Alva 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
- 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.
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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.
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
Alva Tartan Origins & History
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How it all started
Alva is a small town in Clackmannanshire between Tillicoultry and Menstrie, set in the Central Lowlands of Scotland, not far from the city of Stirling. It is one of the towns which are found immediately to the south of the Ochil Hills, which are collectively referred to as the Hillfoots. From the town, you can walk into the Ochil Hills through Alva Glen, which provides a unique glimpse into the history of the area. Whilst the geological history involves mighty glaciers, Devonian age volcanic rock and huge earth movements, the glen is now a wonderful and peaceful place for a walk. The town was developed during the 18th and 19th century when the Alva Burn powered textile mills in the area, with knitwear still being produced today. The town is also home to a number of shops and pubs as well as the famous Harviestoun Brewery.
What's in the tartan?
The Spirit of Alva tartan is predominantly blue, with touches of deep purple, green and black throughout.
Ochil Hills
The Ochil Hills are a long range of steeply sided, round topped hills, which stretch from the Firth of Tay to the city of Stirling, covering 25 miles. There are many peaks towering over 2,000 feet which provide marvelous views across central Scotland towards the north, and include colourful hill names such as Dumyat, Castle Craig and Ben Cleuch. Walkers can choose from a number of interesting lower level options through the glens, splendid individual hills or you can even enjoy a full traverse across the spine of the Ochil Range all the way from Sheriffmuir to Glen Devon. They are all clearly visible from the many viewpoints throughout the range, with the Hills being widely accessible from a variety of locations including parts of lowland Perthshire, as well as Dollar Glen and Tillicoultry.
Alva originates from the Scottish Gaelic of Allamhagh Beag, meaning little plain of the rock.
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