Scottish Clans
Stewart Tartans & Clan
Clan Stewart were the Royal family of Scotland from 1371 when Robert II took the throne - his father was married to Robert the Bruce's daughter - all the way up to the death of Queen Anne in 1714.
Who Wears Stewart Tartan? - Associated Names
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.
- Boyd
- Carmichael
- Clay
- Combe
- Combich
- Combie
- Conlay
- Conley
- Donlevy
- Dennison
- Denniston
- France
- Francis
- Lay
- Lennox
- Levack
- Lisle
- Livingston
- Livingstone
- Lombard
- Lorne
- Lumbard
- Lyle
- MaccMacmichael
- Menteith
- Mitchell
- Mitchelson
- Monteath
- Monteith
- Moodie
- Moody
- Robb
- Steuard
- Steuart
- Stuart
- Walker
Associated Regiments
Over the last 300 years, tartans have been a part of official dress for some of the most famous regiments throughout the military world! Their respective regimental tartans became undisputedly tied to the very core identity of the soldiers who wear it. Explore the associated regiments below:
- Black Watch Pipers
- Bombay Volunteer Rifles (India)
- Calcutta Scottish (India)
- Duke of Albany's Own Highlanders
- King's Own Scottish Borderers
- Loretto School Officer Training Corps
- Queen's Own Corps of Guides
- Royal Scots Dragoon Guards (Pipers)
- Royal Scots (The Royal Regiment)
- Royal Scots (Pipers)
- Scots Guards (Pipers)
- Shanghai Volunteer Corps (China)
StewartTartans
33 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.
From the start
Stewart Clan Origins & History
From the start
Stewart Clan Origins & History
Explore the history
How it all started
Territories
Clan Stewart lands are more or less all across Scotland. The Clan owns some of the most recognisable properties in Scotland such as: Edinburgh Castle, Stirling Castle, Linlithgow Palace, Castle Stalker, Doune Castle, Bishop's Palace and Castle Stuart. Clan Stewart were the Royal family of Scotland from 1371 when Robert II took the throne - his father was married to Robert the Bruce's daughter - all the way up to the death of Queen Anne in 1714.
Clan Chief
The current chief of Clan Stuart is The Most Hon. John Crichton-Stuart, 7th Marquess of Bute. Clan Stewart is an armigerous clan which means that the clan, family or name is registered with the Court of the Lord Lyon, but does not currently have a chief recognised by the Lyon Court.
Explore the history
How it all started
Territories
Clan Stewart lands are more or less all across Scotland. The Clan owns some of the most recognisable properties in Scotland such as: Edinburgh Castle, Stirling Castle, Linlithgow Palace, Castle Stalker, Doune Castle, Bishop's Palace and Castle Stuart. Clan Stewart were the Royal family of Scotland from 1371 when Robert II took the throne - his father was married to Robert the Bruce's daughter - all the way up to the death of Queen Anne in 1714.
Clan Chief
The current chief of Clan Stuart is The Most Hon. John Crichton-Stuart, 7th Marquess of Bute. Clan Stewart is an armigerous clan which means that the clan, family or name is registered with the Court of the Lord Lyon, but does not currently have a chief recognised by the Lyon Court.
What's in the name?
Derived from the old English stigeweard, stige meaning "hall", and weard meaning "guardian" or "warden".
What's in the name?
Derived from the old English stigeweard, stige meaning "hall", and weard meaning "guardian" or "warden".
Edinburgh Castle
At one point in time the Stewart's held Edinburgh Castle, arguably the most notable castle they held. Edinburgh Castle is located upon a rock in the centre of Edinburgh. It is thought that the first castle built upon the rock was constructed during the 12th Century, it was primarily used as a Royal Residence base that is until the 17th Century when its main use converted into a military barracks. Research shows that the castle was attacked 26 times throughout its long history, which makes it the most besiged and most attacked places in Great Britain.
Edinburgh Castle
At one point in time the Stewart's held Edinburgh Castle, arguably the most notable castle they held. Edinburgh Castle is located upon a rock in the centre of Edinburgh. It is thought that the first castle built upon the rock was constructed during the 12th Century, it was primarily used as a Royal Residence base that is until the 17th Century when its main use converted into a military barracks. Research shows that the castle was attacked 26 times throughout its long history, which makes it the most besiged and most attacked places in Great Britain.Who can wear Clan Stewart's tartan?
Well, when it comes to Stewart Royal tartan, everybody can! As long as you are a subject of Queen Elizabeth II of course...
The scarlet red Stewart Royal tartan is one of the best known tartans in the world, however there are also many other variations and if red is not your colour this same sett is available in black, blue, camel and the dress variation which is predominantly white.
Who can wear Clan Stewart's tartan?
Well, when it comes to Stewart Royal tartan, everybody can! As long as you are a subject of Queen Elizabeth II of course...
The scarlet red Stewart Royal tartan is one of the best known tartans in the world, however there are also many other variations and if red is not your colour this same sett is available in black, blue, camel and the dress variation which is predominantly white.
Clan Motto: Virescit Vulnere Virtus (Courage grows strong at a wound)
Clan Motto: Virescit Vulnere Virtus (Courage grows strong at a wound)
So many Stewart's
Although the Stewarts were principally a Lowland family the name is common throughout the whole of Scotland (and also Ireland), with many offshoots in the Highlands. The family descends from Sir James Stewart of Pierson who was descended from the 4th High Steward of Scotland. For a time they were Lords of Lorn and were of importance in their Western territory. They were Royalists and fought valiantly for the Royal Stewarts. Duncan Stewart, 2nd of Appin, was Chamberlain of the Isles to King James IV. They fought under Montrose at the Battle of Inverlochy, and in the Jacobite army at Sheriffmuir in 1715. During the 1745 Rising the clan served in Prince Charlie's army. The 9th chief sold the estate in 1765.
So many Stewart's
Although the Stewarts were principally a Lowland family the name is common throughout the whole of Scotland (and also Ireland), with many offshoots in the Highlands. The family descends from Sir James Stewart of Pierson who was descended from the 4th High Steward of Scotland. For a time they were Lords of Lorn and were of importance in their Western territory. They were Royalists and fought valiantly for the Royal Stewarts. Duncan Stewart, 2nd of Appin, was Chamberlain of the Isles to King James IV. They fought under Montrose at the Battle of Inverlochy, and in the Jacobite army at Sheriffmuir in 1715. During the 1745 Rising the clan served in Prince Charlie's army. The 9th chief sold the estate in 1765.
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