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Elgin Tartans

0 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.

Elgin Cathedral

From the Start

Elgin Tartan Origins & History

Elgin

Explore the history

How it all started

Situated in the world-famous whisky region, Elgin lies on the south cost of the Moray Firth. This around midway between the Scottish cities of Inverness and Aberdeen, mounting the River Lossie. The town offers wondrous scenery and many pleasant characteristics as well as a number of local distilleries. The Elgin Cathedral ruins are at the heart of local history, the cathedral was once considered Scotland's most beautiful cathedral, rivalling St. Andrews in importance. The infamous cathedral was founded back in 1224 with Elgin gaining their royal burgh status in 1234 by King Robert I of Scotland. Today it is little more than a shell, though it does retain its original facade and has a very romantic feel to it - well worth the visit even just for the view!

What's in the tartan?

The Elgin tartan in predominately yellow with hints of black and white throughout.

Duffus Castle Elgin

Duffus Castle

Duffus Castle is a medieval stronghold of the Moray family and is considered one of Scotland's finest Motte and Bailey Castles. Mottes were more common in the 12th and 13th centuries, prior to the existence of stone builds. By the time it was abandoned in 1705, Duffus Castle was reduced to ruins, however, it remains an impressive sight upon its water-filled moat, signifying the castle's defensive boundary.

The origin of the name Elgin is believed to be from Celtic "Aille", meaning a beautiful place or valley.


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