BorthwickTartans
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
- Dress
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.
Dress 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.
Dall’inizio
Borthwick Clan Storia e Origini
Esplorare la storia di Clan Borthwick
Come tutto è cominciato
Territories
The Borthwick family is one of the most Modern in Scotland and some recent research suggests that they may have come to Britain with Caesar’s legions.
Clan Chief
The current chief is John Hugh Borthwick of that Ilk, 24th Lord Borthwick
Cosa c'è nel nome Borthwick?
The name Borthwick is of territorial origin, and it seems likely to have been assumed from lands on Borthwick Water in Roxburghshire.
Borthwick Castle
This imposing fortress was created by Sir William de Borthwick 600 years ago and is today one of the preserved 15th century keeps in Scotland. A refuge to Mary Queen of Scots in 1567 and attacked by Cromwell in 1650 as he marched through Scotland en route to Edinburgh (the castle sits atop a knoll guarding the road south to the Borders from Edinburgh). The 10th Lord Borwick refused to leave his castle and the east wall still bears the evidence of the canon blast that resulted. No Borthwicks lived there until 1810 when J Borthwick bought the castle back again and following extensive renovation today is a hotel and home to many weddings and special events.During the fifteenth century the Borthwicks acquired immense influence and became Lords of Parliament.
Clan Motto: Qui Conducit (He who leads)
The Moors
In 1330 Sir William Borthwick was part of the group charge with taking Robert the Bruce’s heart to the Holy Land. On their way there, the group was attack by Moors in Spain. William, being a fearsome warrior was undaunted and cut the Moorish leader’s head off with a single blow, saving the group in the process. For this reason, the Clan still proudly displays the moors head on its crest, grizzly but true.
