About Me — William James McLean
My name is William James McLean, and I am the founder and creative heart behind Tartan Time Machine — a project born from a lifelong passion for Scottish heritage, clans, and history.
I was born on the 4th of September, 1991, in Elgin, Morayshire, Scotland, and was adopted at the age of two by the McLean family, proudly carrying forward the name and spirit of Clan MacLean. My deep appreciation for Scottish identity and tradition runs through everything I do — from researching centuries-old family lineages to exploring the timeless beauty of Scotland’s castles, kirks, and graveyards, where stories of the past still whisper through stone and heather.
Tartan Time Machine is both a creative studio and a journey through Scotland’s living history — blending art, design, and ancestral storytelling. I spend much of my time designing Scottish-themed artwork, tartan-inspired products, and digital experiences that celebrate the clans, landscapes, and legends that make our heritage so unique.
Through this work, I aim to connect the modern world with the soul of old Scotland — where every tartan tells a story, every crest carries honour, and every stone remembers.
Welcome to Tartan Time Machine — a place where the past and present weave together in true Scottish spirit.
— William James McLean
Founder, Designer & Historian
Tartan Time Machine