Indeed this Gaelic tribal culture was powerful enough to threaten the Scottish kings in the 15th century. The clan system survived until it was dismantled partly as a consequence of the final Jacobite uprising 1745-6.

In Gaelic the word "clann" means family or children. The Highland clans lived off the land, with cattle as their main wealth. Stealing cattle (sometimes in order to survive) was widespread, as were territorial disputes between clans.

There is little evidence to suggest that the old clans could be recognised by tartan alone - availability of local dyestuffs would dictate colours in locally made cloth. At Culloden, Highlanders on the government side were distinguishable from Jacobite clans only by colour of badges on bonnets - red or yellow for government, "white cockade" for Jacobites. However, legislation was passed as a result of this battle. This banned the wearing of tartan for some years.

Later, many tartans were designed or invented during the upsurge in romantic interest in the Highlands, partly through the writings of Sir Walter Scott, then, as a fashion, through Queen Victoria's embrace of all things tartan.