Permission to use the tartan was given by Lachlan Mackintosh of Mackintosh, who was honoured to be named Patron of the band. The Mackintosh Clan are one of the members of Clan Chattan (Clann Gillacatan in Gaelic). The clan name comes from its first chief, Gillichattan Mor, meaning the great servant of St Catan, whose abbey was situated at Kilchattan on the island of Bute in the Firth of Clyde. In 1291 Eva, the daughter of Gilpatric of Clan Chattan married Angus Mackintosh, 6th Chief of the Clan Mackintosh, unifying the chiefly line of the Clan Chattan and Clan Macintosh.

Clan Chattan became a large confederation of smaller clans who gained strength by joining forces to avoid being overwhelmed by more powerful neighbours, such as the MacDonalds of the Isles. The clan motto is 'Touch not the cat bot a glove', which translates loosely as take care touching the cat without protection!

The Chief McIntosh tartan is predominantly red and green in colour. Band members wear full highland dress, including kilt, plaid, jacket, spats, hose and feathered bonnets. Members are supplied with the full band uniform.