“MacIntyre (Hunting Ancient)”

MacIntyre—This name is generally accepted as being derived from the Gaelic Mac an-t-saoir, meaning “son of the carpenter.” They are of ancient origin and claim to have sprung from the Clan Donald and to have occupied the land of Glen Noe, Lochetive, for almost 600 years. They were a small clan, and people of the name were found in various parts of Scotland. Some attached themselves to the Stewarts of Appin and fought in the Appin Regiment during the 1745 Rising. The Badenoch MacIntyres were attached to Clan Chattan.

And according to the history on the label for a tie of the same tartan:

The progenitor of the Clan Macintyre is said to be a certain carpenter who followed MacDonald to Sleat. On one occasion the chiefs’ galley sprang a leak, whereupon this carpenter thrust his thumb into the hole and cut it off, so that he could assist in the work of sailing the galley and so saving his chiefs’ life. It was from this man’s son, Mac an-t-Saoir, that the clan took its name.

The Macintyres left Skye in the early 14th century and settled in Glen Noe, near Bunawe, and in Glenorchy. They held these lands off the Campbells for some five centuries, when, having foolishly commuted their ancient rent of one white fatted calf and a snowball into money payment, they could no longer afford the sum demanded and were forced to leave.

The most famous of this race is Duncan Ban Macintyre, hunter and poet of Glenorchy, born in 1724. His verses are recognised to be the finest in Gaelic literature.

Badge: Purple Heather

You can see this tartan, Ancient Hunting MacIntyre, at Burnett’s and Struth Scottish Regalia Ltd.