Isle Of Man Tartans
2 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
Isle of Man Tartan Origins & History
Explore the history
How it all started
The Isle of Man is a self-governing British Crown province that belongs to neither the UK nor the European Union. It is found in the middle of the Irish Sea almost equally halfway between England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland. It’s known for its rugged coastline, medieval castles, and rural landscape, and in the capital, Douglas, the Manx Museum explores the island’s Celtic and Viking heritage. The Manx are a group from the Isle of Man and are often described as a Celtic people on the basis of their recent Goidelic Celtic language, but their ethnic origins are mixed, including Germanic lines. It became an island around 85,000 years ago when melting glaciers caused sea levels to rise cutting off prehistoric Britain from mainland Europe. Strategically located, the Isle naturally attracted the attention of many welcome traders and other not so welcome raiders! The first Celtic tribe which arrived and began to inhabit the island were likely to come from Ireland, as the current Manx Gaelic language so closely resembles Irish Gaelic. Manx history seemed to have gained stability in 1405 when King Henry IV granted the Island to Sir John Stanley on a feudal basis and was ensured by successive generations by the Stanley family.
What's in the tartan?
The Isle of Man tartan, the Manx tartan, is largely blue with hints of purple. yellow, green and white throughout. Each colour is to symbolise a different facet of the Manx landscape; blue for the sky, purple for the heather, yellow for the gorse, green for the hills and white for the traditional whitewashed croft buildings.
Castletown
Castle Rushen is a medieval castle found in heart of the historic capital, Castletown, in the south of the island. It towers over the Market Square to the south-east and the town's harbour to the north-east. It was originally built for a Norse king during the 12th century and was later besieged by Robert the Bruce. It was once the home of the Kings and the Lords of the Isle of Man until the 18th century and holds many stories within its walls. It now serves as a museum and educational centre decorated with life-like settings, earning a reputation as one of the best-preserved medieval castles in Europe. It towers over the town's Market Square to the south-east and the harbour to the north-east, with the ramparts of the Castle also providing remarkable views in all directions across the town and out to the sea. You can also visit the surrounding Castle gardens, which offer a peaceful walk amongst the flowers where you can stand and admire the ancient stronghold!
The Island’s name derives from Manannán, the Celtic god of the sea.
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