MAC LEAN: HUNTING.
The traditions, songs, and records of the Mac Leans contain references of a much earlier date to this tartan than do any authenticated collection of, or published work on, particular designs. In a charter of 1587-8 granting Hector Mac Lean, heir of Duart, certain lands in Islay, the feu-duty is made payable in the form of sixty ells of cloth of white, black, and green colours. On the suppression of the religious houses the impost is again mentioned in connection with the assets of the churches. This very curious feu-duty exigible in tartan is dealt with, and the references contained in the charters printed in full, in the Introduction. The old Gaelic song, “Moladh rann do Shir Eachainn Mac Gillian Trath Dhubhairt,” has the following verse:—
Bu mhian leam am breacan tlàth,Breacan uain’ ’us dubh ’us geal:Datha sar Mhich-Ghillian am flath—Sud an laoch a fhuair mo ghaol.Dear to me the tartan plaid,The plaid of green and black and white:The colours of the brave Mac Lean—The hero of my love.
Bu mhian leam am breacan tlàth,Breacan uain’ ’us dubh ’us geal:Datha sar Mhich-Ghillian am flath—Sud an laoch a fhuair mo ghaol.Dear to me the tartan plaid,The plaid of green and black and white:The colours of the brave Mac Lean—The hero of my love.
Bu mhian leam am breacan tlàth,Breacan uain’ ’us dubh ’us geal:Datha sar Mhich-Ghillian am flath—Sud an laoch a fhuair mo ghaol.Dear to me the tartan plaid,The plaid of green and black and white:The colours of the brave Mac Lean—The hero of my love.
Bu mhian leam am breacan tlàth,
Breacan uain’ ’us dubh ’us geal:
Datha sar Mhich-Ghillian am flath—
Sud an laoch a fhuair mo ghaol.
Dear to me the tartan plaid,
The plaid of green and black and white:
The colours of the brave Mac Lean—
The hero of my love.
The pattern is universally acknowledged by the clan.
XXIII. MAC LEAN: HUNTING
XXIII. MAC LEAN: HUNTING