Though not an unusual tartan, on the International Day of the Cat, we feature the Clan Chattan tartan for its association with the Scottish wildcat, an animal figuring prominently in many place names in the highlands.

​

There is a theory that the name Chattan came from the Catti who were a tribe of Gauls who had been driven out by the Romans.  Another theory is that the name comes from Catav in Sutherland.

 

The most widely accepted theory is that this clan is descended from Gillichattan Mor who was the great servant of Saint Cathan, a member of the ancient Culdee Church who lived on the island of Bute. By the 12th century, descendants and followers of the Saint had spread to Glenloy and Loch Arkcaig in Lochaber. 

​

The clans making up the Chattan federation have a wildcat featured on  their crest with the motto:  "Touch not the cat bot a glove." 'Bot' means without. The motto serves as a warning that one should beware when the wildcat's claws are 'without a glove' (unsheathed).  It is a reference to the historically violent nature of the clan and serves as a metaphorical warning.

​

According to Clan Chattan Association of the UK, clans that currently make up the Clan Chattan Association are as follows:

​

• Clan Davidson

• Clan Farquharson

• Clan MacBean

• Clan MacGillivray

• Clan MacIntyre of Badenoch

• Clan Mackintosh

• Clan MacLean of Dochgarroch (the Macleans of the North)

• Clan MacPhail

• Clan Macpherson

• Clan MacQueen of Strathdearn

• Clan MacThomas

• Clan Shaw of Tordarroch

• ​

The individual Clans of the Chattan Confederation have their own tartans.  

 

For more on the history of Clan Chattan, click the crest.