Corryvreckan Tartans
1 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
Corryvreckan Tartan Origins & History
Explore the History
How it all started
The Gulf of Corryvreckan is a narrow strait found in Argyll and Bute between the islands of Jura and Scarba, off the west coast of mainland Scotland. It is long famed for its strong tidal currents and standing waves, and the 'Corryvreckan Whirlpool' which is one of the largest in the world and is one of the most dangerous stretches of water around the British Isles. The mysterious waters are filled with Scottish Folklore and ancient myths, one telling the story of the Cailleach, a wise woman who washed her ancient plaid of wool in the Gulf of Corryvreckan. The thunderous waters made a grand roar and ushered in the first storms of winter and when the plaid was clean, it turned to a pure white (a covering of snow), with Cailleach spreading it out to dry on the mountain tops.
What's in the tartan?
The Corryvreckan tartan is mainly brown with stripes of blue and pale green throughout, potentially to resemble the landscape surrounding the Gulf of Corryvreckan.
Scottish Folklore and the tale of the Corryvreckan
More legends of the uncanny tides involve a Scandinavian prince by the name of Breakan, who fell in love with the princess of the island of Jura who was to display his courage by anchoring his boat for three days in the whirlpool in exchange for her father's consent to marriage. He accepted the challenge and had three cables made, one from hemp, one from wool, and one from maidens' hair. He survived the first two days and nights but on the last day, the plaited hair cable snapped leaving the boat to the sucked under the currents with Breakan later buried in the King's Cave. Join Monja and Susan on the ScotlandShop Sofa as they share fables of folklore and old legends just like this.
The Corryvreckan Whirlpool
The real reason for the whirlpool is in fact a lot less fantastical than the old legends tell. The gulf has a giant pinnacle of rock under the sea which rises up to 95 feet below the surface. This obstruction causes the whirlpool and during particularly stormy weathers the roar from the waters can be heard from 20 miles away. Tourists can visit the Gulf of Corryvreckan by way of boat trips from local harbours which can take you past seal colonies and sea eagle nesting sites, with a slightly longer trip taking a venture towards the Garvellach Isles. On your boating experience you can combine the whirlpool with whale watching, dolphin spotting, bird viewing and discovering the wildlife of the stunning stretch of coastline. You can even visit the gulf through sightseeing flights from Oban Airport as well.
The Gulf of Corryvreckanm translates to the Gaelic Coire Bhreacain, meaning "cauldron of the speckled seas" or "cauldron of the plaid".
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