The Clans of Scotland are as diverse and varied as the colors and patterns of their tartans.  The hero, Alec Kincaid, is a Scottish laird in Julie Garwood's The Bride.  Ramsey Sinclair and Brodick Buchanan, from Garwood's book Ransom, are both Scottish chieftains.  Although these fictional heroes melt our hearts, the names of the Clans they represent have a true and abiding heritage.  

The success of the Clan system was based on the fierce pride, loyalty and blood-ties of the families.  We shall introduce you to a selection of the Clans that hold a distinction in the proud history of Scotland.

Buchanan Clan

The Buchanan tartan colors are green, blue, yellow and red.  (Red and yellow bands dominate the plaid).  The history is that Anselan O'Kyan was granted the lands by Malcolm II in c.1016.  The Buchanan lands, north and east of Loch Lomond, were provided for O'Kyan's services against the Vikings.  

The name Buchanan comes from the word Both-chanain meaning the Canon's Seat.  Well-known members of the Buchanan Clan were James Buchanan (1791-1868), the 15th President of the United States, and George Buchanan (1506-1582), the tutor to Mary Queen of Scots.

Kincaid Clan

The Kincaid tartan colors are green, blue and red.  The origin of the clan name "Kincaid" may have come from the Gaelic ceann cadha meaning steep place.  The territory of the Kincaid was the land between the River Kelvin and River Glazert.  

The Kincaids fought in the Civil War and Jacobite uprisings (1715 and 1745*) and shared in the defeat.  Many of the clan left Scotland to emigrate abroad after that time.

*The Battle of Culloden

MacLeod Clan
The history of the MacLeod clan goes back generations.  History accounts that the MacLeods are descendants of Leod, son of one of the last Norse kings of the Isle of Man and the Northern Isles.  (Circa 1237)  

Leod had four sons whereby two formed the primary branches of the MacLeod clan.  The eldest son, Tormod, was the MacLeods of Skye.  His castle of Dunvegan is still the seat of the clan today.  The second son, Torquil, was head of the MacLeods of Lewis also known as the MacLeods of the Lewes.  

Several tartan patterns are evidenced for the MacLeods.  One pattern, based on a Mackenzie tartan published in 1831, reflects a blue background with green plaid, black, yellow and rose striping.  The tartan worn by the regiment raised by Lord MacLeod in 1777 reflects a similar plaid, but green is the dominant color with white striping added.

MacGregor Clan

It is thought that the first chief of the MacGregor clan was Gregor 'of the golden bridles' in the fourteenth century.  The clan had been established in the district of Glenorchy in Argyll.  Clan lands were likely granted by Alexander II during his reign from 1214-1249.  As was common, the property was given as a reward for the clan's assistance to Alexander II during his western campaigns.

The Tartan
A sample of the MacGregor tartan is available in the Cockburn Collection in Glasgow.  This sample tartan dates back to 1815.  The MacGregor tartan has a red background with green stripes dominating the plaid.

A Well-Known MacGregor
Rob Roy MacGregor (1671-1734) was made well-known via Sir Walter Scott's novel (1817).  Rob Roy was the son of Donald MacGregor of Glengyle.  He later took his mother's maiden name of Campbell following the proscription.

Rob Roy was a cattle drover who bought and sold cattle on behalf of the Duke of Montrose.  He was accused of taking 

money and turned outlaw in 1712.  It is stated that Rob Roy made a point of stealing from his ex-employer, the Duke of Montrose.

Rob Roy participated in one of the Jacobite* rebellions which occurred in 1715.  

*"Jacobite" came from the Latin word "Jacobus" meaning James.  The individuals that were known as "Jacobites" were supporters of the exiled James II.  The Stuarts had ruled for nearly 300 years.  The Jacobites, particularly from the Highlands, were staunch allies and this group would impact the history of Britain and Scotland over a sixty year period.   

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