American
Illinois Tartans & Clan
The Illinois Tartan was designed by Frances Gillan in 1990 in anticipation of the 150th anniversary of the St Andrews Society of Illinois, celebrated in 1995. The Society’s governors selected a field of blue and white to reflect the flag of Scotland, alongside the white background of the Illinois State Flag. A touch of red was added as a subtle reference to the red, white and blue of the United States flag, symbolising the shared heritage between Scotland and America.
Illinois 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.
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.
Explore the History
How it all started
The Illinois Tartan was created in 1990 by Frances Gillan to mark an important milestone for the St Andrews Society of Illinois, with its 150th anniversary taking place in 1995. The design brings together blue and white to echo both the Scottish Saltire and the white field of the Illinois State Flag, creating a strong visual link between Scotland and the state. A subtle use of red completes the sett, referencing the red, white and blue of the United States flag and the shared heritage it represents.
Illinois
Official State Tartan
In 2012, the Illinois St Andrews Society Tartan was officially designated the State Tartan of Illinois following a unanimous vote in the State Senate, recognising its cultural significance and the long-standing contribution of Scottish heritage to the state’s history. This formal designation helped cement the tartan’s place as a symbol of shared identity and pride for communities across Illinois. Over time, the tartan has become known by several names, including Illinois, Chicago, Illinois St Andrews, Chicago Scots and Illinois State, reflecting its broad adoption and the many groups and traditions it represents.
who are the
Chicago Scots
Originally founded in 1845 as the Illinois St Andrews Society, the organisation now widely known as the Chicago Scots is the oldest non-profit organisation in the state of Illinois. For nearly two centuries, the Society has played a central role in celebrating and sustaining Scottish culture in the Chicago area through service, fellowship and community-led events.
The Chicago Scots run a varied programme of cultural and social activities, while also supporting charitable causes and educational opportunities. This includes funding scholarships for college and university students across the United States and in Scotland through the R Harper Brown Scholarship. True to their inclusive ethos, the Chicago Scots welcome anyone with an interest in Scotland, whether Scottish by birth, by heritage or simply by inclination.
Chicago Scots President
Gus Noble OBE
Gus Noble OBE is President and CEO of Chicago Scots and Caledonia Senior Living and Memory Care, and a leading figure within the Scottish American community, receiving the The Scottish Coalition, USA, Scot of the Year Award in 2021. Born in Dundee and educated at the University of Stirling, Gus moved to Chicago in the early 1990s and has since dedicated more than 17 years to promoting Scottish culture in the United States. In recognition of his exceptional service, including his leadership during the COVID-19 crisis where every resident of Caledonia Senior Living was protected, he was appointed an Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire and received his investiture at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh.
Gus also has a strong personal connection to the Scottish Borders, having grown up in Duns, the town where ScotlandShop’s headquarters is based. This shared sense of place reflects the close and continuing links between Scotland and the Chicago Scots community, and highlights the lived connection between Scottish heritage at home and its celebration across the Atlantic.
Caledonia Senior Living & Memory Care
In 1910, the Illinois Saint Andrew Society opened The Scottish Home to provide compassionate care rooted in Scottish tradition. That same year, the Home moved to a five-acre site in North Riverside, generously donated by John MacGill. The original building was designed by architect William Bryce Mundie, who had strong Scottish roots and whose commitment to the project was such that he donated his architectural fee back to the Society.
After the original building was destroyed by fire in 1917, the determination of the Scottish American community ensured that the Home was rebuilt within months, reaffirming the belief that “the Scottish Home must not die in its own ashes.” Today, The Scottish Home offers a full spectrum of senior living care, from independent living through to specialised nursing care, within a setting rooted in connection, tradition and compassionate support. This was further strengthened in 2016 with the opening of Caledonian House Memory Care, also known as the MacLean House, and together these facilities form a caring community where residents are supported, valued and empowered at every stage of later life.
