Nicolson Green Hunting Clan Collection

I. Introduction

Amid the untamed beauty of Scotland’s Western Isles, Clan Nicolson Green Hunting strides forth, their vibrant tartan a banner of the hunt and the wild.

This iteration of the Nicolsons reflects a clan attuned to the rhythms of nature, their history a dance of survival and sovereignty in Skye’s unforgiving terrain.

II. Origins of Clan Nicolson Green Hunting

Born of the same Norse-Gaelic stock as their kin, the Nicolsons of Skye held lands in Trotternish from at least the 14th century.

The “Green Hunting” tartan—dominated by rich forest greens—evokes the lush glens and wooded hills of their domain, a nod to their role as stewards of the wild under the MacDonald banner.

III. Historical Evolution

As keepers of Scorrybreac, the Nicolsons wielded influence until the Lordship’s fall in 1493 scattered their fortunes.

The 16th century saw their chiefly line fade, yet their hunting prowess—symbolized in their tartan—lived on in descendants who roamed Skye’s rugged expanses, adapting to a world of shifting allegiances.

IV. Clan Nicolson Green Hunting Crest, Motto and Tartan

A. Crest Symbolism

The Nicolson crest features a lion’s head erased, or, armed and langued gules—a golden lion’s head with red tongue and claws, severed at the neck.

This potent symbol evokes courage, nobility, and ferocity, reflecting the clan’s martial heritage and their role as protectors of their Isle domains.

The lion, a king among beasts, mirrors the Nicolsons’ aspirations to lead and defend, even in the face of adversity.

B. Clan Motto

The motto “Generositate” Latin for “By Generosity” speaks to a core virtue of the clan.

It suggests a legacy not only of strength but of magnanimity—a willingness to share and uplift, perhaps a nod to their communal role on Skye.

This phrase encapsulates an ideal that transcends the clan’s tumultuous history, offering a glimpse into their moral compass.

C. Clan Nicolson Green Hunting Tartan

The Nicolson tartan displays an intricate pattern of green and blue, with subtle accents of gold. The colors represent the lush landscapes of Skye and the shimmering waters that surround the clan’s homeland. This tartan serves as a visual tribute to the Nicolsons' legacy and the natural beauty of their ancestral lands.

V. Prominent Figures

Malcolm MacNicol, the last recorded chief circa 1600, embodies this line’s twilight.

His lands passing to the MacLeods mark a poignant end, yet his legacy as a hunter-chief endures in the tartan’s bold greens.

VI. Conclusion

Clan Nicolson Green Hunting is a vibrant ode to the wild spirit of Skye—a clan of stalkers and survivors whose tartan captures the pulse of the land they roamed.

Their story is one of harmony with nature, a Highland echo that resonates still.