American
American Scottish Foundation Tartans & Clan
Through a vibrant platform of projects and events, the American Scottish Foundation (ASF) helps share and strengthen the heritage and cultural message of Scotland's past and future. There are many ways to become involved and help support all that they do.
American Scottish Foundation Tartans
3 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
American Scottish Foundation Clan Origins & History
Explore the History
The American-Scottish Foundation
The American-Scottish Foundation was established in 1956 to strengthen ties between Scotland and the United States, fostering cultural, educational, and business exchanges. Inspired by Scotland’s rich heritage and its global diaspora, the Foundation has worked for decades to celebrate Scottish traditions while also building partnerships that support contemporary Scottish arts, community initiatives, and economic connections. Today, it continues to serve as a bridge between the two nations, promoting a deeper understanding of Scotland’s culture and its enduring influence in America.
The American-Scottish Foundation Tartans
The American-Scottish Foundation tartans bring together the Stars & Stripes and the Saltire in three vibrant designs that celebrate the deep cultural and family ties between Scotland and the United States. For over fifty years, the Foundation has been building these connections, and the tartans are a colourful tribute to that shared journey. They also honour the people whose dedication helped the Foundation grow, with touches from their family tartans woven into the design: black on green from the MacKay, green on red from the Scott, and white on red from the Hamilton.
ASF Founder
Lord Malcolm Douglas-Hamilton
The American-Scottish Foundation was founded in 1956 by Lord Malcolm Douglas-Hamilton, OBE, DFC, a man whose life reflected both service and vision. A distinguished Royal Air Force pilot during World War II, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for his bravery in the skies. After the war, he entered politics, serving as Member of Parliament for Inverness-shire, where he worked tirelessly to strengthen Scotland’s role and voice within the wider world.
Lord Malcolm believed deeply in the importance of international cooperation, and it was this conviction, shaped by his wartime experiences and his years in public service, that inspired the creation of the American-Scottish Foundation. Together with his wife, Lady Malcolm Douglas-Hamilton, he sought to build a lasting bridge between Scotland and the United States, connecting the two countries through cultural, educational, and philanthropic exchange.
Tragically, Lord Malcolm’s life was cut short in 1964 when he and his son, Niall, were killed in a plane crash in Cameroon, West Africa. Though his vision was left unfinished, it became the guiding force of the Foundation, carried forward with passion and dedication by Lady Malcolm. His legacy endures in the community he helped to create and the enduring ties between Scotland and America that ASF continues to nurture.
The Wallace Award
To honour those who embody the spirit of Scottish-American friendship, Lady Malcolm created the Wallace Award in 1970. Presented annually, it recognises individuals who have made outstanding contributions to relations between Scotland and the United States. Honourees have included Robert L. McNeil Jr., Senator Malcolm Wallop, Sir Sean Connery, Senator Trent Lott, and Nobel Laureate Dr. Linus Carl Pauling. The Wallace Award remains one of the most prestigious honours in the Scottish-American community, celebrating excellence and dedication across generations.
A Life of Service and Leadership
Lady Malcolm Douglas-Hamilton
Born Natalie Scarritt Wales in Massachusetts in 1909, Lady Malcolm brought extraordinary energy and generosity to everything she did. During World War II, she founded Bundles for Britain, mobilising over two and a half million Americans to knit clothing, roll bandages, and send vital supplies to the United Kingdom. For this work, she became the first non-British woman to be named a Commander of the British Empire in 1946.
After the war, she co-founded Common Cause, Inc., rallying support against the growing Soviet threat in Europe and aiding refugees during the Berlin Airlift. It was in this spirit of public service that she met Lord Malcolm Douglas-Hamilton, marrying him in 1951. Together they created the American-Scottish Foundation in 1956, blending her organisational drive with his vision of strengthening Scottish-American ties.
Following Lord Malcolm’s sudden death in 1964, Lady Malcolm dedicated herself to carrying his dream forward. In the early 1970s, she launched Scotland Week in New York City, transforming Fifth Avenue into a celebration of Scottish pride. With permission from the Fifth Avenue Association, she arranged for crossed American and Scottish flags to fly from every other lamppost. Prestigious shops from 60th to 34th Street filled their windows with Scottish motifs, while the city hosted a two-day economic conference with leading Scottish and American scholars. The week also featured Scottish concerts, pipe bands, a symphony performance, art exhibitions, and countless gatherings that brought Scots and Americans together in friendship.
Lady Malcolm also inaugurated the Scottish Ball at the Plaza Hotel in 1971, one of the most anticipated events of New York’s social calendar, and was especially proud to establish Scotland House, a dream of Lord Malcolm’s, as a welcoming centre for cultural exchange. There, Scots and Americans could meet, attend lectures and ceilidhs, explore a library of Scottish works, and even shop for authentic Scottish goods.
Her ability to inspire and bring people together defined ASF’s growth and reputation. Lady Malcolm remained at its helm until 1989, guiding the Foundation into a new era of cultural exchange. She lived to 103, passing away in 2013, leaving behind a legacy of resilience, leadership, and community that continues to shape the Foundation today.
National Tartan Day & New York City Tartan Week
As a founding member of The Scottish Coalition, ASF helped establish Tartan Day in the United States. Building on this national recognition, the Foundation spearheaded the creation of the New York City Tartan Day Parade in 1998. What began as a small march has grown into the highlight of New York City Tartan Week, uniting Scots, Scottish-Americans, and friends of Scotland in a colourful celebration of music, heritage, and pride. ASF also led early Tartan Day programming in Washington, D.C., ensuring that Scotland’s culture and contributions were recognised at the heart of American public life.
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