Clan Jardine is a Scottish Clan with territories in the Scottish Lowlands, mainly in Dumfriesshire. The historic seat of the clan is Spedlins Tower.
First of all to explain why there are so many tartans, way over 2000 in fact. There are an awful lot of Scottish clans to start with and on top of this each clan can have many different tartans and names associated with it.
Each tartan can have multiple variations, the most common of which are Ancient, Modern, Weathered, Hunting and Dress
About tartan variations
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.
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.
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.
The Modern tartans are often the more subtle combinations such as the classic Black Watch Modern
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.
Some mills refer to the Weathered tartans as Muted.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The surname of du Jardine was first recorded at the Battle of Hastings in 1066 and it is assumed that the family, which takes its name from the French word for a garden, moved in the following century to Kendal, in Westmorland England, then to Lanarkshire by the 13th century. In the early 14th century, they settled in Dumfriesshire where they have been established ever since a member of the Jardine family, Winfredus de Jardine, witnessed Charters for both Arbroath and Kelso Abbey during the reign of King David I. Another Charter for Arbroath Abbey from Robert Bruce, ancestor of King Robert I, was witnessed in 1178 by Humphrey de Jardine.
By the 14th century, the clan was firmly established at Applegirth on the River Annan, in Dumfriesshire, and from here springs the Chiefly line. In the early 16th century, Sir Alexander de Jardine was preoccupied with defending the Borderland against the English. However, by1573 they were confirmed in their lands of Jardinefield in Berwickshire, Applegirth and Sibbaldbie in Dumfrieshire, Hartside and Wandel in Lanarkshire, and as well Kirkandrews in Kirkudbrightshire. They also played a major role in supporting Mary Queen of Scots until her marriage to the Earl of Bothwell, when they transferred their allegiance to the child James VI.
Sir William Murray Jardine of Applegirth, The 13th Baronet of Applegarth is the 24th Chief of Clan Jardine & Chief of the Arms & of the Name Jardine. His father, Sir William Jardine, 12th Baronet and 23rd chief of Clan Jardine was very active in promoting clan activities and also served on the Committee of the Council of Chiefs.
Photographed is Colonel Sir William Jardine of Applegirth, 11th Baronet., O.B.E., T.D., D.L. & 22nd Hereditary Cheif of Clan Jardine who founded the Jardine Clan Society.
The name Jardine is derived from 'Jardin' which is French for garden or orchard. The Clan's Plant badge is Apple Blossom which feels very fitting!
Jardine Hall was an elegant mansion with pleasant grounds in Applegirth parish in Dumfriesshire on the left bank of the River Annan. It was built in 1814 for Sir Alexander Jardine to a design by James Gillespie Grahame and was extended in 1893 with wings raised to three stories, however, it was demolished in 1964. The 15th century Spedlins Tower (seat of Sir Alexander's ancestors) lies just to the west on the opposite bank of the rivers and still stands today, and is a strong turreted ivy-clad structure. The tower is said to be haunted by the ghost of James 'Dunty' Porteous a local miller, who was imprisoned in the dungeon and forgotten when the owner made a trip to Edinburgh.
This Jardine tartan is predominately red and green with hints of light blue, black and white throughout. It was created in the early 90's with the design being approved by the 23rd Jardine Clan Chief, Sir Alexander Maule Jardine of Applegirth, 12th Baronet, and was delegated as the official Jardine family Dress tartan.
Clan Motto: Cave Adsum (Beware I am here)