District
American Tartans Tartans Page
Estimates of the number of Americans claiming a Scottish ancestry vary between nine and 20 million. And if we include the US citizens who have Scottish ancestry but don't know it then 20 million is probably the more realistic figure. 34 American states have their own tartan, along with 630 other tartans for American companies, cities, military organisations, fire departments, schools & universities, Highland games, sports teams, private individuals, police forces and a diverse range of other organisations including famous names such as the FBI, the California Highway Patrol, Encyclopaedia Brittanica, American Express, 7th Cavalry, Westpoint Military Academy and even the US Marines. (Source: Scottish Tartans Authority). We do not stock them all and many are restricted but we work with all the Scottish mills so if you can't see the one you want on the list please contact us as we may be able to source it for you.
American Tartans
13 variationsEach tartan can have multiple variations, the most common of which are Ancient, Modern, Weathered, Hunting and Dress
About tartan variations
- Ancient
- Modern
- Weathered
- Hunting
- One thing to remember if you are ordering your tartan to match an existing kilt or accessory is that although the sett and colours are the same, there can be a slight difference in colour from one mill to the next. This is purely down to yarn dying so if
Ancient Tartan
Before 1860 fabrics were coloured using animal and vegetable dyes. This produced the softer colours typical of the Ancient tartans, mossy greens and sky blues, a more orangey red and some would say showing off the pattern to much greater effect as as the contrasts are much brighter than the Modern tartans. The pattern or sett remains the same across all variations of a single tartan, and only the shades or tones vary.
Helpful Advice
Post 1860 chemical dyes replaced the natural animal and vegetable dyes and the Modern Tartans were born with their stronger and bolder colours. The soft greens and blues become bottle green and navy blue, reds are scarlet.
Modern Tartan
Before 1860 fabrics were coloured using animal and vegetable dyes. This produced the softer colours typical of the Ancient tartans. Post 1860 chemical dyes replaced the natural animal and vegetable dyes and the Modern Tartans were born with their stronger and bolder colours. The soft greens and blues become bottle green and navy blue, reds are scarlet.
Helpful Advice
The Modern tartans are often the more subtle combinations such as the classic Black Watch Modern
Weathered Tartan
Before 1860 fabrics were coloured using animal and vegetable dyes. This produced the softer, more earthy colours typical of the Weathered tartans, reminiscent of bolder colours subjected to wind, rain and sunshine producing beautiful faded tones, olive greens and browns, and very light blues with reds that are more pink than red.
Helpful Advice
Some mills refer to the Weathered tartans as Muted.
Hunting Tartan
The Hunting Tartans are the camouflage tartans and some clans don't have these variations because they are already predominantly green or brown and don't need amendment to blend in with nature's colours. The Black Watch or Gunn tartans are examples of these, whereas a tartan such as the Fraser is predominantly red and would not provide much cover for men out hunting.
Helpful Advice
One thing to remember if you are ordering your tartan to match an existing kilt or accessory is that although the sett and colours are the same, there can be a slight difference in colour from one mill to the next. This is purely down to yarn dying so if you need an exact match we suggest you order a swatch to double check.
One thing to remember if you are ordering your tartan to match an existing kilt or accessory is that although the sett and colours are the same, there can be a slight difference in colour from one mill to the next. This is purely down to yarn dying so if Tartan
The Dress Tartans were designed as the name suggests for celebrations and highland dance. The sett or pattern of the tartan remains the same and the main colour is changed to white, or extra white is added to the pattern to give it a brighter, more "fancy" appearance. The Scots do like to bend the rules and occasionally instead of white thread, yellow is used and this is where the rather wild MacLeod Dress Modern and Barclay Dress Modern came from.
Helpful Advice
One thing to remember if you are ordering your tartan to match an existing kilt or accessory is that although the sett and colours are the same, there can be a slight difference in colour from one mill to the next. This is purely down to yarn dying so if you need an exact match we suggest you order a swatch to double check.
From the start
American Tartans Tartan Origins & History
Explore the history
How it all started
Territories
Estimates of the number of Americans claiming a Scottish ancestry vary between nine and 20 million. And if we include the US citizens who have Scottish ancestry but don't know it then 20 million is probably the more realistic figure. 34 American states have their own tartan, along with 630 other tartans for American companies, cities, military organisations, fire departments, schools & universities, Highland games, sports teams, private individuals, police forces and a diverse range of other organisations including famous names such as the FBI, the California Highway Patrol, Encyclopaedia Brittanica, American Express, 7th Cavalry, Westpoint Military Academy and even the US Marines. (Source: Scottish Tartans Authority). We do not stock them all and many are restricted but we work with all the Scottish mills so if you can't see the one you want on the list please contact us as we may be able to source it for you.
Clan Chief
The American tartans are district tartans and therefore do not have a Clan Chief.
Leathernecks
We like our historical facts and as we stock the Leathernecks US Marine Corps tartan we checked out the story behind the "leathernecks". According to the Marine Corps Association & Foundation since the days of the Barbary pirates, United States Marines have called themselves "leathernecks." Legend and lore have it that the term leatherneck was derived from leather neckbands worn in the late 1700s to protect Marines from the slash of the cutlass. Another more likely reason is that the high stocks were worn for discipline to keep the Marines' heads high and straight. Neither explanation has ever been verified. Whatever the reason, the name leatherneck stuck and the distinctive dress blue uniform blouse still bears a high stock collar to remind Marines of the leatherneck legacy.
Visit Dunedin with Alan and Joan
Alan was recently voted in as President of the Scottish American Society in Dunedin and we were lucky enough to speak to him, virtually of course, at the beginning of lockdown about his experience within the society and what originally made him move over to America from Sunny Scotland. Anna and Emily had the pleasure of meeting Alan and Joan when they were hosting pop up shops in Florida in March 2020 and hearing all of their amazing stories so we just had to feature then on Anna'nother thing about Tartan.
Explore Scotland in New York with Lorraine Bell
Lorraine is Chief of the New York Caledonia Club as well as being a member of both the Saint Andrew's Society of the State of New York and The American-Scottish Foundation, in addition to this she is also a member of the St. Andrew's Society of Toronto! So if there is anyone to know about all things Scottish in North America, in particular New York, it is Lorraine Bell!
Scottish Americans
There are a lot of notable Americans who are actually from Scottish descent, the most famous include; Neil Armstrong - the first man to walk on the moon, Alexander Graham Bell - inventor of the telephone, Dr John Harvey Kellogg and Will Keith Kellogg - developed the Kelloggs breakfast cereals, Elvis Presley - The King of Rock and Roll and 61% of American Presidents were of Scottish Descent.
US Expansion Q&A
As we embark on our exciting journey opening our very first US base in Albany, Anna and Emily take to the ScotlandShop sofa to answer all your burning questions about the upcoming expansion. Why the US? Where and when can I visit? Are you really bringing over 500 tartans stateside? We answer all!
A chat with Sydney Park, Miss New York 2021
In this special episode of Anna'nother thing about tartan Kalyn is joined by Sydney Park, reigning Miss New York and proud Scottish-Korean American. They chat about Sydney's charity work and participation within the Scottish community in New York City, as well as being crowned Miss New York! You don't want to miss it.
Scots Who Built New York Tour
Have you ever wondered how much Scottish heritage resides in New York City? In today's video Kalyn answers that exact question by taking the American Scottish Foundation the 'Scots Who Built New York' walking tour. From Trinity Church to the New York Stock Exchange she explores the countless incredible buildings within the city that were built be Scots.
Ameireaganaich Albannach is Gaelic for Scottish Americans.
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