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Burns Check Tartans Page

When it was proposed that a Robert Burns tartan should be created, the first idea had been to base it on the Campbell - a clan with which the Burns family were connected - but after much discussion it was decided more appropriate to model it on the black and white Shepherd's Check. The overcheck introduced 'the hodden grey and a' that' and a little flavour of green fields was added.


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Burns Check Tartans

1 variations

Each 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.

Clan Origin Primary Image Burns Check

From the start

Burns Check Tartan Origins & History

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Explore the history

How it all started

Territories

Burns Check

Clan Chief

The Burns Check tartan is a generic tartan and therefore does not have a Clan Chief.

Robert Burns Tartan

What's in the name?

When it was proposed that a Robert Burns tartan should be created, the first idea had been to base it on the Campbell - a clan with which the Burns family were connected - but after much discussion it was decided more appropriate to model it on the black and white Shepherd's Check. The overcheck introduced 'the hodden grey and a' that' and a little flavour of green fields was added.

Burns Federation

In June 1959 the Burns Federation accepted the design with the condition that all goods should be made in Scotland. An excellent idea!

How to host your own Burns Night

Join Monja & Susan as they explore the story behind Scotland's National Bard, Robert Burns. Find out how to host your own Virtual Burns Supper, from haggis to tartan we'll discuss everything your need to know to celebrate Burns Night safely at home or on a video call with fellow clan members.


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