Clan Robertson
Clann Dhònnchaidh
The Robertsons are Clan Donnachaidh, the children of Duncan, a Highland Perthshire clan whose chiefs are the Robertsons of Struan. Their red tartan was recorded by Wilsons of Bannockburn in 1819.
History
The Robertsons are known in Gaelic as Clann Dhònnchaidh, the children of Duncan, and the clan society still uses the name Clan Donnachaidh. There are two accounts of their origin. One makes the founder a son of Angus Mòr of the Isles. The other, favoured within the clan, derives them from the Celtic Earls of Atholl, and through them from King Duncan I. Neither can be proved.
The first recognised chief is Donnchadh Reamhar, 'Stout Duncan'. He is said to have supported Robert the Bruce through the Wars of Independence, and clan tradition has him leading his people at Bannockburn in 1314. Tradition also says the Clach na Brataich, the 'ensign stone' kept by the chiefs, was found on the march to that battle. The surname Robertson comes from a later chief called Robert, usually said to be Robert Riabhach, the 4th chief.
The clan's great moment came in 1437. After James I was murdered, Robert Riabhach, the 4th chief, captured Sir Robert Graham, the leader of the killers. In 1451 James II rewarded him by making the clan lands into the free Barony of Struan. Clan accounts date the crest of a hand holding up a crown to this grant. The chained wild man shown beneath the chief's arms recalls the same capture.
The clan's country lay in Highland Perthshire, in Atholl and around Struan and Loch Rannoch. Early strongholds stood in Rannoch and at Invervack near Struan, and the Robertsons of Lude were an important branch. Bracken is the plant badge most often given for the clan, though older lists name fine-leaved heath. In the civil wars the clan came out for Charles I and fought under Montrose.
The Robertsons were steady Jacobites. Alexander Robertson of Struan, the 'Poet Chief', was born about 1670. He joined Viscount Dundee's rising in 1689 and was attainted the following year. He came out again in 1715, and once more in 1745 as an old man. Clan tradition says he travelled home in General Cope's captured carriage. He died in 1749. In 1745 the clan's fighting strength was put at 700 men.
The estates did not last. Clan accounts record that the 18th chief sold the Struan estates in 1854 to pay debts, and that the last of the lands went in 1926. The Clan Donnachaidh Society was founded in 1893, and clan accounts say the chiefs' burial ground at Dunalastair was acquired for the clan in 1991. The principal surnames of the clan are Robertson, Duncan and Reid.
Clan Robertson tartans
Names and reference numbers follow the Scottish Register of Tartans. Mills sell most setts in modern, ancient and weathered colourways. The pattern is the same; only the shades change.
RobertsonClan tartan · Register ref. 3527The red Robertson, recorded by Wilsons of Bannockburn in 1819. W. & A. Smith wrote in 1850 that it 'has always been known as The Robertson'. The Register notes that Wilsons' version used purple where James Logan recorded blue in 1831.
Robertson HuntingHunting tartan · Register ref. 3532A dark blue and green sett with a white line. The Register says the chief sealed it as the true clan tartan in 1816 for the Highland Society of London, and that it is thought to be the sett worn by the Loyal Clan Donnachie Volunteers raised in 1803.
Robertson of StruanOther sett · Register ref. 3536Named for the chiefly line and dated 1816 in the Register. Its notes say the thread count has been confirmed against the original in the Highland Society of London's collection.
Get the kilt
When you order a kilt, ask for the tartan by its full name — for example “Robertson” — and say which colourway you want. “Modern” is dark and strong, “ancient” is lighter, “weathered” is muted. The sett is the same in each.
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Wear the colours
Our own Robertson range is on its way: the name, the tartan and the motto on a heavyweight tee, a hoodie and a mug. About the shop.
Lands and seats
- Struan. The clan lands were made the Barony of Struan in 1451, and the chiefs take their designation from it.
- Dunalastair. Former residence of the chiefs near Loch Rannoch, sold in the 1850s. Several chiefs are buried in the walled graveyard here.
Surnames
The clan name and its spellings
- Robertson
Names associated with Clan Robertson
- Robson
- Duncan
- Reid
- Duncanson
- Donachie
- MacConachie
- MacRobert
- MacRobbie
- Robbie
- Roberts
- Robinson
- Robison
- Dobbie
- Dobson
- Collier
- Inches
- MacInroy
- MacLagan
- MacIver
- MacGlashan
- MacWilliam
- Roy
- Stark
- Duncan: One of the three principal names of the clan, from Donnchadh.
- Reid: One of the three principal names of the clan. A common surname with many other origins.
- Donachie: From the Gaelic Donnchaidh; listed with Dunnachie and MacDonachie.
- MacConachie: Similar forms such as MacConnochie also appear in Clan Campbell sept lists.
- Roberts: A common surname with many other origins.
- Robinson: A common surname with many other origins.
- Collier: Listed with Colyear.
- MacIver: Also appears in Clan Campbell sept lists.
- MacGlashan: Also appears in sept lists for the Stewarts of Atholl.
“Associated” means the name appears in published sept lists for this clan. It does not prove descent, and many names are linked to more than one clan. Where your family lived is often the better clue.
Questions people ask
What is the Robertson tartan?
The main Robertson tartan is a bright red sett with green and dark blue, recorded by Wilsons of Bannockburn in 1819. The dark Hunting Robertson was sealed by the chief in 1816, according to the Scottish Register of Tartans.
Why is Clan Robertson called Clan Donnachaidh?
Donnachaidh is Gaelic for Duncan. The clan takes its Gaelic name from Donnchadh Reamhar, 'Stout Duncan', its first recognised chief. The surname Robertson came later, from a chief named Robert.
What is the Robertson motto and crest?
The motto is Virtutis gloria merces, 'Glory is the reward of valour'. The crest is a right hand holding up an imperial crown, which clan accounts date to 1451, after the 4th chief captured the murderer of James I.
Are Duncan and Reid part of Clan Robertson?
Duncan and Reid are named with Robertson as the principal surnames of Clan Donnachaidh, and the clan society lists about fifty associated names. Both are common surnames, so not every Duncan or Reid family has a link to the clan.
Sources
- Clan Donnachaidh Society — donnachaidh.com
- Clan Donnachaidh History — robertson.org
- Clan Robertson — Electric Scotland
- History of Dunalastair Estate — Dunalastair Estate
- Clan History — Clan Donnachaidh Society, Rocky Mountain Branch
- Members: chiefs — Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs
- Clan Donnachaidh — Wikipedia (supplementary check)
- Scottish Register of Tartans: Robertson 1819 — tartanregister.gov.uk
- Scottish Register of Tartans: Robertson Hunting — tartanregister.gov.uk
- Scottish Register of Tartans: Robertson of Struan 1816 — tartanregister.gov.uk
Clan histories are contested and sources disagree. If you can correct something here with a source, write to hello@tartanflag.com. Last updated 17 September 2026.