Clan Chattan – History, Crest & Heritage

Gaelic Name

Clann Ghillechattan

Clan Motto

“Touch not the cat bot a glove” – A fierce Highland warning, meaning do not provoke a wildcat unless it is sheathed, symbolizing cautious strength and latent ferocity.

Clan Crest Badge

A cat salient, representing watchfulness, independence, and the untamed spirit of the Highlands.

Plant Badge

Red Whortleberry

Origins of the Clan

Clan Chattan is one of the most unique and complex kin groups in Highland history. Traditionally said to descend from Gillchattan Mór, a powerful 11th-century figure, the name “Chattan” itself is believed to originate from this early ancestor. The original Clan Chattan, also known as the “old” or traditional Clan Chattan,” was centered in the Kinrara and Badenoch regions of Inverness-shire.

Over time, a confederation of clans emerged under the umbrella of Clan Chattan, forming one of the most influential alliances in Highland Scotland. This Clan Chattan Confederacy eventually came to include major clans such as:

• Macphersons (Clann Mhuirich)

• Davidsons

• MacBeans

• MacPhails

• MacIntoshes

• Shaws

• Farquharsons

• MacQueens

• And others

The Clan Confederation

The Clan Chattan Confederacy was not a single bloodline, but a political and military alliance of clans bound by mutual interest and fealty. At the heart of this alliance were the MacIntoshes, who became hereditary captains of the clan from the 14th century onward, especially following the marriage of Angus Mackintosh to Eva, daughter of the Clan Chattan chief.

This union brought significant lands and prestige to the MacIntosh family, who would go on to serve as leaders of the Confederacy, although not always without contest. The Macphersons, considered original members of the older Clan Chattan line, would later assert their own claims to chiefship.

Historical Influence

Clan Chattan played a decisive role in many key moments of Highland history:

• Took part in the Battle of Invernahavon (1370) – a noted internal clan dispute between the Macphersons and Davidsons over leadership within the Confederacy.

• Present at the Battle of North Inch (1396) – a legendary staged combat in front of King Robert III of Scotland.

• Fought fiercely during the Jacobite uprisings, with both MacIntoshes and Macphersons taking up arms for the Stuart cause.

Clan Seat and Territory

Clan Chattan's historic territory lies in the heart of the Highlands, particularly in Badenoch, Strathnairn, and Lochaber. Several families held their own castles and strongholds, such as Cluny Castle for the Macphersons, and Moy Hall for the MacIntoshes.

Later Development and Chiefship

Disputes over the rightful Chief of Clan Chattan continued into the modern era. The Court of the Lord Lyon ultimately declared that Clan Chattan was a community of independent clans, not a single genealogical unit. The Chiefship of Clan Chattan, separate from Clan MacIntosh, is today held by an elected commander—emphasizing its status as a confederacy, not a clan in the traditional sense.

Tartans

Clan Chattan members may wear the tartan of their own specific clan (e.g. Macpherson, Macintosh, Davidson), or the Clan Chattan tartan, which symbolizes unity within the confederacy. Popular tartans include:

• Clan Chattan Hunting

• Macpherson Ancient and Modern

• Macintosh Red

• Farquharson Tartan

• Davidson Tartan

Conclusion

Clan Chattan stands as a rare and fascinating example of Highland alliance politics, where loyalty and cooperation superseded bloodline. Fiercely proud and highly organized, the Clan Chattan Confederacy shaped the cultural, military, and political landscape of northern Scotland. With its legendary motto “Touch not the cat bot a glove,” Clan Chattan remains an enduring symbol of Highland tenacity, unity, and ferocity in the face of adversity.