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Stone of Destiny Tartans Page
The Stone of Destiny, also known as the Stone of Scone, is a symbol of Scottish national identity and royal tradition. The ancient stone is believed to have been used as a coronation seat for Scottish kings for centuries. The Stone of Destiny has been the subject of much debate and controversy over the years, particularly regarding its ownership and where it should be located.
Stone Of Destiny 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.
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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.
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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
Stone of Destiny Tartan History
Origins
The earliest origins of the Stone of Destiny are unclear. According to a chronicle in the 15th century, the stone was first brought to Scotland by Fergus, son of Erc and used for his coronation in Argyll at the beginning of the 6th century. There is a suggestion the stone may have had an association with the stone used for the coronation of the High Kings of Ireland.
Going back further still, it's been suggested the stone is the Stone of Jacob, taken by Jacob from Bethel and described in the story in Genesis 28. It made it's way to Ireland via Jeremiah, the prophet. Adding a dose of reality to the rumours and counter rumours, geologists have examined the stone and found it to be sandstone of a type quarried in the immediate vicinity of Scone, the location from which Edward 1's armies took it as spoils of war.
Wherever it came from, in 1296 the Stone was moved to Westminster Abbey, to be used in the coronation of Kings of England and of the United Kingdom following the Treaty of Union in 1707. Earliest coronations in Scotland involved the monarch sitting on the stone, however Edward 1 had grander ideas, building a chair around the stone. Originally the stone formed the seat base, but eventually a wooden seat base was added, it's thought at some point in the 17th Century. The chair has been used by monarchs in coronation ceremonies ever since.
Rumour suggests the Stone taken by Edward 1's armies was not the original Stone of Destiny, and the stone found in Arbroath was not the same stone stolen from Westminster Abbey
A Daring Heist!
On Christmas Day 1950, a group of four enterprising Scottish students stole the stone from Westminster Abbey, with the intention of returning it to Scotland. Unfortunately, the removal process didn't go to plan, and at some point the stone broke into two pieces. It seems most likely they were overcome by the sheer weight of the stone - it weighs 152kg (just over 300lb).
Despite the closure of the border between England and Scotland for the first time in 400 years, the two pieces of the stone made it back to Scotland where it was repaired by a professional stonemason.
In April of 1951 the stone was found on the site of the High Altar at Arbroath Abbey, the location of the 1320 Declaration of Arbroath, the definition of Scottish nationhood. It returned to Westminster where it remained until 1996, when it was returned to Scotland by order of Her late Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II.
Three of the four students confessed to their crime but were never prosecuted, for fear of politicising the process.
The Coronation of King Charles III
On Saturday, May 6, 2023 the Stone of Destiny will once again be placed within Edward 1's coronation chair for the coronation of King Charles III at Westminster Abbey. Once the ceremony is complete, the Stone will be returned to its permanent home in Edinburgh.
Joseph Morrow, the Lord Lyon of Scotland, said the stone was an Ancient symbol of sovereignty;
"The stone was taken from its place in the Abbey of Scone to this abbey church in 1296 by command of King Edward I in an act of enmity. It was returned to Scotland in 1996 by command of Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in an act of amity.
"Now it comes again to this place by command of King Charles III as an act of unity and a symbol of friendship."
Let's talk about tartan...
The Stone of Destiny tartan was designed to commemorate the return of the Stone of Destiny from Westminster to Scotland in 1996. Mainly Royal Blue in colour it's produced in a muted colour palette, to recreate softer, natural colours.
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