Chattan Confederation

Clan Chattan (Scottish Gaelic: Na Catanaich or Scottish Gaelic: Clann Chatain) is a Highland Scottish clan. The clan is unique in highland clan history in that it was a community or confederation, of twelve separate Scottish clans, who each had their own clan chief recognized under Scottish law, but who were united under and bound to a superior chief of the confederation for mutual solidarity, sustenance and protection in the Middle Ages and early modern period in the Scottish Highlands.

There is a theory that the name Chattan came from the Catti who were a tribe of Gauls who had been driven out by the Romans. Another theory is that the name comes from Catav in Sutherland. The most widely accepted theory is that they descended from Gillichattan Mor who was the great servant of Saint Cathan. Gillichattan is believed to have been the co-arb or bailie of the abbey lands of Ardchattan.

In the time of Malcolm II of Scotland the Clan Chattan possessed the lands of Glenloy and Loch Arkaig. It was here that Tor Castle became the clan chief's seat. Not much is certain about the history of the clan until towards the end of the 13th century. Eva, daughter of Gilpatric or Dougal Dall, 6th chief of Clan Chattan in Lochaber married Angus Mackintosh, 6th chief of the Clan Mackintosh in 1291. Thus Angus Mackintosh became 7th chief of Clan Chattan. They lived together at Tor Castle before withdrawing to Rothiemurchus due to the enmity of Aonghus Óg of Islay, chief of Clan Donald. As a result, the lands at Arkaig were occupied by the Clan Cameron who claimed that they had been abandoned. This was the beginning of a long and bitter feud that was fought between the Clan Chattan and Clan Cameron until 1666.

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