The MacKinlay tartan could be described in tartan parlance as Black Watch with red. It is similar to the early military setts produced by Wilson's of Bannockburn for the MacKenzies, the MacLeods and the Gordons, but there is no mention in Wilson's comprehensive pattern books of a MacKinlay tartan. There are, however, grounds for comparison with the Farquharson, as MacKinlays are named in that clan. To further confuse the issue the sett is identical to Logan's 'Murray of Athol'.