Tartan Samples

Tartan samples are a great way to help you decide which tartan you prefer. To order a tartan sample, click here.

A Brief History of Clan Gunn

The Gunn Clan Motto is Aut pax aut bellum (Either peace or war). The Clan is associated with lands in the northeast of Scotland as well as Caithness and Sutherland. Clan Gunn is one of Scotland’s oldest Clans and is thought to have originated from the Norse Jarls of Orkney and the Pictish Mormaers of Caithness.

While the general consensus is that Clan Gunn originated from Norse ancestry, the first official records of the Gunn name was in the mid 15th century. This was thanks to George Gunn, who was the coroner of Caithness at the time. 'George' Gunn was known as Am Braisdeach Mor which translated means the great brooch-wearer. This was due to the badge that he would wear as a ritual for being the coroner. 

Clann Gunn’s history is littered with great battles and rivalries with the various clans but notably with Clan Keith and Clan MacKay. They also had prominent roles in the Scottish Wars of Independence, fighting for King Charles and later during the Jacobite uprising. This made the Clan well known for being a fierce and passionate highland Clan.

The Clan Gunn tartan is of traditional design and features greens, blacks, blues and a line of red in the modern and ancient variations. However, there is also a weathered version that trades the greens and blues for more earthy colours whilst keeping the line of red.