Tartantrivia

A Note About Irish Tartans:
Contrary to popular belief, the Irish do not have traditional "family tartans". Any tartan assigned to any Irish name is strictly a modern invention - there is nothing "historical" or "ancient" about it. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. While there are tartans now assigned to Irish family names, these are NOT clan tartans - nor are they Irish in origin. Somebody simply took the Scottish clans and family tartans and in the fervor in which they were being designed, woven and assigned to EVERYTHING - (even the oil companies have tartans now) - decided to assign them to the Irish as well. It's okay, the Welsh have the same problem. County and provincial tartans are also relatively new and there are now ultra-modern ones woven based on the colors in the coat of arms for that county. The Irish National is green, gold and white - the colors in the Irish flag. Click here to see Irish county and provincial tartans.

What's worn under the kilt:
This is my chance to be a smartass. Okay - not really. My grandfather had a saying, "If ye're Scots, ye've nae need o' askin'. If ye're nae Scots, ye've nae need o' knowin'." Seriously though, besides all the usual asides such as: "The Future of Scotland", "Brogues" and "Nothing is worn, everything is in perfect working order." There are, believe it or not, rules concerning the kilt and exactly when you do and don't go about "regimental." Not everybody does ladies - wool itches.

Underwear is to be worn when:
~ Participating in sports (for most Highland Games competitions - And honestly? Without underwear - bending over to pick up a caber? TMI folks.)
~ Dancing - individual as well as Dance Society Competitions (Most dance societies clearly state in their rules that you MUST. Dance kilts are made of lighter weight wool so that they "fly" better - Other things just don't need to.)
~ There are ladies present in the mess (this would be for the military I would assume)
~ Everything else is to be discretionary (Whose discretion? I have no clue, but there it is. What this means is this - gentlemen, engage your brains.)

Scottish Clan Information and Tartan Links Irish County and Provincial Tartans Irish Family Tartans Welsh/Manx Tartans

The Butler Tartan A modern Irish family tartan. There are only about 20-25 Irish family names with tartans, and these are ones with very old ties to English nobility. Most Irish tartans are county tartans.	University of Glasgow Tartan An alma mater tartan and very pretty. Also woven in ancient (lighter) colors for the ladies. As Gerry graduated from this University, he could definitely wear these colors.	The Falkirk District Tartan In Scotland, the last name Butler falls under this tartan. Besides the Lennox, it is one of the oldest ones in existence in Scotland. While the weave is modern, there is a piece of cloth similar to it in a museum that dates to around 1100.	The "Condor" Tartan The military tartan worn by Scottish members of the Royal Marines. A former officer, Gerry's character in Tomb Raider, Terry Sheridan, could have worn a kilt in this tartan with his dress uniform.	The Canadian Centennial He's always in Canada. Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver. Filming. Premieres. Nuff said.

The Paisley District Tartan Yes folks, there is a district tartan for Paisley. If Gerry feels an attachment to the place where, he was raised, he could wear this one as well. This is woven in the ancient colors. Pretty.	The Glasgow District Tartan Who said that real men don't wearpink? Gerry has already proved this once. However, I'm not sure he would want to prove it again. This is the district tartan for the city of his birth. No my computer didn't go haywire - it really is that pink. What on earth were the weavers thinking?	The Irish National Tartan Anyone who is Irish or of Irish descent can wear this tartan. Most commonly seen on Irish pipe bands, which are, unfortunately, very uncommon. There are a few "Irish National" tartans. This one is seen the most.	The Flower of Scotland This is a modern National Pride tartan. Anyone who is not Scottish, or simply has no clan affiliation, can wear this tartan. It is interchangeable with the Hunting Stewart, the Caledonia and the Black Watch as a National Tartan.	The Stewart Hunting Tartan One of the earliest recorded tartans and one documented in a regimental weavers book circa 1819. It is NOT a Clan Stewart sett and why it is called a Stewart tartan is a mystery. It is used by the Royal Scots guards at Edinburgh Castle and is representative of all of Scotland.

The Black Watch Tartan This tartan has been in use by the military since 1740 and is now universally recognized as a "highland" tartan. While it began it's career as a Campbell tartan, it is now a popular regimental tartan and is used as a National Tartan as well. It is the sett worn by Billy Connolly in Mrs. Brown.	The Caledonia Red Tartan Another National tartan that has been in existence since the early 1800's. It was named for Scotland and is the most widely used as a National tartan.	The Pride of Scotland Tartan A commemorative tartan, that again, can be worn by anyone, Scots and non-Scots alike. Unfortunately, not as popular as the Black Watch or the Caledonia.	The Dark Island Tartan A modern fashion tartan designed in 2003. This was worn by the husband of the organizer of the 1st Annual GBNet Convention, held in Glasgow. As all the ladies who were there will agree, he looked absolutely amazing!	The New York City Tartan Who says we have to have a strictly Scottish tartan here? Gerry has a flat in New York and if he loves New York like I do, he could certainly wear this tartan to show his civic pride. Designed after September 11th and worn by several celebs on Tartan Day.

The Royal Stewart The is the other tartan used in Mrs. Brown at the ceilidh. All of the household servants would have worn this sett - including Gerry's character - Archie. You see a brief glimpse of his kilt as he dances past the camera during the set dance. The dance I believe was, "The Eightsome Reel," and the music was "The Devil Among the Tailors.	The California Tartan Available to all residents of the state of California and designed to honor John Muir, the Scottish born naturalist, hence the similarity to the Muir tartan. I'm sure Jay Leno would approve.	The Burns Heritage Tartan Sigh. If we could just get this movie made. Personally, I don't care for this tartan - reminds me of my mum's checkered tablecloth. but it will do for a Ayrshire farmer who lived during the proscription.	The Celtic Football Club Tartan Gerry's favorite footie club. Not that he could wear it, I believe it is reserved for members of the team. It is pretty however, and I thought that folks might be interested in knowing what it looks like. This is the old pattern circa 1989.	The Celtic Football Club Tartan Take 2. Designed in 1996, this is an updated version of the sett. Personally, I like it a lot better.

Aberdeen	Drumlithie	Glen Orchy
Angus	Dunbar	Glen Tilt	Mull
Argyll	Dunblane	Huntly	Musselburgh
Arran	Dundee	Inverary	Nithsdale
Atholl	East Kilbride	Inverness	Paisley
Aryshire	Edinburgh	Largs	Perthshire
Berwick-Upon-Tweed	Eglington	Lennox	Rothesay
Blair Logie	Ettrick	Lochaber	Roxburgh
Buchan	Falkirk	Loch Laggan	St. Andrews
Caithness	Fife	Loch Rannoch	Stirling & Bannockburn
Carrick	Fort William	Lorne	Strathclyde
Crieff	Gala Water	Mar	Strathspey
Culloden	Galloway	Mentieth	Sutherland
Cumbernauld	Glasgow	Moffat	Tweedside
Deeside	Glen Lyon	Montrose	Tyneside

The American Tartan	The Australian National	The Muskova	The Wellington
The Dutch National	The Prince Charles Edward Stewart	The Jacobite	The Cochrane
The Colburg "Wilson's #150"	The Pride of New Zealand	The Welsh National	The Leatherneck

	The Fraser Red Modern - This would be the bright red tartan that Diana mentions in Outlander. Doubt if it was truly this red or even woven to these specifications for that matter. Keep reading and you will discover why Jamie Fraser would NOT have worn this tartan. This is the modern version of the tartan and is probably as close to the 18th century colors as we will get. Talk about your fire engine red. It is interesting to note that this particular pattern came from the Vestiarium Scoticum, and therefore it's accuracy as an ancient clan tartan is doubtful. Some contend that it is a early Grant tartan as something very similar can be seen in a portrait of Robert Grant of Lurg (1678-1771). It is, however, the one that is identified with the clan today - and the one most commonly worn. There was a young woman at a Burn's Night dinner that I attended in Glasgow who wore a shawl woven in the Fraser - with her dark hair, she looked absolutely stunning.
	The Fraser Red Ancient - These are lighter, softer colors. The greens are light greens, the blue are powder blue or a sky blue. The reds faded to orange. The effect this is supposed to represent is that of an old, worn, and faded piece of cloth that had originally been dyed with vegetable dyes. The idea is that the colors were dark originally, but have faded with time, and therefore this color scheme is called "ancient." It is the same concept as "stone washed" blue jeans. They are made new to already look old and worn. That the ancient colors accurately depict what a faded piece of tartan would look like is questioned by textile experts. But such is the intent. They were first introduced sometime after the WWII era, so any reference to tartan prior to then will make no mention of "modern" or "ancient" colors. These are preferred by the ladies (myself imparticular) who don't necessarily look attractive walking about in the bright colors.
	The Fraser Red Weathered - This is a more recent introduction than the ancient colors, and represents an even more dramatic fading. The attempt here was to replicate what tartan cloth would look like after being buried in a peat bog for a couple of hundred years and then unearthed. The colors are extremely washed out. The blues fade to gray. The greens fade to brownish/black. The reds are a light brick red color. Again, whether this accurately depicts what such a piece of cloth would look like if buried is doubted by textile experts. But once more, this is the intent.
	The Fraser Red Muted - Supposedly a reproduction tartan. The colors here are supposed to reproduce a tartan that has been dyed with vegetable dyes 200 years ago and has been fading ever since. Again, the intent here is purposeful fakery, but in this case it does cause some eyebrow lifting. With vegetable dyes, blues stay blue and blacks fade up to a khaki. Most muted tartans simply look like an "ancient" version of a weathered tartan.
	The Fraser Red Dress - It was originally thought that "dress" tartans meant just that. Worn for dress - therefore one wouldn't want to fight in it or otherwise get it dirty or bloody. Hence the amount of white in the background. This is incorrect. Not for the foolhardy and most assuredly not for the guys. Not unless you like to pay the drycleaners anyway. The dress tartans were inspired by an eighteenth century description of Scottish garb which said that the women's dress "called arisaid is a white plaid." Since these setts were inspired by women's fashion, most tartan purists do not like to see men wearing them. Unfortunately for the purists, many men do wear them anyway, particularly for evening or for competitive dancing. Take that purists!
	The Fraser Dress - Take 2 - Designed in 1970, this is yet another take on the dress version of the Fraser tartan.
	The Fraser Hunting - Very often a clan or family whose tartan is primarily red or some other bright color will have an alternate sett called a "Hunting Tartan." This tartan will usually feature greens, browns, blues, or some other natural shade. Very often this tartan is the same pattern as the clan sett, but with the main color replaced with a green, or a brown, etc. Sometimes it is a completely different sett, however. In this case it is the same sett - or pattern - as the Fraser Red. The most important thing to point out, however, is that names like “hunting” and “dress” do not denote actual usage. It is not as if the Highlander of old went deer stalking in his hunting tartan, and then came home and changed into his dress tartan before having tea with the constabulatory. Besides, deer and grouse are color blind, odds are they wouldn't notice a red tartan anyway. Feel free to wear a hunting tartan to any formal occasion (or a dress tartan while out hunting, for that matter, tee-hee). Besides, scroll down - there is a hunting dress tartan. This one was created circa 1885 by the Sobieski brothers at the request of Lord Lovat for use by the Inverness and Nairn Militias.
	The Fraser Hunting Ancient - And away we go. Also know as "Old Colors."
	The Fraser Hunting Muted - There is also a "weathered" version too. Unfortunately or fortunately, I couldn't find the picture.
	The Fraser Hunting Dress - Told you so. This pattern emerged in 1976 probably for use by dancers.
	The Fraser Hunting Trade - This is a corporate tartan designed circa 1930-1950.
	The Fraser Dress Arisaid - You will note that this is again, a slightly different sett than the Fraser Red. Both this and the sett below were woven strictly for dancers.
	The Fraser Dress Arisaid - Take 2 - A variation on a theme. And closer to the green and blue of the Fraser of Lovat pattern.
	The Fraser of Lovat - A different sept of the Fraser clan altogether. The pattern is similar but different. Not to be confused with sett. This is an entirely different branch of the Clan - which of course would have had it's own tartan. This is considered an old and rare tartan which may or may not indicate that the sett existed prior to 1745. It is numbered, indicating that it was documented either in Cockburn's books circa 1810-20 or Logan's book. The samples in these books are at the very least, verified. Historically speaking, there actually was a strong Lovat representation on Culloden Moor in April 1746, some believe as many as two battalions. After the disaster on the field, the Fraser estates were plundered by Cumberland and his troops. The chief was captured at Loch Morar and taken to London to be beheaded at Tower Hill one year after the Battle. The Frasers of Lovat later helped in the raising of Highland regiments that saw action across the British Empire, fighting in the American War of Independence, in Quebec, and in the Napoleonic Wars. Fictionally speaking, if Jamie Fraser used "Je suis prest" as his motto, and wore a stag-head brooch? He would most definitely have been a Lovat Fraser. Just an FYI for all the Outlander fans out there.
	The Fraser 1820 (muted) - Another sett of the Fraser tartan noted by a family weaver and documented in Wilson's book of verified tartans circa 1820. This is a much simpler sett.
	The Fraser Gathering Ancient- One of three tartans designed specifically for the Fraser Clan Gathering which took place in 1997 in the presence of Lady Saltoun and Lord Lovat. Hosted at Fraser Castle by the National Trust, a charity founded in 1931, there was a turnout of almost 30,000 to 40, 000 people over the course of 4 days. The castle has been in the hands of the Trust since 1976. The tartans were designed by Lady Saltoun and are based on the Fraser tartan and the Buchan District tartan, the area around Fraserburgh.
	The Fraser Gathering Hunting - same sett, different color scheme. The green pattern was chosen because there is no green Fraser pattern.
	The Fraser Gathering Dress - see above
	The Fraser of Altyre - Another sept, another tartan. Subtle differences in the sett, but it is clearly a Fraser based pattern. Again, the source for this was a family weaver circa 1938 who said that this sett had been woven for generations. Based on that information, this one dates to approximately 1830-1850.
	The Fraser of Altyre Muted -Sometimes known as the Fraser 18th Century. This is definitely a reconstruction pattern.
	The Fraser Yellow - Why? I have no clue. But there it is. Based on the Fraser Red, and yet another modern edition to the color schemes that have been added to the already expanding list of tartans. I wouldn't be caught dead in it. It is an attempt to recreate a yellow dress tartan from the very old sett out of Wilsons of Bannockburn. There is also a Fraser Green, which is also a fashion tartan. Thank heavens I couldn't find a decent picture.
	The 78th Fraser Highlanders - A military tartan woven specifically for the 78th Fraser Highlanders. This is a Re-enactment unit based on the illustrious Second Battalion Regiment of Foot, raised in Scotland in 1757 for Service in America during the French and Indian War. Many returned to Scotland only to come back to America to fight again in the 71st Regiment during the American Revolution. Begun in 1965 the unit now has students from local pipe band and their uniform is a replica of one worn 200 years ago. The tartan should only be worn by members of the regiment. This tartan was first documented by the Highland Society of London in 1815 and is authentic probably because it is a military tartan. It is virtually identical to the Fraser of Lovat tartan, the exception being that the white overstripe has been replaced by a green one and the colors are "ancient" colors - again done on purpose to resemble an older faded piece of cloth.
	The Fraser, Stewart of Atholl - The same tartan as the 78th Fraser Highlanders. Just woven in modern colors. The earliest date that can be given to this sett is 1757, the year that the unit was raised, but this is not accepted universally.
	The Fraser Wedding - A artifact tartan found in the 1730 wedding portrait of Isabella Fraser. While this is a authentic tartan, there is no evidence that it is a clan tartan.
	The Fraser Portrait - This weave is an example of a sett based on a portrait of Major Fraser circa 1813. Again, an authentic period tartan, but one that can not be confirmed as an actual clan tartan.
	The Fraser of Reelig - Again another Fraser tartan that supposedly dates to 1757. The pattern is based on a family weavers say-so, so it's authenticity is doubtful.
	Hugh Fraser of Boblainy - This sett is based on a piece of plaid given to Hugh Fraser when he inherited the estate in 1805.