The Tartans of Clan Grant

It is the prerogative of the chief of a clan to identify and authenticate the pattern to be known as the tartan of his clan.  Our Chief, the Right Honorable Lord Strathspey, Sir James Patrick Trevor Grant of Grant, Baronet, selected the tartan designated by Plate XIX in The Tartans of the Clans of Scotland (below).

The tartan of the Black Watch, the 42^nd or Royal Highland Regiment, also has a long association with the Clan Grant.  A precursor of the Black Watch tartan was worn by the six Independent Companies formed in the highlands in 1725 by General (later Field Marshal) George Wade.  The Independent Companies were called Am Freiceadan Dubh, the Black Watch, almost certainly because of the dark, somber colors of their plaids. 

        One of the companies was originally recruited and commanded by Col. William Grant of Ballindalloch, and after his death in 1733, by the brother of the Chief of Grant, Major George Grant.  It is almost certainly because of this early association that the Black Watch tartan also became known as the ‘Grant Hunting tartan’.

[For a comprehensive overview of other tartans associated with the Clan Grant, see “Some Grant Tartans” under the heading “For Members Only.”]