Clan affiliation question

**ThistleDown** · 13th January 13, 12:19 PM

The family of Shaws in the Highlands is of Mackintosh origin, just as are the Farquharsons, MacThomases and MacRitchies. The chief of the Highland Shaws is actually chief of Clan Ay, the second tribe of Shaws after Rothiemurchus. Not all of the name Shaw are Highland. There are actually many, many more Shaws of Lowland and English origin. You don't say where your Shaw grandfather lived in America or where (if) in Scotland he originated. Either bit of information will more accurately place that branch of your family in Scotland.

**TheOfficialBren** · 13th January 13, 05:01 PM

I'm certain that my grandfather was born in the hills of Kentucky. His father was, I believe, from near Inverness. I will have to double check, though.

Would it be unsuitable for me to wear the tartan of any of the clans you have mentioned above, Thistledown?

Thank you for your help.

**ThistleDown** · 14th January 13, 11:56 AM

You can wear any tartan you wish, Bren. Usually we wear our own 'clan' tartan, however. That is, the tartan of our family name or that of the main family in the region from which we are descended. If your great-grandfather on your father's side was from near Inverness, then you could choose the Shaw, or even the Clan Chattan. Of course, there are a multitude of fashion tartans for you to choose from, too.

**TheOfficialBren** · 14th January 13, 02:00 PM

Thanks, ThistleDown. I am leaning toward Shaw and universals tartans. I would wear Chattan but I'd rather have a more subdued version. I don't really care for orange or other bright colours. I prefer deep, rich, or muted/weathered tartans.

I wish Shaw wasn't considered a "rare" tartan (as per several reputable kiltmakers websites). It'll be a while before I spring for that one.

Thank you for your advice, Sir.

**creagdhubh** · 14th January 13, 02:55 PM

Originally Posted by TheOfficialBren

Thanks, ThistleDown. I am leaning toward Shaw and universals tartans. I would wear Chattan but I'd rather have a more subdued version. I don't really care for orange or other bright colours. I prefer deep, rich, or muted/weathered tartans.

I wish Shaw wasn't considered a "rare" tartan (as per several reputable kiltmakers websites). It'll be a while before I spring for that one.

Thank you for your advice, Sir.

The Chattan tartan in a reproduction/weathered colour scheme is always an option as well! The Shaw of Tordarroch is quite a handsome sett too. I second Rex's suggestion and would go with a heavyweight fabric such as Lochcarron Strome, or something comparable from other mills (D.C. Dalgliesh is another good source).

Cheers,

**TheOfficialBren** · 14th January 13, 04:52 PM

Awesome! Thanks, Rex and Kyle.

BTW, you mentioned that the chief of Clan Shaw is the chief of Clan Ay. What is the background behind that?

**ThistleDown** · 14th January 13, 09:01 PM

How many hours have you, Bren? In a thread, the progenitor of the Tordarroch branch of the clan Shaw (Anglicisation of 'Sheach') was Aodh (Ay), younger brother of Alasdair 'Ciar' Mackintosh of Rothiemurchus and grandson of Shaw Mor, who led the Clan Ha (Chattan) at the Battle on the North Inch of Perth in the late 14C. After his father's death in 1411 at Harlaw, Ay was taken into the protection of his kinsman, Malcom Beg, 10th chief of Mackintosh, at Moy. In that century Mackintosh gave the tenancy of the Tordarroch lands in Strathnairn to Ay's son or grandson, and from them came the Shaws of Tordarroch, chiefs of Clan Ay.

Some photos for you:

Shaw Mor's grave in Rothiemurchus

The present Moy is at the north end of Loch Moy but pretty well everything you see in the pic was Mackintosh's in Malcolm's day, and everything to the left of Loch Moy and away to the hills is still Mackintosh. The village at that time was on the island in the left foreground.

Tordarroch House. This isn't my pic, but I can't seem to get any of mine to copy for you. In any case, this is Tordarroch House as it is today. The tower is 20th century. In the background is a hill that has been tested and was probably the site of the Earl of Moray's hangings of several Clan Chattan chieftains in 1543. This has again passed out of Shaw ownership.

**creagdhubh** · 14th January 13, 02:24 PM

Originally Posted by ThistleDown

The family of Shaws in the Highlands is of Mackintosh origin, just as are the Farquharsons, MacThomases and MacRitchies. The chief of the Highland Shaws is actually chief of Clan Ay, the second tribe of Shaws after Rothiemurchus. Not all of the name Shaw are Highland. There are actually many, many more Shaws of Lowland and English origin. You don't say where your Shaw grandfather lived in America or where (if) in Scotland he originated. Either bit of information will more accurately place that branch of your family in Scotland.

***

Well stated, Rex...ya beat me to it, mate!

Cheers,

**ThistleDown** · 14th January 13, 02:38 PM

You're welcome, Bren. I'm not sure which weavers you have checked for Shaw, but I think that Locharron carries it regularly in two of their weights. If so, I suggest Strome. Check on House of Edgar, too, and Scotweb I know carries at least Shaw of Tordarroch off the shelf (and offers XMarks members a discount).

**WClarkB** · 15th January 13, 12:55 PM

If you want to get completely bemused at the strength of clan kinship in the Borders (which at times impacted as far west as Kirkcudbright) read GM Fraser's Steel Bonnets.