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Lotus Ltd Tartans & Clan
Created for Lotus Ltd, North America's largest Lotus car club, this bespoke tartan pays tribute to the legendary Scottish driver Jim Clark and the passionate community that carries forward the Lotus legacy. The design draws inspiration from the Cameron of Erracht tartan, Clark's family tartan, with colours taken from his iconic Lotus 38, the car he drove to victory at the 1965 Indianapolis 500.
Lotus Ltd 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
Lotus Ltd Clan Origins & History
Explore the history
Lotus Ltd Car Club
Lotus Ltd began in January 1973 as a simple get-together between two Lotus Europa owners, Ken King and Jeff Anderson, in Washington, D.C. United by a shared passion for the marque, the two met regularly to swap stories of racing and ownership adventures and to wonder if others might also enjoy the camaraderie. Soon joined by Tom “T.C.” Carter, proud owner of a Lotus Cortina, the trio formed a club they simply called “LOTUS!”. Within weeks, they had gathered a small but enthusiastic group, launched a newsletter (the Lotus Letter, forerunner of ReMarque), and entered the regional autocross scene under the banner of the Metropolitan Washington Council of Sports Car Clubs. By March, they had 19 names on the roster, six paid-up members, and plans for their first event. Fuelled by technical know-how, social energy, and an unwavering love of Lotus cars, the club quickly expanded eventually incorporating as Lotus Ltd and becoming the largest Lotus car club in North America.
The story of the Lotus Ltd Tartan
The Lotus Ltd Tartan was designed to honour both the remarkable legacy of Jim Clark and the thriving, close-knit community that is Lotus Ltd. Its pattern draws inspiration from the Cameron of Erracht tartan, Jim's family tartan, while its colours are lifted directly from his legendary Lotus 38, which carried him to victory at the 1965 Indianapolis 500. Created to mark the 60th anniversary of that historic win, the tartan is more than just a tribute to a racing icon; it’s a celebration of the enduring connection between track and road, tradition and innovation. Just as Lotus Ltd grew from a casual meet-up of three enthusiasts into North America’s largest Lotus club, this tartan weaves together decades of dedication, shared knowledge, and spirited driving. It stands as a symbol of pride, heritage, and the global community built around the Lotus name.
a racing legend
Jim Clark
Discover the story of Jim Clark, one of the most naturally gifted drivers in motorsport history and a proud son of Duns, the Scottish Borders town that is also home to ScotlandShop. As the face of Team Lotus throughout the 1960s, Clark formed an iconic partnership with the marque driving their cars to two Formula One World Championships and making history with his 1965 Indy 500 victory in the Lotus 38. His quiet determination, technical brilliance, and deep connection to both Lotus and Scotland continue to inspire generations.
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