The traditions, songs, and records of the Mac Leans contain references
of a much earlier date to this tartan than do any authenticated
collection of, or published work on, particular designs. In a charter
of 1587-8 granting Hector Mac Lean, heir of Duart, certain lands in
Islay, the feu-duty is made payable in the form of sixty ells of cloth
of white, black, and green colours. On the suppression of the religious
houses the impost is again mentioned in connection with the assets of
the churches. This very curious feu-duty exigible in tartan is dealt
with, and the references contained in the charters printed in full, in
the Introduction. The old Gaelic song, “Moladh rann do Shir Eachainn
Mac Gillian Trath Dhubhairt,” has the following verse:—
Bu mhian leam am breacan tlàth,
Breacan uain’ ’us dubh ’us geal:
Datha sar Mhich-Ghillian am flath—
Sud an laoch a fhuair mo ghaol.
Dear to me the tartan plaid,
The plaid of green and black and white:
The colours of the brave Mac Lean—
The hero of my love.
The pattern is universally acknowledged by the clan.
[Illustration: XXIII. MAC LEAN: HUNTING]