Scottish Clans and Tartans: A Fully Illustrated Guide to Over 140 Clans-Their History, Tartans, and Much More [ILLUSTRATED] (Hardcover)

by Neil Grant (Author)
Key Phrases: hunting tartan, cadet house, fifth earl, King James, Clan Chattan, Mary Queen of Scots (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Here is a beautiful, full-color guide and complete reference for anyone interested in the history of Scotland. The origin of Scottish clans and their distinctive dress is wrapped in controversy. Yet their story can be traced back to the middle of the fifth century-and to Ireland, where the Scots then lived. This authoritative, elegantly composed guide covers over 140 clans. Organized alphabetically, the entries include information on each clan's location and history, nomenclature, and renowned clansmen--as well as the clan's current status and development.

The Scots' ancient sense of kinship is colorfully expressed through their distinctive tartans-beautifully conveyed with full-color illustrations throughout the book, and complemented by detailed information on the color, pattern, and set of each clan. Furthermore, Scottish Clans and Tartans offers the reader breathtaking photographs of the Scottish landscape, fascinating illustrations and photos of important monuments and events, and black-and-white portraits of historically significant clansmen.

The story of Scotland's clans and tartans is one of irresistible appeal, interwoven with a history of drama, intrigue, bravery, violence, and romance.

From the Back Cover
The origin of Scottish clans and their distinctive dress is wrapped in controversy. Yet their story can be traced back to the middle of the fifth century - and to Ireland, where the Scots then lived. This authoritative, elegantly composed guide covers over 140 clans. Organized alphabetically, the entries include information on each clan's location and history, its nomenclature, and renowned clansmen - as well as the clan's current status and development. The Scots' ancient sense of kinship is colorfully expressed through their distinctive tartans - beautifully conveyed with full-color illustrations throughout the book, and complemented by detailed information on the color, pattern, and set of each clan. Furthermore, Scottish clans and tartans offers the reader breathtaking photographs of the Scottish landscape, fascinating illustrations and photos of important monuments and events, and black-and-white portraits of historically significant clansmen. The story of Scotland's clans and tartans is one of irresistible appeal, interwoven with a history of drama, intrigue, bravery, violence, and romance. (6 X 101/4, 276 pages, color photos, b&w photos)

Product Details

• Hardcover: 272 pages
• Publisher: The Lyons Press; 1st edition (March 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1585740942
• ISBN-13: 978-1585740949
• Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #947,637 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Nothing very new with this book, May 7, 2002

By	"apargellis" (New Haven, CT USA) - See all my reviews

This book was a bit of a disappointment because it does not include a lot of standard information I have seen in earlier books on clans and tartans. For instance, there is no listing of septs and other family names that are associated with some of the Highland clans. Furthermore, most people of Scottish heritage are what is referred to as "clanless Scots". But, ALL the clans at least come from a District and it would be nice to have information on the District tartans (and photos). That is also lacking. Yes, there are some nice photos of surrounding landmarks and a color swatch of each of the main highland tartans. Plus a bit of history for each of the 140 clans, but it is basic information available from several other sources.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An informative, comprehensive, nicely illustrated survey., June 4, 2000

By	Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

There have been other Scottish tartan books over the years, but this represents a weighty and involving coverage, providing an illustrated guide to over 140 clans, their histories, and their tartans. The history of the highlanders and their struggles receives full coverage and embellishment in Scottish Clans and Tartans, an excellent, illustrated guide to much more than tartans.

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Gorgeous photos..., January 26, 2003

By	C. Loomis (Darmstadt, Germany) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Scottish Clans and Tartans: A Fully Illustrated Guide to Over 140 Clans - Their History,Tartans , and Much More (Paperback)

This really is a wonderful book. I've been reading through it in the bookstore and need to pick up my own copy now. It goes into tons of clans' tartans, with a photo swatch of each one. It also has a small history for each clan and it's tartan. It also connects famous people to the clans, such as General Douglas MacArthur. It's not a very in depth book about the clans, but gives a wonderful into to each of them.

The above I wrote before I purchased the book. Now that I own it, it's even better. Even the very beginning of the book with its snippet of Scottish history is wonderful and whets the reader's appetite to learn more about Scotland.