Gow
Gow Tartan Collection
Honour the smiths of the Highlands with the Gow collection — the armourers of Clan Chattan, kin to the MacPhersons, who gave Scotland its greatest fiddler, under the wildcat motto Touch Not the Cat Bot a Glove.
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About the Gow Tartan
The Gow name comes from the Gaelic gobha, "a smith" — the blacksmith and armourer whose skill every clan required. The most prominent Highland Gows grew up with the MacPhersons, part of the great Chattan Confederation, and are reckoned a sept of that clan. Those of the Gow name are most fittingly worn with the Macpherson tartan, or the tartan named for the famous fiddler Neil Gow.
Whether you bear the Gow or MacGowan name, descend from Inverness or Perthshire, or simply admire a family of ancient Highland craft, this collection brings a fitting tartan into apparel, accessories, home decor and heritage gifts.
Gow Tartan Pattern & Colours
Worn through the kinship with Clan Macpherson and Clan Chattan, the collection draws on cool colours of grey, blue and black lifted by fine lines of red — steely, dignified tones fitting for the smiths and armourers of the Highlands, whose craft was forged in fire and iron.
Who Is This Collection For?
The Gow collection is a meaningful choice for the Gow and MacGowan family, Clan Macpherson and Chattan kin, descendants of Inverness and Perthshire, and anyone drawn to a family of ancient Highland craft.
- Gow & MacGowan family
- Inverness & Perthshire roots
- Macpherson & Chattan kin
- Clan gatherings
- Birthday & Christmas gifts
- Everyday tartan style
Gow Clan Heritage
In Gaelic Scotland the smith — the gobha — was a figure of honour, for on his skill depended the weapons and armour of the clan. The Gows are traditionally linked to the MacPhersons and Mackintoshes of Clan Chattan, and are said to descend from a smith of Perth who fought on the Chattan side at the great trial by combat on the North Inch of Perth in 1396, afterwards returning with them to Badenoch.
The most famous of the name was Neil Gow, born at Inver near Dunkeld in Perthshire in 1727, the greatest of all Scottish fiddlers and composers of strathspeys and reels, whose music is still loved and played today. So beloved was he that a tartan came to bear his name, distinct from the wider sett of his kin. The Gows share the wildcat crest and motto of Clan Chattan, Touch Not the Cat Bot a Glove.
Gow Tartan FAQ
Quick answers about the Gow name, the tartan its members wear, and why Gow products make meaningful Scottish heritage gifts.
Does Gow have its own tartan?
The Gows are a sept of Clan Macpherson and may wear the Macpherson tartan; there is also a tartan named for the famous fiddler Neil Gow.
What clan is Gow a sept of?
Gow is reckoned a sept of Clan Macpherson, part of the great Chattan Confederation of the central Highlands.
What does the name Gow mean?
It comes from the Gaelic gobha, "a smith" — the blacksmith and armourer whose craft every clan required.
Who was Neil Gow?
Neil Gow (1727–1807) was the greatest of Scottish fiddlers, a composer of strathspeys and reels from Inver in Perthshire, whose music is still played today.
Is Gow the same as MacGowan?
They share the same origin — Gow from gobha, "smith," and MacGowan from mac a' ghobhainn, "son of the smith."
Is Gow tartan a good gift?
Yes. Gow and Macpherson products make thoughtful gifts for family members, gatherings, birthdays and Scottish heritage celebrations.
Celebrate Your Gow Heritage in Style
Discover Macpherson and Gow tartan apparel, accessories and gifts — honouring the smiths of Clan Chattan, the fiddler Neil Gow and the motto Touch Not the Cat Bot a Glove.
View Gow Tartan Products