The MacKinlay family, or MacKinley, Macinle, and other now Anglicized manifestations, hailed from the Lennox District of Scotia. The earliest use of the name Buchannan to relate the clan back to this tartan is Buchanan of Auchmar in 1723 that amplified that the Chief sept of the Lennox MacKinlays were descended from Buchanan of Drumikill. An outright use is the most typical of the 16th and 17th century the name is usually connected with tartans from Buchanan, Farquharson, MacFarlane as well as Stewart of Appin clans. Despite variations in the name, it is probable that most of the MacKinlay family has a link with Finlay, MacFarlane, or Buchanan heritage. The clan has also been associated with MacLeas or Linvingstones, which is another spelling of MacLeay. Though the name is not in the 1745 rebels list, it histo-riographically connected to a number of personalities like Finlay MacKinlay who supplied meals to the Lady of Luss in 1564 who was the tenant of Nether Ross in Luss in 1588. This name is most frequently found in the registers of Glenlyon and Balquidder and some other linked parishes.
The McKinley tartan is a plaid recognizable for its deep blue and light green background and strong contrast of shades of red and black. The tartan has thick, straight lines and broad checks with a mirror image of each other; there is a balanced appearance of the pattern. As for the symbolism of the TODO, the colors separating the frets are predominantly blue and green, which associate with the colour of Scotland, while the crosses located at the center of the frets being read and black are designed to enrich the whole picture and add contrast. The pattern used in the McKinley tartan can be considered as universal so the dress can be worn at any official and informal event.