Chattan Confederacy

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The theory about Chattan origins in the Catti was debunked several years ago, although it is obviously still being circulated.

The present Clan Chattan chief is Mackintosh of Torcastle (Macgillichattan Mor), a New Zealand resident, recognised as such by Lord Lyon. By private arrangement he is represented by John Mackintosh of Mackintosh, 30th chief of the Mackintoshes and President of the Clan Chattan Association.

The CCA is an active Scottish Association with international membership. Vice Presidents of the Association include Captain AAC Farquharson, 16th of Invercauld; The Hon. Sir William Macpherson 27th of Cluny TD; Very Revered Allan Maclean 21st of Dochgarroch; James H McBain 22nd of McBain; Andrew PC MacThomas 19th of Finegand; Grant Guthrie Davidson 3rd of Davidston; Iain Shaw 23rd of Tordarroch; Iain Macgillivray. All are chiefs of constituent clans within the Confederation with the sole exception of Iain Macgillivray, who is Commander of the Clan Macgillivray. There are three additional clans, the Macphails of Inverarnie, Macqueens of Corriebrough and Macintyres (in Badenoch) presently without chiefs.

There were earlier claims by both Mackintosh and Macpherson chiefs to the chiefship of the whole. This issue was resolved about ninety years ago. The Macphersons are descended from the Old Clan Chattan of Lochaber, the Mackintoshes from the Clan Chattan heiress, Eva, and her marriage to Angus, 6th of Mackintosh in the late 13C. These claims were political in nature and reinforced by Earls of Huntly for the former, and Earls of Moray for the latter; there has never been a feud between the two wings of Clan Chattan.