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Clan Innes
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| Clan Innes | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 Crest: A boar's head erased Proper. | |||
| Motto | Be Traist (be faithful) | ||
| Profile | |||
| Region | Highlands | ||
| District | Moray | ||
| Plant badge | Great Bulrush | ||
| Clan Innes no longer has a chief, and is an armigerous clan | |||
| Historic seat | Innes House (1640–1767) | ||
| Last Chief | Sir James Innes, 6th Baronet | ||
| Died | 19 July 1823 | ||
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Clan Innes is a Highland and Lowland Scottish clan. The clan takes its name from the lands of Innes in Moray, Scotland. The de facto chief of the clan is the Duke of Roxburghe, directly descended in the male line from the Innes Baronets, chiefs of the name.
History
[edit]Clan Innes claims descent from a Berowald, a Flemish knight, who was given the lands of Innes by Malcolm IV of Scotland in 1160. Berowald's grandson, Walter, assumed the surname Innes and was granted a charter of confirmation by Alexander II of Scotland in 1226. In 1452, Robert Innes, the eleventh laird, fought under the Earl of Huntly at the Battle of Brechin. He later founded the Greyfriars of Elgin in an attempt to repay for his sins. The twentieth chief of Clan Innes, Sir Robert, was a Member of Parliament for Moray and was made a baronet of Nova Scotia in 1625. The third baronet, Sir James, married Lady Margaret Ker (whom through the sixth baronet inherited the Ker dukedom of Roxburghe. The twenty-fifth chief (and sixth baronet), Sir James Innes, claimed the dukedom of Roxburghe in 1805 when the previous duke died without a direct heir. Later, in 1812 the House of Lords ruled in favour of Sir James, rejecting claims by the heir female of the second earl and heir male whatsoever of the first earl. Because of the ruling Sir James took the surname Innes-Ker and was titled James Innes-Ker, 5th Duke of Roxburghe.[4] The present duke of Roxburghe is heir to the chiefship of the clan, however since he bears the surname Innes-Ker the Lord Lyon King of Arms will not recognise him as chief of the name Innes.[5]
Clan Chiefs
[edit]- 1st Berowald Innes né Flandrensis 1120-1180, father of
- 2nd John Innes 1150-1225 father of
- 3rd Walter Innes 1180-1240, father of
- 4th Alexander Innes 1200-1260, father of
- 5th William Innes 1240-1290, father of
- 6th William Innes 1270-1320, father of
- 7th William Innes 1300-1372, father of
- 8th Robert Innes 1353-1381, father of
- 9th Alexander Innes 1367-1412, father of
- 10th Walter Innes 1383-1456, father of
- 11th Robert Innes Bef 1427-1464, father of
- 12th James Innes 1440-1491, father of
- 13th Alexander Innes 1465-1537, father of
- 14th Alexander Innes 1503-1553, father of
- 15th William Innes 1522-1565, father of
- 16th Alexander Innes (no issue) 1553-1577, brother of
- 17th John Innes (no issue) 1556-1587, cousin of
- 18th Alexander Innes 1537-1580, father of
- 19th Robert Innes 1562-1596, father of
- 20th Robert Innes 1584-1658, father of
- 21st Robert Innes 1619-1689, father of
- 22nd James Innes -1694, father of
- 23rd Henry Innes -5 Nov 1721, father of
- 24th Henry Innes -31 Oct 1762, father of
- 25th James Innes-Kerr né Innes 1736-1823, Duke of Roxburgh
Chiefdom lapsed due to non-recognition by Lord Lyon.
Heraldry
[edit]
The crest badge suitable for clan members to wear contains the heraldic crest of a boar's head erased Proper, and the heraldic motto of BE TRAIST.[6]
Tartans
[edit]Clan Innes has two historical tartans, They are called "Innes Red" and "Innes Hunting", Innes Red is the first Tartan discovered, However, there are many variations of the Innes Red, The most known version is titled in the Scottish Register of Tartans as "Innes (Of Moray)" other versions are called "Innes (D C Stewart)" and "Innes" the one most commonly used is "Innes (of Moray)"
The Innes Hunting tartan is the newest found tartan, It was registered on the Scottish Register of Tartans by Colin Innes of Tulchan with agreement of The Duke of Roxburghe in the Lyon Court Books 19, April, 1969. It is identical to the "Innes (miniature)" tartan taken from a miniature of Georgina Innes at Edingight. There are many other Tartans registered to Clan Innes, These include "Innes of Cowie", "Innes Dress" and "Innes Red, Dress (Dance)". [7]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Innes Clan Society USA "Septs and names"
- ^ Margo Todd (2002). The Culture of Protestantism in Early Modern Scotland. Yale University Press. p. 375. ISBN 978-0-300-09234-9.
- ^ "Innes House". CANMORE. Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland. Retrieved 11 May 2010.
- ^ "Clan Innes". Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs (clanchiefs.org). Archived from the original on 26 July 2011. Retrieved 1 November 2008.
- ^ "The Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs Requirements for Recognition". Archived from the original on 26 February 2012. Retrieved 3 September 2009.
- ^ Way of Plean, George; Squire, Romilly (2000). Clans & Tartans. Glasgow: HarperCollins. p. 132. ISBN 0-00-472501-8.
- ^ Scottish Register of Tartans
External links
[edit]
Clan Innes
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Origins
Name and Etymology
The surname Innes is derived from the Gaelic word Innis, meaning "island," "meadow," or "greens," which describes the low-lying, river-surrounded geography of the barony in Moray where the clan originated.[1][6] This topographic name likely refers to the lands between the Rivers Spey and Lossie, forming an insular or meadow-like area along the Moray Firth.[7] The clan's progenitor was Berowald, a Flemish nobleman, who received a charter granting him the barony of Innes from King Malcolm IV of Scotland in 1160, establishing the family's association with the territory.[8] Berowald's grandson, Walter, formally adopted the surname Innes—taking it from the lands—and obtained a charter of confirmation for the barony from King Alexander II in 1226, solidifying the family's nomenclature.[2] Over time, the surname has evolved into various forms, including Innis, Ennis, Inniss, Ince, and Inch, reflecting regional phonetic adaptations and English influences.[6][9] These variants maintain the core connection to the original Gaelic place name and the clan's territorial roots in Moray.[2]Founding and Early Lands
The founding of Clan Innes traces to 1160, when King Malcolm IV of Scotland granted the barony of Innes to Berowald, a Flemish nobleman, through a charter dated 25 December.[8] This grant encompassed lands situated between the River Lossie and the River Spey in Morayshire, including areas such as Nether Urquhart, in exchange for the tenure service of one knight at Elgin Castle.[8] The barony's name derives from the Gaelic "Innis," reflecting its geographical features of meadows and islands formed by local streams, which solidified the family's initial territorial base near Elgin along the south shore of the Moray Firth.[10][1] Berowald's lineage further entrenched the clan's holdings in the early 13th century. His grandson, Walter—in the line through Berowald's son John—received a royal confirmation of these lands from King Alexander II on 20 January 1226, marking the formal adoption of the surname "de Ineys" by Walter as the first recorded instance.[8] This charter reaffirmed the barony's extent and privileges, drawing from notarial copies preserved in Scottish archives.[8] Through these early grants, the Innes family rapidly consolidated power as a regional force in Morayshire, exerting influence over key parishes such as Urquhart and Lhanbryde by the mid-13th century.[1][10] Their control extended to surrounding districts, establishing the clan as a prominent landholding entity amid the province's feudal landscape.[10]History
Medieval Period
During the 14th and 15th centuries, Clan Innes significantly expanded its influence in the province of Moray through strategic alliances, particularly marriages to prominent families such as the Gordons, Stewarts, and Dunbars, and through royal charters granting additional lands. Key acquisitions included Aberchirder and Rathmakenyie in 1464, Ogstoun in 1473, Balmaddis in 1474, and Walkmyltoun in 1488, which extended their holdings beyond the original barony between the Lossie and Spey rivers to dominate parishes like Urquhart and Lhanbryde. These developments positioned the Innes family as one of the most powerful lairdships in northeastern Scotland, with Innes Castle serving as a central administrative and defensive seat.[11] The clan's military contributions were exemplified by Robert Innes, the 11th laird (d. before 1464), who fought valiantly under the Earl of Huntly at the Battle of Brechin in 1452, a conflict during King James II's reign that underscored the Inneses' loyalty to the crown amid regional power struggles. On the religious front, the family supported the Church in Moray, notably through John Innes—Robert's brother—who served as Bishop of Moray from 1407 until his death in 1414, overseeing ecclesiastical affairs in the diocese. Later generations continued this patronage, with land grants to Franciscan orders in Elgin reflecting the clan's role in bolstering religious institutions amid medieval Scotland's turbulent feudal landscape.[12][11] Sir James Innes, Robert's eldest son and the 12th laird (c. 1440–c. 1491), further elevated the clan's status by serving as chief esquire and armour-bearer to King James III, participating in parliamentary affairs and supporting the monarch during the turbulent 1480s, including surviving the Battle of Sauchieburn in 1488. In a mark of royal favor, the 17-year-old King James IV visited Innes Castle in August 1490, hosted lavishly by Sir James, which reinforced the family's alliances with the Stewart dynasty and their growing prominence by the close of the medieval era.[11][13]Early Modern Period
In the 16th century, the clan faced internal strife and external conflicts. The 14th chief, James Innes, died fighting at the Battle of Pinkie in 1547 during the Rough Wooing wars against England. Later, the 18th chief, Alexander Innes, was murdered in 1580 by his kinsman Robert Innes of Invermarkie over a romantic dispute, igniting a longstanding feud with the Invermarkie branch that plagued the clan for generations.[2] During the early modern period, Clan Innes maintained strong ties to the Stuart monarchy, exemplified by the elevation of Sir Robert Innes, the 20th chief, to the Baronetage of Nova Scotia on 28 May 1625 by King Charles I in recognition of his loyal support.[14] As a Privy Councillor and Member of Parliament for Moray, Sir Robert played a key role in Scottish governance, representing the clan in parliamentary commissions on northern affairs and justice in 1641, while also serving on the Committee of Estates.[10] His creation as the fourth baronet on the Nova Scotia roll underscored the clan's growing status, though it came amid ongoing rivalries with cadet branches like Balvenie, which received its own baronetcy in 1631.[12] The clan's staunch Royalist allegiance during the 17th century brought both prestige and peril, as members actively backed Charles I amid the Wars of the Three Kingdoms. Sir Robert, despite some involvement in Covenanter actions such as leading 300 horsemen at the Trot of Turriff in 1639, ultimately aligned with Royalist causes, expressing loyalty in letters from 1642–1643 and facing imprisonment of family members like his sons Robert and James in 1643 for suspected sympathies.[14] This support extended to the Balvenie branch, whose estates were heavily encumbered after the Restoration due to unwavering fidelity to Charles I and II, contributing to broader clan financial strains from civil war fines and destructions during Montrose's campaigns.[10] By the mid-century, these conflicts led to potential land forfeitures and sales, such as the disposal of properties to settle debts exceeding £60,000 Scots by 1692, though the core barony of Innes endured.[14] Under Sir James Innes, the 3rd Baronet and 22nd chief, the clan forged influential alliances through his marriage to Lady Margaret Ker on 18 July 1666 (by contract), daughter and co-heir of Henry Ker, Lord Ker, and granddaughter of the 1st Earl of Roxburghe.[10] This union linked the Innes family to the powerful Ker lineage, paving the way for future inheritances, including the Dukedom of Roxburghe through their descendants.[12] Sir James inherited a politically turbulent legacy, navigating post-Restoration commissions from 1661 to 1667 on trade, kirk affairs, and teind valuations, while the clan's Royalist and emerging Jacobite leanings—evident in support for the exiled Stuarts after 1688—continued to shape their fortunes amid Scotland's shifting allegiances.[14]18th and 19th Centuries
In the early 19th century, Sir James Innes, 6th Baronet of Innes and recognized as the 25th Chief of Clan Innes, pursued a legal claim to the Dukedom of Roxburghe following the death of the 4th Duke without direct male heirs in 1804. His entitlement derived from descent through the female line from the Ker family, linked to an earlier 17th-century marriage alliance between the Innes and Ker lines. After years of litigation involving competing claims, the House of Lords Committee for Privileges upheld Sir James's right in May 1812, confirming his succession to the dukedom and its associated estates.[15][16] Upon inheriting, Sir James adopted the surname Innes-Ker in accordance with the Roxburghe entail, becoming James Innes-Ker, 5th Duke of Roxburghe. This change marked a pivotal shift for the clan, as the requirement to bear a compound surname disqualified him and his descendants from recognition as chiefs of Clan Innes under Scottish heraldic law, which mandates the pure clan surname for chiefship. Following Sir James's death in 1823 without heirs bearing solely the Innes name, the chiefly line lapsed, and the Baronetcy of Innes of that Ilk became dormant, leaving the clan without an officially recognized head.[2][1] The Act of Union in 1707 profoundly affected Clan Innes's holdings in Moray, integrating Scottish estates into a broader British economy that emphasized commercial agriculture and imposed new taxes and trade dynamics, straining traditional clan finances. By the mid-18th century, mounting debts forced the sale of key properties, including Innes House near Elgin in 1767, which passed to the Duff family, Earls Fife, signaling the fragmentation of the clan's core territories. In the 19th century, while the Highland Clearances devastated western clan lands through mass evictions for sheep farming, Moray's estates faced analogous pressures from agricultural "improvements" and enclosures, further eroding tenant holdings and contributing to rural depopulation among Innes septs.[17][2]Leadership
Clan Chiefs
The chiefly line of Clan Innes traces its origins to the Lairds of Innes, who held authority over the clan's core territories in Moray from the 13th century onward. These chiefs governed the clan through a system of feudal loyalty, managing estates, resolving internal disputes, and representing the family in royal courts and parliaments. Their leadership often involved strategic marriages to expand lands, participation in national conflicts, and patronage of religious institutions, as documented in contemporary charters and historical accounts.[18] The role of the chiefs extended to clan governance, where they acted as patrons and arbitrators, enforcing tailzies (entailments) to preserve the estate and mediating feuds with neighboring clans such as the Dunbars and Innes of Innermarkie. For instance, chiefs frequently witnessed royal charters and served as bailies in regalities, ensuring clan cohesion amid territorial rivalries. In feuds, they led retaliatory actions, such as the 1554 assault on Elgin Cathedral during disputes with the Dunbars, while also negotiating settlements to safeguard family interests.[18][19] Notable among the chiefs was Sir Robert Innes, the 13th Laird ("Good Sir Robert"), who founded the Greyfriars friary in Elgin around 1450, demonstrating the family's religious patronage and contributing to local ecclesiastical development. Later, Sir Robert Innes, the 20th chief and 1st Baronet, was created a baronet by King Charles I in 1625, elevating the clan's status and formalizing chiefly privileges through royal patent. This baronetcy underscored the chiefs' alignment with the crown during turbulent times, including the Wars of the Three Kingdoms.[18][2] The following table provides a chronological overview of selected chiefs from Walter Innes to the line's conclusion in the 19th century. Numbering follows traditional clan enumerations (e.g., per ScotClans and Innes Clan Society), where the 1st Baronet is the 20th chief and the 6th Baronet the 22nd; early numbering varies by source. Tenures are approximate, derived from charter dates and successions.[2][1]| Chief Number | Name | Tenure | Notable Actions |
|---|---|---|---|
| (Early) | Walter Innes | c. 1226–c. 1250 | Received charter confirming Innes lands from Alexander II (1226); established the named chiefly line through feudal grants.[18] |
| 9th | Robert Innes | c. 1360s | Married Janet, heiress of Aberchirder, expanding estates; witnessed charters strengthening clan holdings.[18] |
| 10th | Sir Walter Innes | c. 1370s–c. 1400 | Knighted; allied with Earl of Ross via marriage; governed during Wars of Independence.[18] |
| 11th | Walter Innes | c. 1400–c. 1420 | Succeeded unmarried; maintained family alliances in Moray.[18] |
| 12th | John Innes | c. 1400–1414 | Became Bishop of Moray (1407); contributed to Elgin Cathedral's restoration as a churchman-chief.[18] |
| 13th | Sir Robert Innes ("Good Sir Robert") | c. 1414–c. 1440s | Married Aberchirder heiress; founded Greyfriars of Elgin (c. 1450); expanded religious and territorial influence.[18] |
| 14th | Sir Walter Innes | c. 1440s–c. 1454 | Received Aberchirder barony (1450); knighted by 1438; led clan in regional governance.[18] |
| 15th | Sir Robert Innes ("Ill Sir Robert") | c. 1454–c. 1464 | Fought at Battle of Brechin (1452); married into Drumlanrig family; enforced clan discipline amid feuds.[18] |
| 16th | James Innes ("James with the Beard") | c. 1464–c. 1493 | Acquired Ogstoun lands (1473); served in James III's parliament (1487); armour-bearer to the king.[18] |
| 17th | Alexander Innes | c. 1493–1533 | Granted multiple charters (e.g., 1491, 1507); married Christian Dunbar; murdered by Invermarkie branch (1533), sparking feud.[18][2] |
| 18th | Alexander Innes | c. 1533–1547 | Died at Battle of Pinkie (1547).[19][2] |
| 19th | William Innes | c. 1547–c. 1570s | Led feud actions against Dunbars (1554 Elgin incident); attended parliament (1560); secured family tailzie.[18] |
| 20th | Alexander Innes | c. 1570s–1576 | Executed after killing kinsman (1576); lost lands temporarily to Regent Morton.[18] |
| 21st | John Innes ("Jock the Fool") | c. 1576–c. 1580s | Transferred estate via tailzie (1578); estranged from cadet branches; resolved minor disputes.[18] |
| 22nd | Alexander Innes of Cromy | c. 1580 | Murdered by Innermarkie kinsman (1580); briefly held via entailment.[18] |
| 23rd | Robert Innes | c. 1580–1596 | Reclaimed estate post-murder; settled Innermarkie feud (1587, 4000 marks paid); granted charters (e.g., 1581).[18] |
| 20th | Sir Robert Innes, 1st Baronet | c. 1596–1654 | Knighted; created Baronet of Nova Scotia (1625); Covenanter; built Innes House (1640s); MP for Moray.[18][2] |
| 21st | Sir Robert Innes, 2nd Baronet | c. 1654–c. 1690 | Continued baronet line; managed estates during Restoration. |
| 22nd | Sir James Innes, 6th Baronet | 1762–1823 | Succeeded as baronet (1762); sold Innes lands (1767); inherited Roxburghe dukedom (1812), ending direct chiefly tenure at Innes.[20][2] |
Septs and Branches
The septs of Clan Innes consist of associated families and variant surnames that trace their allegiance or descent to the main Innes lineage, often through historical service, marriage, or adoption of the clan name in the Moray region.[21] These groups typically maintained close ties to the clan's principal territories, contributing to its military and social structure without holding the chiefly title.[22] Common septs include Ennes, MacTary, Milnes, Marnoch, Mitchell, Ennis, Maver, Oynie, Ince, Mavor, MacRob, Redford, Inch, and Middleton, among others such as Dinnes, Innie, and Reidfurd.[21][22] Many of these names arose as phonetic variations of "Innes" or from local families who allied with the clan through feudal obligations or shared lands in Morayshire.[23] For instance, families like Mitchell and Marnoch are linked via historical records of service to Innes lairds, while variants such as Ennis and Inch reflect anglicized forms adopted by branches in the Lowlands.[24] Cadet branches of Clan Innes emerged from younger sons of the chiefly line, establishing distinct family seats while retaining loyalty to the main house. The Innes of Edingight line, for example, originated as a collateral branch from the Innermarkie family, descending from John Innes, youngest son of Robert Innes II of Innermarkie, who received a charter for Edingight lands in 1559 from the Abbey of Kinloss.[25] This branch persisted through eleven generations, claiming associated baronetcies after the extinction of elder lines in the early 19th century.[25] Other notable branches include the Innes of Coxton, a subdivision of Innermarkie that constructed the Tower of Coxton near Elgin in the 16th century.[26] Through strategic marriages, Clan Innes forged connections with other prominent families, such as the Kers of Roxburgh. The third baronet, Sir James Innes, wed Lady Margaret Ker, daughter of Henry Ker, which ultimately allowed his descendant, Sir James Innes the sixth baronet, to inherit the Dukedom of Roxburgh in 1812, adopting the hyphenated surname Innes-Ker.[19] This union integrated Innes interests with the Ker patrimony, extending the clan's influence into the Borders without altering the core sept structure.[19]Lands and Seats
Principal Territories
The Barony of Innes constituted the core territorial holding of Clan Innes, comprising approximately six miles of coastal lands along the southern shore of the Moray Firth, extending from the River Lossie in the west to the River Spey in the east.[2] This barony included the parishes of Urquhart and Lhanbryde, as well as surrounding districts in Morayshire, providing the clan with strategic control over fertile lowlands and maritime access.[1] The original grant of these lands occurred in 1160, when King Malcolm IV bestowed them upon Berowald, a Flemish nobleman considered the progenitor of the Innes line.[27] Through the medieval and early modern periods, Clan Innes established dominance across much of the province of Moray, leveraging the barony's geographical advantages for economic sustenance.[1] The territories' meadows and arable greens supported robust agricultural production, including crop cultivation and livestock rearing, which formed the backbone of the clan's wealth and local influence.[1] Proximity to the Moray Firth enabled significant fishing activities, with the coastal stretches yielding marine resources that complemented inland farming and contributed to trade networks in northeastern Scotland.[2] Following the Act of Union in 1707, the clan's land ownership underwent notable changes amid broader economic pressures on Scottish estates. In 1767, Sir James Innes, the 6th Baronet and 25th Chief, sold the Barony of Innes to James Duff, 2nd Earl Fife, marking the loss of the family's ancestral core holdings and prompting their relocation to England.[28] This transaction reflected the financial strains faced by many Highland families in the post-Union era, though branches of the Innes family retained influence through subsequent inheritances, such as the Dukedom of Roxburghe in 1805.[27]Castles and Residences
The principal residence of Clan Innes in its early history was Innes Castle, a fortified structure dating to the 15th century on the barony lands near Elgin in Moray. This castle served as the clan's main seat of power and hosted King James IV during a visit in 1490, underscoring its role in regional affairs.[13] In 1640, Sir Robert Innes, the 20th chief, initiated construction of Innes House adjacent to or incorporating remnants of the original castle, completing the main structure by 1653. The house exemplifies 17th-century Scottish vernacular architecture with its L-plan layout—a main block extended by a shorter wing forming the "L"—and includes a prominent square tower rising from the southeast corner, providing defensive features alongside domestic comforts.[1][13][29] The Innes chiefs resided at Innes House until 1767, when Sir James Innes, the 6th baronet, faced bankruptcy and sold the estate to James Duff, 2nd Earl Fife, marking the end of direct clan occupation. Following the sale, the property saw alterations by subsequent owners and a gradual decline in its original grandeur, though its core 17th-century form endured.[4][30] Beyond the main line, cadet branches maintained other notable seats.Symbols
Heraldry
The coat of arms of Clan Innes, as borne by the chiefs of Innes of that Ilk, is blazoned as Argent, three mullets Azure, representing three silver stars on a blue field.[18] These mullets symbolize celestial guidance and noble heritage, tracing back to the clan's origins in Moray.[18] Following the marriage of the 14th chief to Janet Aberchirder around 1400, the arms were often quartered with those of Aberchirder—Azure, three boars' heads Or—to reflect the alliance, though the simple Innes arms remained the primary bearing.[18] The crest is a boar's head erased Proper, issuing from a helmet mantled Azure doubled Argent, signifying ferocity, bravery, and hospitality.[18] This emblem echoes the boars' heads in the quartered arms and underscores the clan's martial tradition. The chiefly achievement includes two supporters: greyhounds Argent collared Azure, each collar charged with three mullets Argent, evoking loyalty and speed in service.[18] The compartment is a grassy mount Proper, typical for Scottish chiefly arms to denote territorial roots.[31] The motto "Be Traist," meaning "Be Faithful" or "Be Trusty" in Scots, was adopted by the chiefs to emphasize unwavering loyalty and honor.[18] It appears on crest badges and seals, reinforcing the clan's values. The arms were formally matriculated by the Lord Lyon King of Arms in a patent granted to Sir Harry Innes, 27th chief, on December 14, 1698, confirming the chiefly lineage from Berowald the Fleming in the 12th century.[18] These armorial bearings have been used in chiefly seals since the 15th century, with early examples by James Innes in 1489, showing quartered shields on documents related to lands and feuds.[18] Later seals, such as those of Sir Robert Innes, 24th chief, incorporated the full achievement, including the motto, for legal and baronial purposes.[18] Although the clan is currently armigerous without a recognized chief, these historic registrations preserve the heraldry's integrity under Scots heraldic law.[32]Tartans and Badges
The Clan Innes is associated with the Innes tartan and the Innes Hunting tartan, both officially registered in the Scottish Register of Tartans as clan/family patterns. The Innes Red tartan represents the clan's first historical pattern, featuring a design woven primarily from red, black, and white threads to create a bold, distinctive plaid suitable for formal Highland attire. This tartan was documented through a threadcount recorded by Charles S. Innes, a descendant of Innes of that Ilk, in the Public Register of All Arms and Bearings in Scotland on 30 August 1951, and later entered into the Scottish Register of Tartans on 21 June 2013.[33] In contrast, the Innes Hunting tartan offers green variants designed for practical use in outdoor settings, incorporating dominant dark green and navy blue threads interwoven with black for a subdued, camouflage-like effect amid Scotland's landscapes. It draws from a miniature tartan associated with Georgina Innes of Edingight and was recorded by Colin Innes of Tulchan in the Lyon Court Books on 19 April 1969, with entry into the Scottish Register of Tartans predating its 2009 launch.[34] These tartans embody the clan's identity, with the red version favored for ceremonial kilts, sashes, and accessories, while the hunting variant suits vests and ties for field activities.| Tartan Name | Primary Colors | Key Features and Usage | Registration Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Innes Red | Red, black, white (dominant); accents of green, navy, yellow, sky blue | Historical clan pattern for formal wear; bold and vibrant for identity display | Threadcount by Charles S. Innes, 1951; SRT entry 2013[33] |
| Innes Hunting | Dark green, navy blue, black; subtle green variants | Camouflage-inspired for hunting and casual Highland dress; practical for Moray terrains | Recorded by Colin Innes of Tulchan, 1969; pre-2009 SRT entry[34] |