Top 5 Scottish Clans

Interested in discovering your Scottish roots? You aren’t the first. People around the world are fascinated with uncovering their heritage as a way of celebrating their identity and family history. And with popular media phenomena like Braveheart and Outlander in recent years, it’s no wonder the idea of one’s ‘clan’ has been brought to the forefront of peoples’ minds. And yes: Scottish clans still exist today. There are hundreds, in fact, and to help narrow it down, here are the top 5 Scottish clans. 

Table of contents: 

• How Many Scottish Clans Are There?

• Top 5 Scottish Clans & Their Castles

• How Do Scottish Clans Work?

How Many Scottish Clans Are There? 

First, we must ask: what is a Scottish clan?  

Scottish clans are thought to date back to the beginning of the 12th century, but there is some debate about when they officially began. They seemed to have developed as a way for the monarch to maintain order in the Scottish Highlands. This area had experienced much social unrest with northern rebellions, and fierce battles against Norsemen. As a result, powerful warlords of various origins (such as Celtic and Gaelic) rose to preside over local families in return for protection. These groupings evolved to form clans. 

In Scotland, the word ‘clan’ derives from the Gaelic ‘clann’ or ‘clanna’ which translates to ‘children’. However, a broader translation is ‘kindred’, since clan members weren’t always directly related. Many men became members of a clan by swearing allegiance to the chieftain in return for protection or work. 

But what about Scotland today? Do Scottish clans still exist? You’ll have to deep dive into our article to find that out.

So, how many Scottish clans are there today? 

The list of Scottish clans does vary somewhat. The Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs, an organisation that represents the majority of Scottish chiefs, has approximately 135 chiefs as members, and therefore 135 clans. These clans have formally organized structures, registered tartans and a chief acknowledged by Scottish heraldic authorities. 

However, when including historic clans that may not have active members or chiefs, some sources say there are closer to 1000 Scottish clans. Even if you don't have a direct Scottish clan, your family name can sometimes still be traced to larger clans. You may even be able to discover some of your own Scottish heritage on a tour of Scotland.  

Top 5 Scottish Clans & Their Castles 

With so many clans in existence, it begs the question: what are the top 5 searched Scottish clans? From the kilts they wore (and wear to this day) to the castles they once called home, read on to find out a bit more about each. 

• Clan Campbell

• Clan MacGregor

• Clan Donald

• Clan Macleod

• Clan Mackenzie

Clan Campbell  

Origin region: Argyll 

Tartan colours: Campbell tartan (also known as “Ancient Campbell”, “Black Watch”* or “Ancient Black Watch”) is ONLY green, black and blue. 

Related castles: Inverary Castle, Innis Chonnel Castle, Kilchurn Castle, Castle Campbell 

The Campbells are a Scottish family and, alongside Clan Donald, are now one of the two largest Highland clans.  

Clan Campbell is a member of the Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs, their chief being Torquhil Ian Campbell, the 13th Duke of Argyll. But it’s well known that he prefers to use his Gaelic title: Mac Cailein Mòr, meaning “Great Son of Colin”. 

The original spelling of the name was Cambel, and it was first used by the family in the 13th century. The first recorded appearance of the “Campbell” spelling was Sir Duncan of Lochawe when he was created Lord Campbell in 1445. 

The castle of the early Chiefs was at Innis Chonnel, on an island in Lochawe. Today, their most notable castle is Inverary Castle, which is the private home of the Chief. Other notable castles of the Campbell Clan are: 

• Kilchurn Castle 

• Castle Campbell (originally known as Castle Gloom) 

• Dunstaffnage Castle (held by the Campbells since the 15th century) 

• Carnasserie Castle 

• Finlarig Castle 

• Barcaldine Castle 

*Black Watch tartan is historically associated with the Campbell Clan because the Black Watch regiment was heavily influenced by teh Campbell leadership.

Clan MacGregor  

Origin region: Clan Gregor held lands in the Hhighlands of Scotland, namely Glenstrae, Glenlochy, Glenlyon, Glengyle, and Glenorchy.   

Tartan colours: MacGregor Red & Black, MacGregor Red & Green, MacGregor of Glengyle (two coloured red and dark blue), and MacGregor of Cardney (red and green). 

Related castles: Lanrick Castle 

Clan MacGregor, also known as Clan Gregor, are supposedly descended from an ancient royal lineage – King Kenneth MacAlpin. The clan name honours his son Gregor. Believed to have been an early chieftain or even a king from the clan’s history. Today, their chieftain is a man called Sir Malcolm MacGregor of MacGregor Bt.  

The clan’s darkest years began in 1589 when the King’s forester hung some MacGregors for poaching. The forester was then murdered and the Chief, Alasdair MacGregor of Glenstrae, took responsibility for the act. King James VI issued an edict to ban the name MacGregor. For 171 years, anyone who refused to relinquish the name MacGregor was executed or punished severely.  

Much of their land and their castles were given to Clan Campbell. For instance, Meggernie Castle was technically built by the Campbells, but the land where the castle stands was once the seat of Clan MacGregor, so the connection can be argued.  

The official clan seat of the MacGregors for over a hundred years was Lanrick Castle. And the Clan Gregor Society Museum can be found at Castle Menzies due to the clan’s links to the surrounding land. 

The persecution of the clan finally ended in 1774. Today, the clan thrives proudly, arranging and hosting events such as the Highland Games, tours to Scotland, and even facilitate research projects such as DNA projects and archaeological digs. 

Image credit: Clan Gregor website 

Clan Donald  

Origin region: Western Isles (Hebrides), Argyll, Isle of Skye 

Tartan colours: Red, green and blue (with each branch having their own variation) 

Related castles: Armadale Castle, Dunaverty Castle, Castle Tioram 

Clan Donald (also known as Clan MacDonald or Clan McDonald) is one of the largest and most powerful Scottish clans and has several branches to the clan, including: Clan Macdonald of Sleat, Clan Macdonald of Clanranald, Clan MacDonell of Glengarry, Clan MacDonald of Keppoch, Clan MacDonald of Glencoe, and Clan MacAlister. 

Clan Donald traces its ancestry to Somerled, a 12th-century Norse-Gaelic warlord who united the Western Isles and part of the mainland under his control. The name ‘Donald’ comes from Somerled’s grandson, Domhnall mac Raghnaill, who established the clan's identity. 

The clan rose to prominence as the Lord of the Isles, and they wielded immense power in the western regions of Scotland from the 13th to the 15th century, until they were forced to forfeit this title to the Crown after clashing with King James IV. 

From clan feuds to supporting the Jacobite rebellions, Clan Donald has a long and proud history which can be seen in the strongholds and relics left behind. Armadale Castle on the Isle of Skye serves as the Clan Donald Centre, a museum celebrating the clan’s history. From early clan history at the ruined Dunaverty Castle to the stronghold of Castle Tioram, the Donald clans’ influence and power was stretched far and wide across Scotland. 

Clan Macleod  

Origin region: Inner Hebrides, Outer Hebrides, Sutherland 

Tartan colours: Various 

Related castles: Dunvegan Castle 

Clan MacLeod traces its origins to Leod, born around 1200, whose sons established the MacLeods of Harris and Dunvegan, the MacLeods of the Lewes, and later branches like the MacLeods of Raasay. 

Dunvegan Castle has been the clan’s ancestral seat since the time of Leod and remains so to this day, always an emblem of the clan’s power. 

The traditional lands of the clan at one time included:

• Skye

• Raasay

• Harris

• Lewis

• North Uist

• Assynt

• Gairloch Coigach

• Glenelg

Today, the MacLeod lands are mainly in Skye, including the lands around Dunvegan, the MacLeod Tables, the Cuillin Mountains, and Glenbrittle. 

The clan’s current chief is Hugh Magnus MacLeod, but a notable chief was Dame Flora MacLeod who fostered global clanship and founded Clan Societies worldwide. 

The clan has various tartans but the most common are Harris (blue, green, yellow) and Lewis (black, yellow, red). 

Clan Mackenzie  

Origin region: Scottish Highlands and Ross-shire 

Tartan colours: Green, white, red 

Related castles: Eilean Donan Castle, Castle Leod  

Clan Mackenzie can trace its roots back to the 12th century and their history is an interesting and detailed one. The clan supported Robert the Bruce during the Wars of Scottish Independence, they feuded with the Earls of Ross, and later clashed with neighbouring clans Munro and MacDonald during the 15th and 16th centuries. 

In the 17th century, they were made Earls of Seaforth, a peerage (noble system) created by King James I, and this title was held by the Mackenzies from 1623 to 1716, and again from 1771 to 1781. The clan supported the Royalists during the Scottish Civil War and backed the Jacobites in 1715. However, by 1745, the clan became divided, with some members supporting the Jacobites and others the British-Hanoverian Government. 

The Mackenzie tartan is an iconic one and is the regimental tartan of the Seaforth Highlanders. The tartan we know today is a military tartan developed by the Mackenzie Lord MacLeod’s 73rd Highland Regiment. 

Mackenzie has several castles to their name including Castle Leod, but perhaps their most iconic is Eilean Donan Castle, which we visit on some of our tours. This striking stronghold has been used in several films including Made of Honour, Entrapment, James Bond's The World is Not Enough, and Highlander, and is a popular tourist destination and wedding venue.  

How Do Scottish Clans Work? 

The structure of Scottish clans is deeply rooted in the history, culture and geography of Scotland. Traditionally, they are kinship groups bringing family members together, but non-blood related individuals were often included if they swore allegiance to the chief of a clan. 

Each clan is led by a chief, traditionally the patriarch of the dominant family in the group. Back in the day, these chiefs were responsible for the welfare and security of the clan but also doled out the justice. Each clan has a distinct tartan pattern, with many also having mottos, crests and badges.  

Today, clans are more symbolic, focusing on heritage and cultural preservation.  

Find Your Clans History on Tour 

If you’ve spent years wondering “which Scottish clan do I belong to”, there’s no time like the present to find out! While we can’t help you with that endeavour, what we can help you with is discovering the lands and castles of your clan’s history on tour. While most of our tours have set itineraries, you might be interested in curating your own itinerary with a private tour. Get in touch with our private tours team to create your own heritage-based tour of Scotland and discover your clan’s heritage and history among the wilds of Scotland.