All About Tartan

ALL ABOUT TARTAN ORIGINS The earliest known example of tartan found in Scotland was a piece of Falkirk tartan dating to the 3rd century AD. This can be found in the National Museum of Scotland. 6TH CENTURY BC 3RD CENTURY AD 18TH CENTURY It is thought that the Celts in Europe and Scandinavia have been weaving cloth in striped or chequered patterns for thousands of years. It was brought to the west of Northern Britain around 5th-6th century BC. By the 18th century tartan was associated with specific clans and was absolutely synonymous with the Highland Gael. So much so that the British government banned the wearing of tartan in the Highlands in 1746 to suppress rebellious Scots. CLANTARTANS By the 19th century all Scottish clans or families had their own tartan. This fact has become deeply associated with the rich history of Scotland. EXAMPLES. MacDougall Montgomery Wallace DISTRICT TARTANS Martin Martin noted in 1695 that you could tell where a man was from depending on his tartan. District tartans have emerged over the years that can be worn irrespective of clan connections. EXAMPLES. Aberdeen Glasgow Dundee OTHER TARTANS From dress tartans to hunting tartans and mourning tartans, there are also a variety of tartans that suit either an occasion or purpose. EXAMPLES. Corporate (Caledonian Airways) Regimental (79th Regiment) Mourning SPONSOREDBY WWW.MP WUK.COM Sources: www.scotshistoryonline.co.uk www.scottishtartans.org www.tartans.scotland.net commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Celtus www.tartanregister.gov.uk McDade Promotional & Workwear