Clan MacGillivray: Ancient Warriors of Clan Chattan, Defenders of Culloden, and Sons of the Gillie-Bràidhe
Clan MacGillivray (Gaelic: Clann Mhic Gille Bhreathain or Mac Gille-Bhrae) is one of the oldest and most honourable clans of the Highlands, famed for their fierce loyalty, poetic spirit, and unwavering devotion to the Clan Chattan Confederation. Best remembered as heroic front-line fighters at the Battle of Culloden, the MacGillivrays epitomise the courage, sacrifice, and noble endurance that define Highland heritage.
Their motto, “Touch Not This Clan,” reflects a lineage that has never surrendered its identity, even through centuries of warfare, displacement, and diaspora.
Origins: Sons of the Gillie-Bràidhe (Servant of Saint Brigit)
1. The Gaelic Name
The name MacGillivray derives from Mac Gille Bhreathain, meaning:
“Son of the servant of (Saint) Brigid.
Saint Brigid — a beloved Celtic saint — was widely revered in early medieval Scotland and Ireland.
This makes the MacGillivray lineage both ancient and ecclesiastical in origin.
2. Early Roots in Moray & Nairn
Tradition holds that the MacGillivrays originated in:
Moray
Nairnside
Early Pictish–Gaelic communities
They likely served as:
Lay ecclesiastics
Monastic guardians
Administrators of early churches
3. Joining Clan Chattan
By the medieval period, the MacGillivrays became a principal clan within the Clan Chattan Confederation, led by the Mackintoshes.
This alliance shaped much of their later military and political history.
Territories & Clan Seats
1. Dunmaglass
The principal seat of the MacGillivray chiefs for centuries.
Located in Strathnairn, near Inverness, Dunmaglass was:
A strategic Highland stronghold
A centre of cattle raising and clan governance
A vital member-territory of Clan Chattan
2. Daviot & Strathnairn
Numerous MacGillivray tacks and farms stretched through:
Daviot
Farr
The Nairn Valley
The slopes of the Monadhliath Mountains
These lands formed a resilient Gaelic community well into the 18th century.
Crest, Motto & Clan Symbols
Crest:
A cat-a-mountain rampant, linking the clan unmistakably to the Clan Chattan Confederation.
Motto:
“Touch Not This Clan.”
A bold statement of defiance and unity.
Badge:
The pine, symbolising strength and longevity in harsh Highland climates.
Arms:
Arms associated with the clan include:
Wildcats
Swords
Celtic knotwork
Mountain imagery
Clan MacGillivray in the Clan Chattan Confederation
The MacGillivrays were one of the principal clans within Clan Chattan, along with:
Mackintosh (chiefs of the confederation)
MacBean
MacPherson
Shaw
Farquharson
Davidson
Within the confederation, the MacGillivrays served as:
Heavy infantry
Formation leaders
Defenders of the Mackintosh chief
Key contributors to disputes and feuds involving Clan Chattan
Their loyalty was considered exemplary.
Battles, Warfare & the Jacobite Cause
1. Clan Battles
The MacGillivrays took part in many Highland conflicts involving Clan Chattan, including:
Feuds with Clan Cameron
Raids involving Clan Gordon and Clan Grant
Defence of Chattan lands during periods of turbulence
2. The Jacobite Risings
1715 Rising
Many MacGillivrays sided with Clan Chattan on behalf of the Jacobites.
1745 Rising
This was the clan’s defining moment.
The Battle of Culloden (1746)
Clan Chattan formed part of the front line of the Jacobite right wing.
Leading the MacGillivrays was:
Colonel Alexander MacGillivray of Dunmaglass,
who fell heroically in hand-to-hand combat against government infantry.
By the battle’s end:
Most of the MacGillivray clansmen were killed
The chief and many prominent officers died
Clan Chattan suffered some of the highest casualties on the field
It was one of the greatest clan sacrifices in Highland history.
Decline and Diaspora
After Culloden and the suppression of Highland culture:
MacGillivray lands were pressured and fragmented
Many families emigrated
Dunmaglass eventually passed out of clan hands
Traditional Gaelic customs were suppressed
Where They Settled
Large MacGillivray communities formed in:
Nova Scotia (especially Antigonish and Pictou)
Ontario
The Carolinas
Australia and New Zealand
Glasgow and the Central Belt
The clan remained culturally active even as its homeland diminished.
Tartans of Clan MacGillivray
Distinct tartans associated with the clan include:
1. MacGillivray Modern
Blue and green sett with red overlines.
2. MacGillivray Ancient
Lighter, natural-dyed version.
3. MacGillivray Hunting
Earthy greens and blues suited to Highland terrain.
MacGillivrays also traditionally wore Clan Chattan tartans.
Branches, Septs & Name Variants
Surname Variants:
MacGillivray
McGillivray
MacGillavry
McGillivrie
MacIllevaich (Gaelicised form)
Clan Branches:
MacGillivray of Dunmaglass (chief line)
Families of Daviot and Farr
MacGillivray bardic lines in Strathnairn
The chiefly line is officially recognised today.
Modern Clan Organisation & Revival
Despite the devastation after Culloden, the clan eventually revived.
Chief:
The modern chief of Clan MacGillivray is Iain MacGillivray, officially recognised by the Lord Lyon.
Clan Societies:
Active branches exist in:
Scotland
Canada
USA
Australia
New Zealand
The clan appears at:
The Inverness Highland Games
Clan Chattan gatherings
International Scottish festivals
Clan MacGillivray Facts at a Glance
Name: MacGillivray / McGillivray
Gaelic: Mac Gille Bhreathain
Meaning: “Son of the servant of Saint Brigid”
Region: Strathnairn, Daviot, Moray
Crest: Wildcat rampant
Motto: Touch Not This Clan
Badge: Pine
Tartans: Modern, Ancient, Hunting
Allies: Clan Chattan
Rivals: Cameron, Gordon (historic)
Chief: Iain MacGillivray
Conclusion
Clan MacGillivray is one of the Highland clans whose history is written in courage, blood, and unbreakable devotion. From their ancient ecclesiastical origins to their fierce loyalty within the Clan Chattan Confederation, the MacGillivrays shaped Scotland’s martial and cultural heritage in profound ways.
Their heroic stand at Culloden remains one of the most powerful symbols of Highland honour.
Their motto — “Touch Not This Clan” — speaks not only to defiance, but to a heritage proudly guarded across centuries.
Today, from Strathnairn to Nova Scotia and beyond, the MacGillivray name endures as a testament to the indomitable Highland spirit.