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. 

How did this thorny Thistle flower become the national emblem of Scotland?

Answer — That Scottish Thistle saved the lives of a whole army of Scots from being slaughtered while they slept.  What better reason could you have!

An unusual wildlife topic.

In introducing the section on wildlife of Scotland we could not resist producing a page on the thistle — the national emblem of Scotland setting out why this rather prickly tough looking plant should be honoured in such a way.

The thistle plant grows wild all over Scotland with some 200 variations in growing all over the northern hemisphere. (One variety in the USA — known appropriately as the "Tall Thistle" — grows to a height of ten foot. However most other varieties of the Thistle grow to a height of only one to three foot.)

Thistle plants are tough wildlife with virtually no grazing animals eating them due to the very sharp spines and needles. However some animals such as a donkey will nip off the flower heads and enjoy them without touching the sharp needles.

Why make the thistle a national Emblem?

According to legend in 1263 one army led by King Haakon of Norway slipped ashore at Largs during the night hoping to take the Scots by surprise whilst they were still asleep prior to a battle planned for the following day.

In order to be able to move more quietly towards the sleeping Scots the invaders removed their footwear. Unfortunately for them that night they met up with something else hiding in the darkness. One of the invaders stood on a thistle and cried out in pain as the thorns went deep into his bare feet.

The Scots having been awakened by the cries arose and were able to fight driving the invaders back into the North Sea.

To honour the thistle plant that had so decisively saved their lives the Scots adopted the Thistle as their national symbol. Some two hundred years later James III put the thistle on silver coins in 1470.

Click to discover also the Order of the Thistle an ancient title first awarded in 1540 by the Scottish King.

The Declaration of Arbroath is one of the most famous
statements of independence throughout the world.

Every Scot knows the Declaration of Arbroath written in 1320 is one of the greatest statements of human rights ever written (although some would say the Magna Carta  in 1215 was coming a close second).

The Battle of Bannockburn in 1314 did not end the fighting between Scotland and England.  The Bruce (the Scottish king as he was known by many) continued to invade northern England inflicting great damage. The problem was the current then Pope still did recognise Scotland as an independant nation and in a strongly Catholic Scotland that meant a lot. Some historians have claimed that one of the strongest reasons for this refusal was Robert Bruce’s murder of John Comyn (his main rival to the throne).  As the murder had taken place inside of an Abbey the Pope had felt it proper to excommunicate Bruce (althrough I still do not understand why a murder on holy ground of a church building should be any worse than one committed a mile away).

The heart of Bruce was then returned to Scotland and buried in Melrose Abbey .  Later in 1921 a small lead casket containing a human heart  was found buried in the grounds of the Abbey.  This was assumed to be the heart of Robert Bruce.

Read the full Declaration of Arbroath in English or in the original Latin .

The Order of the Thistle (sometimes referred to as the Order of St. Andrew) is one of the most important regal order in Scotland.

The order was founded in 1540 by King James V anxious to set up his own religious order based in Scotland.

James had been honoured with the order of the Garter from his uncle King Henry VIII of England and with the Golden Fleece from the Emperor, and the order of St Michael from France, resolved to be in the royal mode, and so made the order of the Thistle for himself and twelve knights, in imitation of Christ and his twelve apostles. Then celebrating all the festivals of the orders, he set up the Order of the Thistle arms and badges over the gate of his palace at Linlithgow, joining St. Andrew with them.

The common badge (shown left) worn by the knights are, a cross surmounted by a star of four silver points, and over them a green circle bordered and lettered with gold, containing the motto; and in the centre is a thistle proper, the whole being embroidered on the left breast

The collar (shown below right ) is always worn with the other ensign, which is a green ribbon spread over the left shoulder, and brought under the right arm, pending to which is the image of St. Andrew within an oval of gold, enamelled green, with the same motto.

Immediately after King James V had established this order, he died (1542) which put an end to the design; for it being in the religious time of the reformation it was thought impious to make so free with Christ and his apostles; nor was it any more heard of till King James VII renewed it, by making eight knights on 6th of June 1687, from which time the beginning of this order is more truly to be dated.

The revolution intervening, no more knights were added till February 1703, when Queen Anne made the number twelve, according to the first plan, adding also some new rules to the Order.

King James VII appointed the knights to wear the image of St. Andrew upon a blue ribbon, which continued so till Queen Anne changed it for that of green, as it is now worn.

(Description taken  From the Peerage of Scotland, 1834 )

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

Scottish humour (or humor if you are from the USA) is said to a very dry humour and often seen as putting down our nation and our own people.

For example one of the most common jokes in Scottish humour is about the meanness or frugality of Scots people. For example we still love to joke that we are tight fisted.

Advert in local newspaper.  For Sale Used Gravestone ideal for family named McDonald.

After a rather poor collection was gathered in, the church minister prayed, "We thank you , dear Lord, that the collection plate has been returned safely"

In reality research figures over many years have consistently shown that per head of population we give far more to charity than our English counterparts.

Many of us — including myself — love to hear the bagpipes when they are played well but with our Scottish humor we can joke about the sound they make to untrained ears that have no taste.

Wee Sandy had just moved to London.  Visited by a friend from Scotland he was asked how he was doing.

"Weel",he said, "its jist grand, apart from the English Neighbours. The lot next door scream and shout and doonstairs is forever knocking up wi a broom".

"For goodness sake, Sandy, How do you stand all this commotion?"asked his friend.

"Och,ah jist keep quietly practicing on ma pipes!"

A lot of Scottish humour includes jokes about our national drink (Scotch Whisky) often with a well deserved put down for other drinks that pretend to be our whisky.

For example three CEO’s of large whisky companies went into a hotel bar.

"Okay barman ", said the first one, "give me a Japanese Whisky, the finest whisky in the world." The Barman gives him his drink.

"Right barman," said the second CEO, Give me a large American Whiskey, the finest whisky in the world."  The Barman gives him his drink.

"Right barman," said the Scottish CEO. "Give me a coke"

The other two Whisky CEOs were astonished and asked " Why aren’t you drinking Scotch whisky?"

"Well", said the Scot, " I reckoned if you guys aren’t drinking whisky, neither would I"

We also love to to use our particular brand of Scottish humor to have a go at our politicians.

99.9% of Scots are decent, hardworking, law abiding and and honest citizens.  But we still have to learn to accept the blame for electing the other 0.1% to govern us.

But maybe more than anything the Scottish Humor tends to love to have a joke about our English neighbours south of the border.

When God created Scotland, He looked down on it with great satisfaction. Finally He called the Archangel Gabriel to have a look.

“Just see,” said God. “This is the best yet. Splendid mountains, beautiful scenery, brave men, the very finest of all women, nice cool weather. And I’ve given them beautiful music and a special drink called whisky. Try some.”

Gabriel took an appreciative sip.

“Excellent,” he said. “But haven’t you perhaps been too kind to them? Won’t they be spoiled by all these things? Should there not be some drawback?”

“Just wait till you see the neighbours they’re getting,” said God.

We will be adding large numbers of pages of Scottish humor jokes to this website over the next few months. Come back and see them regularly.

Alternatively contribute your own Scottish Humour to our pages below

The Declaration of Arbroath. 2

On a previous page we wrote about how and why the Declaration of Arbroath came to be drawn up by Bruce and the Scottish Nobles.  We reproduce the English language translation below together with a photograph of the original charter or rather a copy retained in Scotland (as the original got lost in history).  Note the seals attached to the charter instead of signatures.  We have applied a similar seal to your Laird Certificate.

At one time, every household on the Isle of Jura made enough "Scotch" whisky for their own needs. What happened to that?

However that was before the Scottish Parliament made their first tax levy on Scotch whisky in 1644. Then at various times during the 1700’s when the harvest was poor the producing of whisky was legally banned in order to save barley for food.

Many illegal whisky stills were then being operated and there are places on Isle of Jura where evidence of these stills can still be seen. In 1823 a licence fee of £10 was required to legally set up a whisky still. In spite of this, illicit distilling still took place with some of the whisky being consumed on the Isle of Jura the rest being smuggled to the Lowlands of Scotland.

The original Isle of Jura distillery was built in the early 1800’s close to a cave where illegal distilling had probably taken place for many years. It was built by Campbell, the Laird and Chief of the Campbell clan, and let out to many people over the years.    It is recorded it could produce 720 gallons of Scotch whisky per week.

It was then leased to James Ferguson in 1875 and was rebuilt in 1884, producing some 64,000 gallons per year.  When the lease expired, the Laird (owner) attempted to put up the rent. Ferguson would have none of it and dismantled and sold the machinery.  The roof was removed to avoid rates and it seemed as if distilling on Jura had come to an end.

The present Isle of Jura Whisky distillery was built on the site of the old one in 1963, with additions in 1971.  It has changed hands a number of times and is currently owned by Whyte and Mackay one of the major Scotch Whisky firms.

Note: The Isle of Jura Distillery is fairly close to the Isle of Jura Hotel where you can redeem the accommodation discount voucher supplied to all our Laird of Jura members.

Discover more about Scotch whisky distilleries on DVD

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!