File talk:Robertson of Struan Arms.svg
The Clan Robertson and Donnachaidh is the same clan.
“The Robertsons of Struan are unquestionably the oldest family in Scotland, being the sole remaining branch of that Royal House of Atholl which occupied the throne of Scotland during the 11th and 12th centuries." [William Forbes Skene, Historiographer Royal of Scotland, 1837]
Our Celtic ancestors were never conquered by the Romans and known to them as Gaels of Kaledonioi (Caledonia). The clan’s tribe was one of the eleven located in the Pictish nation (Pict in Latin meaning “painted faces” or “fighter” – Painted Faced Warriors which they were). The area is known today as Atholl in Perthshire, in the central highlands. The clan Donnachaidh (Gaelic for children of Duncan pronounced “Donnakey”) is also descended from the ancient Irish in the Royal line of the Kings of Dalriada.
The Perthshire surname Robertson derives from the descendants of the Clan’s Fourth Chief Robert Ruabh Donnachaidh “The Grizzled”. He was also known by his father’s name who was the Clan’s Third Chief Duncan Donnachaidh, thus he was also called Duncan’s Son or Duncanson.
The Shield Graphic depicted is similar to, but not totally accurate to those of which I have studied for our Clan's Chief Shield in his Coat of Arms.
The Robertson Clan's Chief shield is of a mounted Knight (slightly canted), with a field of red, and three silver alerted growling wolfs heads with blue tongues (and teeth). In heraldic terms the mounted Knight’s shield represents a prestigious and accomplished knight (Warrior). The silver (white metal) represents “Peace and Sincerity”. The blue tongues represents “Loyalty and Truth” (also the professing thereof). The red shield represents “military fortitude and magnanimity”. The wolf’s head denotes a valiant captain, that in the end -- gain his attempts after long sieges and hard enterprises [through perseverance and tenacity during extreme hardships becoming victorious]. In heraldry the placement of the two Wolf’s heads at the top of the shield represents the “Bearing of Honor” granted [awarded] by Royal sovereign(s) for the performance of eminent service. The alerted growling Wolf head centered below is to emphasize that is the Robertson’s Clan Chief emblem [charge] and “one whom it is dangerous to assail or thwart”. Also, In heraldic terms the wolf heads placement on the shield creates, and then emphasize the sign of the Christian “Trinity”.
Please advise of your interpretation of the Armory.
Respectfully, Hon. Nathaniel Robertson, Order of Thunderbolt, Order of Saint George, Historian Emeritus and Chancellor Harold Emeritus, 185th Armor Regiment, September 5, 2009.
