Tartan explained: what do the colours, clans and names behind a Scottish plaid mean?

Anyone browsing through our collection of tartan throws will come across names such as Royal Stewart, Dress Gordon, Hunting MacLeod, and Antique Buchanan — and that quickly raises the question of what all those additions actually mean. Is it just a marketing name, or is there a system behind it? The answer is that there definitely is a system behind it, and once you know it, choosing between tartans becomes a lot easier.

What is tartan, actually?

Tartan is the Scottish name for the checkered weave pattern created by weaving colored threads together in a fixed, repeating pattern, both vertically and horizontally. Each pattern, with its own color combination and proportion, is called a "sett". Originally, tartans were primarily associated with a region, later increasingly with a family or clan, and nowadays tartans are also designed for companies, events, and simply to look beautiful — without historical connotations. You will find both types in our collection, and we like to be honest about that.

Why is one Stewart throw called "Royal" and the other "Dress" or "Hunting"?

This is the question most people have, and the answer lies in a number of standard additions associated with tartan names. "Modern" (often not explicitly mentioned, but the standard) refers to the bright, saturated colors made possible by modern chemical dyes. "Ancient," "Weathered," or, as in our collection, "Antique" refers to a muted, aged color scheme reminiscent of the softer vegetable dyes of the past — compare our Antique Royal Stewart with the regular Royal Stewart and you will immediately see the difference in intensity. "Dress" means that the pattern has a predominantly white or light background; these versions were traditionally intended for more formal occasions. "Hunting" indicates a darker, more subdued color scheme with green and brown tones, originally intended to blend in better during the hunt. This system immediately explains why there are so many variations of the Stewart tartan in our collection: Royal Stewart, Antique Royal Stewart, Dress Stewart, Antique Dress Stewart, Grey Dress Stewart, Hunting Stewart, Camel Stewart, and Muted Blue Stewart are not random colors, but all belong to the same recognizable pattern, each with its own atmosphere.

The most famous clan names in our collection

Royal Stewart is probably the most famous tartan in the world: it is the personal tartan of the British Royal Family and is now worn worldwide, independent of any clan affiliation. Black Watch, With its dark blue-green tartan, it owes its name to one of the most famous Scottish regiments and is one of the most widely worn "universal" tartans, even outside the clan from which it originated. In addition, we carry tartans that do trace back to specific Scottish family names, such as Gordon, Buchanan, MacDonald, MacLeod, Robertson, Anderson, Lindsay, and MacDuff — each a name with its own history, often linked to a region in the Scottish Highlands. Anyone with a connection to one of these names, through family or simply a trip to Scotland, often consciously chooses that specific tartan.

Not every diamond is a clan tartan, and that is fine.

To be honest: not everything in our collection is a registered clan tartan with a long history. Patterns such as Cottage, Bannockbane, Jubilee, Kilgour, Morello, Forest, Distel, and Dark Maple are more modern designs, inspired by the classic tartan tradition but not linked to a specific historical clan — comparable to how a fashion designer creates a new check print within a recognizable style. The same applies to our herringbone, waffle, and patchwork throws, which honor Scottish wool craftsmanship without calling themselves a tartan.That doesn't make them any less beautiful, but it is good for a customer to know that with Royal Stewart or Black Watch you are bringing a piece of history into your home, and with Cottage, for example, primarily a beautiful, contemporary color design.

Which tartan suits you?

If you are still unsure, go with what appeals to you: for a classic, recognizable look, Royal Stewart or Black Watch is a safe and timeless choice; for a softer, understated atmosphere in the home, the Antique or Dress variants fit better; and anyone with a personal connection to a Scottish family name will naturally choose that specific clan tartan. View the full collection of tartan throws to see all patterns side by side, or read first which blanket is the warmest if material and warmth are just as important to you as the pattern.