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Breachan (aka: tartan or plaid) has long been refined
by the Scots and used by its people. The facts
surrounding the use and association of the breachan
has been obscured by the romantic license of 19th
Century authors. It was never used for the purpose
of identification or were particular patterns
associated with specific clans. The clansmen of old
wore the tartan that was produced locally.
In this light, the MacLennans likely wore a breachan
that was locally produced in their townships or
villages and similar to that of neighboring clans.
Prince Charles had the habit of wearing the local
colors of whichever clan area he found himself in.
Thus, while in Kintail he wore the red MacRae
breachan, which later became known as the “Princes
Own” (c.1746). This is the earliest known pattern
from the Kintail and Glenelg areas prior to its
“proscription”.
Wilsons of Bannockburn confirm that the current
MacLennan pattern first came to their attention
when it was made for A. Logan, Esquire, in the early
19th Century. James Logan and Robert MacIan
portrayed this pattern in their work for both
MacLennan and Logan. The only difference was that
the MacLennan pattern was larger. The first time
this pattern was associated with both clans was in
“The Book of the Club of True Highlanders” by
McIntyre North, 1881. From notes of North it
appears that the MacLennans were wearing this
pattern prior to his publication.
What pattern the MacLennans in Glenelg and Kintial
wore prior to the proscription of wearing the kilt is
unknown. It is likely that the MacLennan breachan
was similar to that of MacRae in color, with
differences in pattern and thread count dictated by
the preferences of the local family weavers. The
tradition in recent times has been for the
MacLennans to wear the ancient colors of the 1831
pattern of A. Logan. However, in recent times the
“muted or weathered” colors may more accurately
represent the older dyes. The thread count and
pattern or subtle variation thereof, may represent in
part the older form.
The following represent the correct pattern and
thread count, with the use of different colors and
hues.
by the Scots and used by its people. The facts
surrounding the use and association of the breachan
has been obscured by the romantic license of 19th
Century authors. It was never used for the purpose
of identification or were particular patterns
associated with specific clans. The clansmen of old
wore the tartan that was produced locally.
In this light, the MacLennans likely wore a breachan
that was locally produced in their townships or
villages and similar to that of neighboring clans.
Prince Charles had the habit of wearing the local
colors of whichever clan area he found himself in.
Thus, while in Kintail he wore the red MacRae
breachan, which later became known as the “Princes
Own” (c.1746). This is the earliest known pattern
from the Kintail and Glenelg areas prior to its
“proscription”.
Wilsons of Bannockburn confirm that the current
MacLennan pattern first came to their attention
when it was made for A. Logan, Esquire, in the early
19th Century. James Logan and Robert MacIan
portrayed this pattern in their work for both
MacLennan and Logan. The only difference was that
the MacLennan pattern was larger. The first time
this pattern was associated with both clans was in
“The Book of the Club of True Highlanders” by
McIntyre North, 1881. From notes of North it
appears that the MacLennans were wearing this
pattern prior to his publication.
What pattern the MacLennans in Glenelg and Kintial
wore prior to the proscription of wearing the kilt is
unknown. It is likely that the MacLennan breachan
was similar to that of MacRae in color, with
differences in pattern and thread count dictated by
the preferences of the local family weavers. The
tradition in recent times has been for the
MacLennans to wear the ancient colors of the 1831
pattern of A. Logan. However, in recent times the
“muted or weathered” colors may more accurately
represent the older dyes. The thread count and
pattern or subtle variation thereof, may represent in
part the older form.
The following represent the correct pattern and
thread count, with the use of different colors and
hues.
