The MacLaren clan tartan represents one of Scotland's most storied Highland families, whose legacy spans from medieval Balquhidder chiefs to distinguished military service across the British Empire and thriving communities in North America.
Clan Motto
Creag An Tuirc (The Boar's Rock)
Heritage & Identity
Who Wears MacLaren Tartan?
Worn by MacLaren descendants worldwide, sept families including Lawrence, Lorne, and MacPatrick bearers, Highland regiment veterans, and Scottish heritage enthusiasts across America, Canada, and Britain.
Associated Names
MacLaren
McLaren
MacLaurin
MacLawrin
Lawson
Lawrence
Lowrie
Lorne
MacPatrick
MacPhater
MacPadruig
Paterson
Patterson
MacLabhruinn
Laurence
Laurie
MacLaurence
MacGilleLabhair
MacLardie
MacLerie
MacClery
MacLorie
MacLarty
Military Heritage
Associated Regiments
MacLaren warriors served with valor in Highland regiments, Canadian militia units, and elite British forces, particularly excelling in Jacobite campaigns and North American frontier service throughout the Empire.
42nd Royal Highland Regiment (Black Watch)
78th Highland Regiment (Ross-shire Buffs)
79th Cameron Highlanders
Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders (Canada)
48th Highlanders of Canada
Toronto Scottish Regiment (Canada)
Cape Breton Highlanders (Canada)
Seaforth Highlanders of Canada
Shop MacLaren Tartan Products
Discover authentic MacLaren clan products including traditional kilts, Highland dress accessories, clan badges, tartan scarves, ties, and ceremonial items crafted for descendants across North America and Britain.
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MacLaren Tartans
0 Variations
Each tartan can feature several variations, with the most common being Ancient, Modern, Weathered, Hunting and Dress.
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Ancient Tartan
Before 1860, all fabric dyes came from nature — plants, berries, bark, and insects. The colours they produced were softer and more muted than what we're used to today: think mossy greens, dusty sky blues, and reds with a warm, orangey tone. A lot of people actually prefer Ancient tartans for this reason — the gentler contrasts let the pattern breathe and stand out in a way that bolder colours sometimes don't. Worth knowing: the pattern itself, called the sett, is exactly the same across all variations of a tartan. It's only the colours that change.
Modern Tartan
Modern tartans came about after 1860, when chemical dyes replaced natural ones. The difference is pretty striking. Those soft, earthy greens became deep bottle green. Pale blues turned into rich navy. Reds went from warm and muted to full-on scarlet. If you're after something bold and vivid, Modern is usually the one to go for. It's the version most people picture when they think of a classic tartan.
Weathered Tartan
Weathered tartans take their inspiration from what happens to fabric left out in the elements — faded by sun, softened by rain, worn in by time. The colours shift towards olive greens, warm browns, and very pale blues, with reds that fade down to something close to a dusty pink. It's a more rustic, lived-in look, and honestly a really beautiful one. If you want something that feels a little more understated and natural, Weathered is worth a look.
Hunting Tartan
Hunting tartans are essentially the camouflage version of a clan's tartan — greens and browns brought forward so the wearer could move through the landscape without standing out. Not every clan has one, and that's by design. If a tartan is already mostly green or brown (like the Black Watch or Gunn), there's no need to adapt it. But a tartan like the Fraser, which is predominantly red, would make someone very easy to spot in the field — so a Hunting version makes a lot of sense for clans like that.
Dress Tartan
Dress tartans were made for the big occasions — Highland games, celebrations, and traditional dance. The pattern stays the same, but the main colour is swapped out for white, or extra white is woven in to give it a lighter, more formal feel. As you'd expect from the Scots, the rules get bent every now and then — yellow has been used instead of white in some cases, which is exactly how the famously bold MacLeod Dress Modern and Barclay Dress Modern came to be.
The MacLaren Story
Four centuries of history woven into every thread
Ancient Highland Guardians
The MacLaren clan traces its ancient origins to Loarn, son of Erc, King of Dalriada, establishing themselves as hereditary chiefs of Balquhidder in Perthshire by the 13th century. Clan tradition names them descendants of Saint Laurence, with their Gaelic name 'Mac Labhruinn' meaning 'son of Laurence.' The MacLarens held extensive lands around Loch Voil and Loch Doine, serving as fierce guardians of the strategic Balquhidder glen. Early clan chiefs wielded considerable influence in medieval Scottish politics, commanding loyalty from numerous Highland septs. The family demonstrated unwavering commitment to Scottish independence, with successive generations defending their ancient territories against Norman encroachment and English domination throughout the Wars of Independence.
Defenders of Balquhidder
During the 15th and 16th centuries, the MacLaren clan expanded their influence through strategic alliances while defending their Balquhidder heartland against powerful neighbors including the Campbells and MacGregors. Notable clan chiefs included Colin MacLaren of Achtow, who consolidated clan territories, and his descendants who established cadet branches throughout Perthshire and Stirlingshire. The family weathered the religious upheavals of the Reformation while maintaining their Highland Catholic traditions and ancient clan customs. MacLarens distinguished themselves as fierce warriors, earning reputations as formidable fighters in clan battles and border raids. The clan's strategic position in Balquhidder made them essential allies to both Stewart kings and rival Highland chiefs seeking passage through their glen territories.
Where does the name MacLaren come from?
MacLaren derives from Gaelic 'Mac Labhruinn' meaning 'son of Laurence,' tracing to Saint Laurence of Rome. The name originates from Balquhidder in Perthshire, where the clan held ancient territories as descendants of Loarn of Dalriada. This patronymic surname reflects Highland tradition of honoring ancestral lineage, connecting MacLaren families to their sacred glen homeland along Loch Voil in the Scottish Highlands.
Jacobite Loyal Hearts
The 17th and 18th centuries witnessed MacLaren devotion to the Stewart cause, with clan members fighting valiantly in all major Jacobite uprisings from 1689 to Culloden in 1746. Donald MacLaren of Achtow led 300 clansmen at Culloden, where they fought alongside Prince Charles Edward Stewart until the bitter end. Following Culloden's devastation, the clan faced brutal government persecution, with many MacLarens fleeing to North America, particularly Nova Scotia, New York, and North Carolina. Despite Highland Clearances threatening their ancient way of life, MacLaren emigrants preserved their cultural traditions while establishing thriving communities across Canada and America. The clan's military traditions continued through service in Highland regiments defending the expanding British Empire.
Heritage and Expansion
Throughout the 19th century, MacLarens embraced new opportunities while maintaining clan heritage, with family members serving as officers in Highland regiments, colonial administrators in Canada and Australia, and pioneers across North America. The clan produced distinguished soldiers, including Major-General John MacLaren who served with distinction in the Crimean War and Indian campaigns. In Scotland, remaining MacLarens adapted to agricultural improvements while preserving Balquhidder clan seat traditions. The family contributed significantly to Scottish cultural revival through Highland society leadership and tartan preservation efforts. MacLaren emigrants established clan societies across Canada and America, ensuring ancient traditions survived in New World Scottish communities.
The MacLaren tartan embodies the fierce spirit of Balquhidder's ancient warriors, from Perthshire glens to global Highland communities, worn with legendary pride.
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