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A Brief History of Clan Grant

The clan motto is ‘Stand Fast Craig Elachie’ which refers to the prominent hilltop at the back of Aviemore known as Craigellachie. The Grants are a Highland clan who held lands in Aviemore and in Stratherrick on the southeastern shores of Loch Ness.

There are two schools of thought when it comes to the origins of Clan Grant. Traditional oral histories suggest that the clan are descendents of the Viking Haakon Grandt of Norway, who migrated to Scotland around 960. While other historians believe that they descend from Kenneth MacAlpin, a 9th century king of the Picts, who became King of Scots.

Sir James Grant, was considered the most accomplished Chief in his family line during the late 18th century. The affectionate title given to him by his clansmen, 'The Good Sir James', was a testament to his leadership. During times of hardship and famine, when other Highland chiefs were evicting their clansmen from their lands, Sir James went out of his way to import food and grain for his starving tenants, bearing the cost himself. He also created employment opportunities to prevent his clansmen from having to move to the lowlands or to emigrate to the New World. Sir James's most notable achievement was the creation of Grantown-on-Spey in 1765.

The Grant tartan has a red base with a green check. The hunting variety has a green base with a black check.