District
Inverness Tartans Page
The Inverness tartan is a predominantly red tartan with black and white. The Second son of the Monarch, the Duke of York holds the Scottish title, the Earl of Inverness, and, from Victorian times always followed a career in the Royal Navy. The title was first given to the sixth son of George III, HRH Prince Augustus Frederick who was also Duke of Sussex in 1801. In several of the following generations the second son held the title of Duke of York, Earl of Inverness and Baron Killamey and were, the son of Edward VII (later George V), the son of George V (later George VI), and the son of HM Queen Elizabeth II (Prince Andrew).
Inverness Tartans
2 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
Inverness Tartan Origins & History
Explore the history
How it all started
Territories
Inverness means "mouth of the ness" (yes it is near Loch Ness and that famous monster) and is the UK's most northerly city. It was only granted city status in 2001. Inverness is also regarded as the capital of the Highlands.
Clan Chief
The Inverness tartan is a district tartan and therefore does not have a Clan Chief.
Let's talk about tartan...
The Inverness tartan is a predominantly red tartan with black and white. The Second son of the Monarch, the Duke of York holds the Scottish title, the Earl of Inverness, and, from Victorian times always followed a career in the Royal Navy. The title was first given to the sixth son of George III, HRH Prince Augustus Frederick who was also Duke of Sussex in 1801. In several of the following generations the second son held the title of Duke of York, Earl of Inverness and Baron Killamey and were, the son of Edward VII (later George V), the son of George V (later George VI), and the son of HM Queen Elizabeth II (Prince Andrew).
The hunt for Nessie
There has been much speculation over the existence of the Loch Ness Monster since it was first brought to the attention of the world in 1933. Stories evolve about sightings of the monster almost every year. Have you ever seen Nessie?The very first Inverness castle was built from wood and was burnt down by King Robert I, better known as Robert the Bruce.
Discovering the Loch Ness Hubb
There's a lot more to Loch Ness than than the tales of Nessie! The area boasts strong connections to Clan Fraser of Lovat. We speak to Russell Fraser, Manager of the locally owned and run Loch Ness Hub, about his Clan Fraser connections as well as the heritage, culture and beauty that the area has to offer.
Inbhir Nis means Inverness in gaelic.
