Gayre
Gayre Tartan Collection
Honour an old name of the north with the Gayre collection — the family of Nigg on the shores of Easter Ross, notaries and churchmen of Cromarty, worn with a tartan of their own.
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About the Gayre Tartan
The Gayre name — also Gair — is an old one with several possible roots: from the Cornish de Kayre, from the Norse geirr, "a spear," as found in Orkney and Shetland, or from the Celtic gearr, "short." The family became established in Easter Ross, where they held the lands of Nigg from the 17th century. An old family name of the north, the Gayres are worn with a distinctive tartan of their own.
Whether you bear the Gayre or Gair name, descend from Easter Ross, or simply admire an old family of the north, this collection brings the Gayre tartan into wearable apparel, everyday accessories, home decor and meaningful heritage gifts.
Gayre Tartan Pattern & Colours
The Gayre tartan is a handsome sett of blue and green crossed with black and lifted by fine lines — cool, dignified colours that recall the shores and firths of Easter Ross, where the family held the lands of Nigg by the Cromarty Firth.
Who Is This Collection For?
The Gayre collection is a meaningful choice for the Gayre and Gair family, descendants of Easter Ross and Cromarty, those with Nigg connections, and anyone drawn to an old family name of the north of Scotland.
- Gayre & Gair family
- Easter Ross & Cromarty roots
- Nigg ties
- Family gatherings
- Birthday & Christmas gifts
- Everyday tartan style
Gayre Family Heritage
The Gayres became established in Easter Ross in the 17th century, when a member of the family settled in Ross-shire around 1649. The lands of Nigg, by the Cromarty Firth, had long been held by the MacCullochs, and passed to the Gayres through marriage to Katherine MacCulloch. Alexander Gayre of Nigg and his son Thomas extended the family's holdings in the fertile country of the Black Isle and Easter Ross.
Thomas Gayre, fourth laird of Nigg, was a notary public at Fortrose and Chancellor of the diocese of Ross, as well as a prosperous merchant and councillor of the busy sea-port of Cromarty. In the ecclesiastical disputes of the 18th century the Gayres became Dissenters, opposing the crown-appointed minister at Nigg, and William Gayre gave land for the building of a dissenters' chapel. The name endures in the north and among the family's descendants across the world.
Gayre Tartan FAQ
Quick answers about the Gayre name, the tartan its members wear, and why Gayre products make meaningful Scottish heritage gifts.
What is the Gayre tartan?
It is the family tartan of the Gayres, a blue and green sett with black — cool colours recalling their Easter Ross homeland by the Cromarty Firth.
Who can wear the Gayre tartan?
Anyone can wear it. It is especially meaningful for those of the Gayre or Gair name and for anyone with Easter Ross ancestry.
Where does the Gayre name come from?
It has several possible roots: the Cornish de Kayre, the Norse geirr, "a spear," or the Celtic gearr, "short."
Where was the family seated?
At Nigg in Easter Ross, by the Cromarty Firth, lands the Gayres acquired through marriage to the MacCulloch family in the 17th century.
Is Gayre the same as Gair?
Yes. Gayre and Gair are forms of the same old family name of the north of Scotland.
Is Gayre tartan a good gift?
Yes. Gayre products make thoughtful gifts for family members, gatherings, birthdays, Christmas and Scottish heritage celebrations.
Celebrate Your Gayre Heritage in Style
Discover Gayre tartan apparel, accessories and meaningful Scottish-inspired gifts that honour Nigg, the Cromarty Firth and an old family name of Easter Ross.
View Gayre Tartan Products