part in any of the competitions which are held between May and October.

Jura needs a doctor! Can you help?

It’s now a year since Jura’s resident GP retired and the island is still looking for a new doctor. If you know of anyone who may be interested (or are interested yourself) please call the surgery on 01496 820218.

The Isle of Jura gathering

Every November, the annual Jura gathering is held in Glasgow. This is organised by the Glasgow Jura Association and is a chance for Jura expats, residents and anyone with a Jura connection to get together for a good old fashioned ceilidh and dance. Maybe we’ll see some of you Lairds and Ladies there next year? (11th November 2005). All that’s left is for me to wish you all a very merry Christmas and a happy 2005. Next month I will report on Jura at Christmas and New Year and will hopefully have some new photos of the Laird of Jura Estate.(As long as the weather cooperates!)

Slainte David

Can you tell the taste between the different brands of Isle of Jura Whisky?

The Isle of Jura Whisky distillery does not produce the heavy peated whisky associated with the whisky distilleries on the neighbouring Isle of Islay. Instead it is more like the traditional scotch highland whisky but has a unique taste all of its own.

The combination of a very lightly peated malt with the pure water (coming from a local spring the Bhaille Mharghaidh which flows over rock and so carries very little peat) coupled with some of the highest whisky stills in Scotland and the very slow maturation near the sea to give a very slightly salty taste together produces some of the finest whisky in the world.

The main brands sold to the public are their 10 year old Isle of Jura Scotch Whisky, the 16 year Isle of Jura scotch whisky, the more intense taste of the 21 year old Isle of Jura whisky along with the "Isle of Jura Superstition" Scotch Whisky.

However these make up only a small proportion of the total whisky distilled on the Isle of Jura the rest is blended with other whiskies from across Scotland to help make up the wide range of whiskies produced by the parent company.

10 year old Isle of Jura Whisky

The distillery describes this as being clean fresh and light.

However that almost ignores the very full rich aromatic taste that if allowed to roll around the palette reveals an attractive flavour that will linger there and reflect the true nature of the Isle of Jura.

16 year old Isle of jura Whisky

This Isle of Jura single malt whisky is one of the most popular of the range.

Naturally it does not have as bold a taste as its 21 year old more expensive cousin but it will suit the taste of many sophisticated Scotch malt whisky drinkers.

Definitely worth trying a bottle or two to get to know it.

21 year old Isle of Jura Whisky

This mature Isle of Jura Scotch whisky has been kept in its cask for at least 21 years prior to bottling — most of that time in a secure cold warehouse at the top of a hill overlooking small isle bay and Craighouse.

This position has helped it absorb the freshness of the salt air keeping it cool and of course exchanging it with some of it’s evaporating alcoholic spirit (known as "the angel’s share").

Let this linger under your nose for some time as you sip it to capture the full flavour before the warmth of the whisky wraps itself around your tongue.

Isle of Jura Superstition Scotch Whisky

The Isle of Jura Superstition blend is designed for those who like to have a more peater taste in their scotch whisky. Created by blending two different blending cultures one being from the neighbouring island of Islay the other coming from a number of other aged malt whisky distillations.

Its name derives from the age old myth saying it is unlucky to cut peat in April as opposed to May. Each bottle strongly features the Ankh cross (which tends to put me off it) deemed to conduct divine power of immortality to anyone close enough to absorb its positive energy.

Maturing in American white oak casks has resulted in it acquiring a strong rich aroma to be enjoyed as you swirl the whisky around the glass. This is a single malt whisky to be sipped rather than drunk if you want to get the full lingering aftertaste. Despite its name and symbolism I like it!

Discover even more about  Scotch whisky with our DVD

Isle of Jura newsletter October 2004

Welcome to your Isle of Jura newsletter. In this issue I am bringing you news of the Isle of Jura Music festival, Isle of Jura 365 : The Landscape Photographic Exhibition, and a poem on Farewell to Jura written in 1871.

Isle of Jura Music Festival 2004

The annual Isle of Jura music festival took place on the last weekend in September. This is now arguably the biggest event in the Jura calendar, attracting visitor numbers that more than double the population for the weekend.

This is no doubt due to the musical talent on display - ranging from the “locals” concert on the Friday night through to the main concert and dance on the Saturday, the numerous sessions, pipers, fiddlers, Gaelic singers, a jazz band, a bit of Irish/country and western and even a samba band (that managed to collapse the stage in the field!) At one point on Saturday night this author counted no fewer than 5 different places to go to hear music. Not bad for a wee island like Jura!

This year’s headline act at the main concert on Saturday night was the Michael McGoldrick Band. Supported by accomplished musicians there ain’t nothing Michael can’t do with a flute. Brilliant!

Meanwhile, up in the hotel bar the Gillespie brothers had them dancing on the tables with their pipes and accordion. Then it was the Jimmy Shandrix Experince that had us dancing in the hall until 3 am!

A few sore heads on the Sunday but it was on with the show! The Islay Pipe Band, the Jazz band (who also played in the church), singers and Gaorsach with their dancing display. Finally, the children put on a play with masks and shadow puppets in which Buie the Dwarf put paid to the wicked witch of Beinn an Oir (one of the Paps).

The bar remained packed for the rest of the night with a few game musicians battling on, but most of us by this time were partied out!

If you are interested in coming to Isle of Jura for the festival, it is held over the last weekend in September (a traditional Glasgow holiday weekend).

Accommodation books up very early but camping is available in the field in front of the Jura hotel. Please be warned, the place can be very busy.

Isle of Jura 365 : The Landscape Photographic Exhibition

A 3 year photographic project, carried out on Jura by Dr Gary Mckay from the USA, captured some 46,000 raw images in every season. The focus of the project was to interpret Gaelic place names within the landscape, and to capture them according to their translations. A selection of these images will be displayed at various locations on Jura, Islay and the mainland over the coming months. Go to www.theisleofjura.co.uk for further information on the exhibition and the island.

Isle of Jura Stories from the past

This month a poem, written by Jessie Scott on Feb 27th 1871 of Knockintavill (Barnhill). It is believed it was written just before she left for America knowing she would not be coming back to the Isle of Jura.

Farewell to Jura

No more I’ll climb the mountains high
To view the meeting sea and eye.
The stately vessels passing by
On every side of Jura.

Give honour to the great the brave,
To sordid souls the gold they crave,
Give me a walk at dusky eve
Along the shores of Jura.

How dear to me thy every scene,
When sun shines o’er the Western Main,
Or when he walks and spreads again
His golden beams o’er Jura.

By simple nature’s power impressed
There friendship glows in every breast
The stranger is a welcome guest
At every hearth in Jura.

From strife of noisy towns secure,
There mortals spend their lives obscure,
And long may harmony endure
Throughout the Isle of Jura.

Though ne’er to tread thy shores again,
My heart with thee shall aye remain
Where’er I wander I’ll retain
My dearest wish for Jura

Until next month, slainte. David

Hello again. This issue of the Laird of Isle of Jura Newsletter brings you news about some new houses being built on the Isle of Jura along with a new ambulance, Arthur retires (who is Arthur? read on!) and the mysterious missing Jura Skull and bones.

News for March/April 2005

Isle of Jura Gifts

Isle of Jura Gifts is now online. We have a wide selection of books and gifts from the island and hope to expand our range shortly. Find us at www.isleofjuragifts.com

New houses on Isle of Jura

It is amazing the number of new houses that have been built, are being built or are planned to be built in such a small community ( Population about 170). At last count there are about 20 with over 50% of them being used or planned to be used as permanent residencies. It is also good to see the number of younger folk who are involved in this building frenzy. Don’t worry, though. In no way can this be seen as over development on such a sparsely populated island!

New ambulance for the Isle of Jura

The Isle of Jura is to get its own island based ambulance through the Scottish Community Ambulance Initiative. Support has come from all areas with free ferry travel being supplied by the ferry companies and a years supply of fuel donated by a local distributor. All that remains to be done is to train the volunteer crew in time for the ambulances arrival.

Arthur retires

After 36 years of plying the sound between Isle of Jura and Islay on the ferry, Arthur has finally hung up his skippers cap. He will be sorely missed and a party was held for him in the village hall in March.

The Lairds View

I will be back on Isle of Jura again at the end of the month visiting relatives and hopefully catching a trout or 2! Surely the weather will cooperate this time and I will get some nice pictures for the web site and newsletters.

The picnic table will be put into place and the bracken cut back so that any of you visiting Lairds or Ladies can fully enjoy the fine views.

I would be interested to here from anyone planning to visit this summer. Don’t forget to quote your 10% discount voucher if you are booking into the hotel!

Stories from Isle of Jura

For many years a skull and 2 limb bones sat on a rock protected by an overhang near the shore at Glengarrisdale on the west coast of the Isle of Jura. It is believed they were turned up when ploughing and could have belonged to the victim of a long ago massacre, as the skull had a slash in it which could have been made by a sword. Sadly they are no longer there.

Next time I will report on the annual Fell race and hopefully have these promised pictures!

Slainte David

Laird of Jura newsletter no.7

Welcome to your Laird of Isle of Jura newsletter number 7. In this issue we bring you an update on the new year celebrations, new rainfall records set for wet and dry months in 2005, read about the hassle being caused by wild deer and goats in the village

News for January/February 06

Jura’s own band, Pete Smoke and the Roaches, helped blast Jura into 2006 with a storming set in the hall “after the bells”. The celebrations began with a ceilidh, led by Graham Rozga on the accordion, then it was time for some good old rock and/or roll with the Roaches! These boys came together by accident when a band due to play at the music festival in September cancelled at the last minute. They have since gone from strength to strength and have just completed a recent world tour of the neighbouring Isle of Islay! Try and catch them when you visit your Jura estate.

Rainfall for 2005

Rainfall records have been kept at Craighouse on Jura since 1983, and are also kept for the Paps, Inver and Lealt. It is amazing the difference some months between Inver and Craighouse, only about 5 or 6 miles apart as the crow flies, but separated by the Paps. For example, in May 2005 152mm fell on Craighouse while only 107.5mm fell on Inver. This can be attributed to the Paps drawing in the clouds which then dump their rain on the hills and on Craighouse, further to the east. Overall, the total rainfall for the year was slightly below average at Craighouse with July being the driest on record, and May being abnormally wet. (Just ask the fell runners!)

Deer and goats

These are becoming a pest in Craighouse doing lots of damage to gardens. In fact, my mother’s vegetable patch was recently stripped bare by a marauding stag!

Strange happenings on Jura

There have been quite a few instances of ghosts being seen on Jura. Here are some of them. During the 1980’s, several people reported seeing the headlights of a car approaching along the islands only single track road. Having pulled into a passing place to let the car past, nothing has appeared. There was no turn off between them and where they saw the car. The farmhouse at Lagg is reputed to be haunted by a poltergeist. It is rumoured that a past occupant used to take up a cup of tea to the room the ghost inhabited to quieten him down! Not far from Lagg, at the deserted house of Corrynahera, several people claim to have seen a face at the window on passing by. The ghost of a young lady was reportedly seen in Corran house by a doctor who was staying there. It is known that a young girl drowned whilst crossing the Corran river many years ago. A very reputable witness watched a strange creature swimming off Jura for several minutes back in the 1960s or 70s. His account was published in a book about Scottish sea monsters. Don’t forget to visit www.isleofjuragifts.com where you can find books featuring more interesting stories about Jura’s past. Until next time, Slainte David

Laird of Jura newsletter no.5 Oct 05

Firstly, an apology for the lack of news letters over the summer. This has been down to several factors, including lack of time, reorganisation and plain old slackness on my part.  Sorry, I will do better!

Jura fell race 2005

Whitsun weekend at the end of May, 150 or so hardy souls embark on the annual Bens of Jura fell race. This involves running / scrambling over 7 mountain summits with a total vertical ascent of 7500 ft and covering a distance of approximately 16 miles. The course record is just over 3 hours. You may be thinking, “that’s only just over 5 miles an hour – I could walk it in 4 hours,” until you see the Paps and what they are made up of. (Paps, by the way, means breasts. Yes, there are 3 of them!) Sheer scree and boulders with boggy ground in between makes it one of the toughest fell races in the country. Unfortunately, this year the weather won the day. It was wet, windy, cold and the cloud base was low, so for safety’s sake the lower course, which misses out the Paps, had to be used. Five Jura runners completed the course and they took away the local challenge trophy which they compete for every year against the neighbouring island of Islay. Of course, come the morning after (and yet another good dance in the village hall) there were blue skies and bright sunshine. Several of the runners went round the full course just for the fun of it!

Doctor

The new doctor took up his post in May and he and his family seem to have settled well into island life. I hear he is a bit of a musician and will be performing at this year’s music festival.

Jura regatta

The annual regatta is held on the first Saturday in August. It is, and always has been, my favourite event in the Jura calendar and this year I managed a long weekend visit. It’s a busy weekend, but more so with “regular” visitors rather than the general hoards who descend for the fell race and the music festival. This, to me, makes it special as it gives you a chance to catch up with old friends and compete against old foes. The day was sunny and breezy and this year, for the sailing race, I managed to cobble together a boat using the mast and sails from a different one. My nephew and I finished 3^rd (out of 5) so that wasn’t too bad. In the afternoon there is a raft race, which always produces great hilarity, followed by swimming races then rowing and canoe races. I managed a couple of firsts and a second (including showing the young upstarts that I could still paddle a canoe!) and Ardfarnal won the inter-township, the biggest and most competitive race of the day. The evening concert featuring the Wherries was a great success and the dance, featuring Skerryvore from Tiree, was hailed as the best of the summer. A long and happy day was ended at 5am watching the sun rise over Small Isles bay. Perfect!

The Lairds view

When I was on Jura in May, I cleared some of the bracken at the Lairds View. The bluebells were out, the sun was shining and I sat and admired the view for a while.

Bluebells at the Lairds View.

Next time, more photos from the Lairds View and another story about Jura. Slainthe David

Laird of Jura newsletter no.6 December 2005

Welcome to your Laird of Jura newsletter. In this December 2005 issue I will be covering the New Jura Care Centre, plans to improve tourism (so you have even more to see when you visit your Scottish Estate) and more about the island history.

Jura Care Centre

The construction of a new 6 unit progressive care centre has begun. This £1.8 million project will enable older people to remain on the island during a period of their life when their need for support increases. At the moment, the only place such people can go is on the neighbouring island of Islay. In addition to the centre, 2 affordable rented houses will be constructed on the site along with a roads and infrastructure package to allow the future construction of 4 further housing units. The care centre project has been in the pipeline for about 10 years and it is good to see all the directors’ hard work finally coming to fruition.

Tourism

There is now a new full colour leaflet about Jura including an accommodation insert aimed at promoting the island to potential visitors. If you would like a copy please drop me an email via www.isleofjuragifts.com and I will see what I can do. There are also plans for interpretation cairns to be set up throughout the island.

Jura History

An Carn The village is about 2 miles north of Lealt, at the north end of the island, on a bluff overlooking the sea. It can be reached by proceeding beyond ‘road end’ for about 1 mile until you reach the place that used to be called ‘Old Stables’. From here you can travel west to Glengarrisdale or east to An Carn which is about 1 mile from the road over tussocky grass which makes for difficult walking. The ruins of the buildings are clearly seen as the stone has not been taken to be used elsewhere as has happened in other deserted villages such as Barnhill. The distance from the road has saved the ruins of the 8 structures which made up the village. We know very little about this village. It does not appear on any of the census records so we can assume that the village was abandoned before the first census of 1841. It does, however, appear on some early maps. On Pont’s map of 1590 it appears as Karn and on later maps as Cairns. Associated with the village and across the stream to the south is the remains of a corn drying kiln - now in the edge of a forest plantation - and lazibeds show evidence of a fair amount of cultivation between the village and the stream. To the N E of the village there is a small bay which is one of the few places where a boat could be landed between Ardlussa and Kinuachdrach. At the head of this bay is a cave which was excavated by John Mercer and in which he found items of a late medieval date. These include a medieval arrow head and a pair of iron shears. Associated with the village on its western side are 9 separate groups of cup marks. This is the largest group of cup markings to be found on Jura so far. The reason for cup markings and their significance is not known.

Lairds View

Looking south from the Lairds View on a sunny summers day.

Isle of Jura Gifts

We now have some new lines including an Isle of Jura jigsaw. There is the possibility of having a Laird of Jura jigsaw made if there is enough interest. Please visit www.isleofjuragifts.com for a browse and email us if you are interested. It only remains for me to wish all you Lairds and Ladies a very merry Christmas and a happy new year. Slainthe David

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.