The antecedents of the Bathing of the Men are rooted in the Great Fire of London, a conflagration started by one of the Clan MacThoy.

At left is section of tapestry found at the Abbey of Lost Wages depicting the Bathing of the MacThoy Men. --ed.

In the interest of self- preservation, the tribe resolved to wash the men once a year in the hopes of preventing this disaster from happening again.