MacKintosh (McKintosh)
MacKintosh Clan Tartan Collection
Celebrate Clan MacKintosh with a bold red Scottish tartan — the wildcat clan of Badenoch and Inverness, captains of the great Clan Chattan, under the fierce motto Touch Not the Cat Bot a Glove.
- Featured
- Most relevant
- Best selling
- Alphabetically, A-Z
- Alphabetically, Z-A
- Price, low to high
- Price, high to low
- Date, old to new
- Date, new to old
About the MacKintosh Clan Tartan
The Scottish Register of Tartans records MacKintosh — also spelled Mackintosh and McIntosh — as a Clan/Family tartan. The MacKintosh sett is a striking red design crossed with green and blue and lined with black, one of the boldest of the central Highland tartans, worn in both ancient and modern shades, with a green-based hunting variation.
Clan MacKintosh, from the Gaelic Mac an Tòisich, "son of the leader," takes its emblem from the fierce Highland wildcat, and its warning motto Touch Not the Cat Bot a Glove reflects a clan not to be handled lightly. As captains of the Clan Chattan confederation, the MacKintoshes make this tartan especially meaningful for family pride and Scottish ancestry gifts.
MacKintosh Tartan Pattern and Colours
MacKintosh tartan is widely recognised for its bold red ground crossed with green and blue and lined with black, a warm and commanding pattern. Ancient shades appear softer and lighter, while modern shades are deeper; a green hunting MacKintosh offers a quieter alternative for country wear.
MacKintosh Heritage
The clan's ancient home lay about Inverness, Badenoch and Strathnairn, and its chiefs, the MacKintoshes of MacKintosh, held their seat at Moy Hall for six centuries. Through the marriage of a chief to the heiress of Clan Chattan, the MacKintoshes became captains of that great confederation — a union of many clans including the MacGillivrays, MacBeans and MacQueens — a leadership long disputed by the Macphersons.
The MacKintoshes were a warlike clan, feuding for generations with the Comyns and the Camerons, and following the royal and, later, the Jacobite cause. Their emblem, the wildcat, gave rise to the famous motto, and their story is a long tale of fierce independence. The name later gave the world the inventor Charles Macintosh and the architect Charles Rennie Mackintosh. The crest is a wildcat salient, the motto Touch Not the Cat Bot a Glove.
Who Is This Collection For?
This collection is made for MacKintosh, Mackintosh and McIntosh descendants, Clan Chattan kin, Inverness and Badenoch heritage lovers and anyone looking for a bold red Scottish tartan with deep Highland meaning.
- ✓ MacKintosh and McIntosh family
- ✓ Inverness and Badenoch roots
- ✓ Clan Chattan leadership heritage
- ✓ Highland games clothing
- ✓ Scottish ancestry gifts
- ✓ Bold red tartan style
How to Wear MacKintosh Tartan
MacKintosh tartan works well across caps, shirts, hoodies, scarves, ties, jackets, blankets and keepsake gifts. The bold red palette makes a commanding statement, with a green hunting sett for a softer look, suitable for everyday wear, formal events and meaningful gifts.
MacKintosh Clan Tartan FAQ
Quick answers about MacKintosh tartan, the wildcat emblem and why this design matters for Scottish heritage shoppers.
Is MacKintosh the same as Mackintosh?
Yes — MacKintosh, Mackintosh and McIntosh are all spellings of the same clan, from the Gaelic Mac an Tòisich, "son of the leader."
What is the MacKintosh tartan?
It is recorded by the Scottish Register of Tartans as a Clan/Family tartan — a bold red sett with green, blue and black, and a green hunting variation.
Why is the wildcat the MacKintosh emblem?
The Highland wildcat symbolises the clan's fierce spirit; the motto Touch Not the Cat Bot a Glove warns that the clan should not be handled without care.
What was the clan's role in Clan Chattan?
The MacKintosh chiefs were the captains of the Clan Chattan confederation, a union of many Highland clans of the central Highlands.
Where is Clan MacKintosh from?
From Inverness-shire, Badenoch and Strathnairn; the chiefs' seat was Moy Hall, south of Inverness.
Who can wear MacKintosh tartan?
People with MacKintosh or McIntosh ancestry, Clan Chattan kin or a respectful connection to the clan and Scottish heritage can wear MacKintosh tartan.
Wear the Tartan of Clan MacKintosh
Discover MacKintosh tartan clothing, accessories and gifts inspired by the wildcat clan, Clan Chattan and the fierce motto Touch Not the Cat Bot a Glove.
View MacKintosh Tartan Clothing