Ogilvie (Ogilvy) Hunting Clan Collection

I. Introduction

In the vast, windswept chronicle of Scotland’s clans, the Ogilvie Clan—here distinguished as the Ogilvie (Ogilvy) Hunting Clan—emerges as a quiet yet resolute thread, its legacy entwined with the rugged beauty of Angus and the martial spirit of a nation. Known for their Hunting tartan, a muted echo of their bolder kin, this branch of the Ogilvies carries forward a heritage of loyalty, stealth, and pride. From medieval plains to modern memory, they stand as guardians of a storied past, their tale whispered in the rustle of heather and the clash of steel.

II. Origins of the Ogilvie (Ogilvy) Hunting Clan

The Ogilvie name, shared across its branches, springs from the Brythonic "Ocel-fa," meaning "high plain," a poetic nod to the elevated lands of Angus where the clan took root. First recorded in the 12th century with Gilbert de Ogilville, who witnessed a charter under King David I around 1172, the Ogilvies claimed the barony of Ogilvy near Glamis as their heartland. The "Hunting" designation, while not a separate clan, ties to the Ogilvie Clan’s tartan variant—subdued greens and browns suited for the chase—reflecting a practical adaptation of their identity to the wilds of their domain. This subtle distinction honors their broader lineage while evoking their affinity for the hunt, a timeless pursuit in Scotland’s glens.

III. Historical Evolution of the Ogilvie (Ogilvy) Hunting Clan

A. Medieval Foundations

The Ogilvies’ medieval ascent unfolded across Angus’s high plains, their influence anchored in strongholds like Airlie Castle, perched above Glen Clova. As vassals to the Earls of Angus, they honed their skills as landowners and warriors, their stealth in the hunt mirroring their vigilance in war. By 1365, they secured the hereditary role of Sheriffs of Angus, a mantle of justice that bound them to the region’s order and defense—a role as enduring as the muted hues of their Hunting tartan.

B. Loyalty in the Shadows

The Ogilvies’ history is a tapestry of loyalty, often cast in the shadow of greater powers. During the Wars of Scottish Independence, they stood with Robert the Bruce, their quiet valor earning lands like Cortachy for Sir Patrick de Ogilvy. In the 17th century, their allegiance to the Royal House of Stuart shone through James Ogilvie, 1st Earl of Airlie, whose Royalist stand saw Airlie Castle razed by Covenanters in 1640. The Hunting Clan, clad in their subdued tartan, evokes this era of stealth and sacrifice—warriors moving unseen through glen and moor to uphold their king.

C. Nobility and Endurance

The clan’s rise to nobility peaked in 1639 when James Ogilvie was named 1st Earl of Airlie, a title reflecting their service to the Stuarts. While their influence stretched into Banffshire, the Hunting branch remained tied to Angus, their tartan a symbol of resilience amid shifting fortunes. Through centuries of upheaval, they adapted—hunters turned guardians—preserving their name in the quiet strength of their lineage.

IV. Clan Ogilvie (Ogilvy) Hunting Crest and Motto

A. Crest Symbolism

The Ogilvie crest, shared across branches, offers a woman holding a portcullis—a sentinel of defense—or a lion rampant crowned, sword in paw, symbolizing regal might. For the Hunting Clan, the lady with her portcullis resonates: a figure poised in stillness, guarding the land as a hunter guards the chase. This emblem ties their martial heritage to the subtlety of their tartan, blending vigilance with grace.

B. Clan Motto

"A Fin"—"To the End"—rings as the Ogilvie clarion call, a vow etched in their blood and woven into their Hunting garb. For this branch, it speaks of perseverance: the hunter’s patience, the warrior’s resolve, and the clan’s unyielding fidelity to their cause, whether stalking prey or standing firm for the Stuarts.

V. Clan Ogilvie (Ogilvy) Hunting Tartan

The Hunting Ogilvie tartan unfurls in a palette of muted greens, browns, and soft greys, a stark contrast to the bold reds and blacks of the clan’s primary design. Registered with the Scottish Register of Tartans, this variant mirrors the Angus landscape—verdant glens, earthy moors, and the mist of dawn. Crafted for stealth in the wild, it reflects the clan’s dual nature: noble yet practical, fierce yet restrained. Worn by those who tread softly but carry the weight of their heritage, it is a banner of quiet pride.

VI. Prominent Figures of the Ogilvie (Ogilvy) Hunting Clan

A. Sir Walter Ogilvie of Auchterhouse (d. 1392)

Sir Walter, a towering figure of the 14th century, held the Sheriffship of Angus, formalized as hereditary in 1365. His death in 1392, felled by Highland raiders alongside his brother, paints him as a hunter-warrior—tracking foes across the moors, his legacy cloaked in the hues of the Hunting tartan he might have worn.

B. James Ogilvie, 1st Earl of Airlie (1593–1666)

James, ennobled in 1639, embodies the clan’s Stuart loyalty. His stand against Covenanters cost him Airlie Castle, yet his spirit aligns with the Hunting Clan’s ethos: a leader who moved through shadows to defend his king, his resolve as enduring as the tartan’s understated threads.

VII. Conclusion

The Ogilvie (Ogilvy) Hunting Clan weaves a subtle yet striking strand through Scotland’s history, their muted tartan a cloak for a legacy of valor and fidelity. From the high plains of Angus to the smoldering ruins of Airlie, their crest and cry of "A Fin" herald a clan that hunted both game and glory with equal tenacity. Kin to Airlie, Findlater, and Gilchrist, they embody the quiet strength of Scotland’s noble past—a whisper in the wind, a shadow on the hill, a name that endures to the end.