Rose Hunting Clan Collection

I. Introduction

In the shadowed glens and windswept hills of Scotland’s Highlands, Clan Rose stands as a quiet sentinel of history, its roots entwined with the land of Nairnshire. Known for their steadfastness, the Roses have borne their legacy through centuries of tumult, their story enriched by the vibrant threads of their Hunting tartan. This muted weave of greens and browns, a hallmark of the clan, evokes the forests and moors of their ancestral domain, binding their past to the rugged soul of Scotland.

II. Origins of Clan Rose

The name Rose blooms from Norman soil, carried to Scotland as de Ros—a nod to the flower or the region of Ross—by settlers in the 12th century. Settling in Kilravock, Nairnshire, the clan’s first laird, Hugh Rose of Geddes, emerges in 1290, pledging fealty to Edward I in the Ragman Rolls. Their Gaelic echo, Clann Rois, ties them to the Highland tapestry, with Kilravock Castle, raised in 1460, as their enduring bastion.

III. Historical Evolution of Clan Rose

A. Medieval Roots

The Roses took root in medieval Scotland as lairds of Kilravock, their influence growing through alliances with the Earls of Ross and Moray lords. A charter from James II in 1446 affirmed their tenure, anchoring their status amid the Wars of Scottish Independence.

B. Jacobite Shadows

The 18th century tested their resolve, as Hugh Rose, 15th of Kilravock, balanced loyalties during the Jacobite risings, hosting both Bonnie Prince Charlie and the Duke of Cumberland in 1746. This diplomacy preserved their lands through chaos.

C. Tartan’s Rise

The Hunting tartan, with its earthy palette, emerged in the 19th-century tartan revival, reflecting the clan’s bond with Nairnshire’s wild landscapes—a practical garb for the hunt and a symbol of their enduring presence.

IV. Clan Rose Crest and Motto

A. Crest Symbolism

The Clan Rose crest features a harp on a chapeau Gules furred Ermine, a striking emblem of harmony and heritage. The harp, a nod to Celtic bardic tradition, evokes the clan’s cultural depth, while the roses—echoing their name—symbolize beauty, resilience, and perhaps their Norman roots. Together, they paint a portrait of a clan attuned to both art and endurance.

B. Clan Motto

The motto Constant and True encapsulates the Roses’ ethos. It speaks to their unwavering loyalty—to kin, king, and country—and their steadfastness through Scotland’s storms. This phrase, simple yet profound, mirrors the clan’s quiet strength, a virtue honed across generations of Highland life.

V. Clan Rose Hunting Tartan

The Hunting tartan, with a blue-based tartan, features shades of green and orange, reflects the Clan's peaceful mood and diplomatic relations, and is associated with Kilravoch Castle, the home of the chief, settled in Nairnshire since the 12th century.

VI. Prominent Figures of Clan Rose

A. Hugh Rose, 15th of Kilravock (1663–1732)

The "Black Baron" steered the clan through Jacobite turmoil, his dark-clad figure a symbol of steadfastness.

B. Elizabeth Rose (1747–1815)

Her wit and charm drew Robert Burns to Kilravock, weaving the clan into Scotland’s literary lore.

VII. Conclusion

Clan Rose, through their Hunting tartan, threads a legacy of constancy across Scotland’s history. From medieval lairds to modern heirs, their story is a quiet hymn to the Highlands’ enduring bloom.