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Isle of Skye Tartans Page
The Isle of Skye tartan was inspired by the beautiful greens and heather hues found on the island. Bonnie Prince Charlie briefly fled to the Isle of Skye, disguised as the maid of his mistress Flora MacDonald, who helped him in his escape. She was arrested and held in Argyle before being moved to London, while the Prince managed to evade the bounty hunters chasing a hefty reward.The capital of Skye, Portree, was named after James V's visit to the island in 1540, and is derived from the Gaelic 'kings port'.
Isle Of Skye 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.
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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.
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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
Isle of Skye Tartan Origins & History
Explore the history
How it all started
Territories
The Isle of Skye is the largest island within the Inner Hebrides of Scotland.
Clan Chief
The Isle of Skye tartan is a district tartan and therefore does not have a Clan Chief.
Castles in the Skye
There are a few castles scattered around the Isle of Skye, each belonging to a different Clan. Dunvegan Castle, the historic seat of Clan MacLeod, Armadale Castle, historic seat of Clan Donald, Knock Castle and Dunscaith Castle, both MacDonald strongholds.Let's talk about tartan...
The Isle of Skye tartan is made up of greens, browns and purples, to represent the beautiful scenery and landscapes of the island. The tartan was designed by Angus MacLeod from Isle of Lewis after he won a competition to design the tartan.
"Speed bonnie boat like a bird on the wing
Onward the sailors cry.
Carry the lad that's born to be king
Over the sea to Skye"
The Skye Boat Song - The Corries
The Isle of Skye Flag
West Highland Free Press newspaper held a competition to choose a flag for the Isle of Skye. With 369 entries a picking committee was created made up of the newspaper staff and flag experts who then shortlisted the entries and the shortlist was then set to a public vote where the people of Skye could vote for their favourite. Nine-year-old, Callum Alasdair Munro's, design was chosen as the winner! Callum's design features a Birlinn, which is a type of boat that was used in Skye during the Middle Ages. The Birlinn then has five oars, with each of the oars representing the five areas of Skye; Trotternish, Waternish, Duirinish, Minginish and Sleat. The design has even been officially accepted by the Court of the Lyon Court - Scotland's heraldic authority.
Staycation Stories: Over the Sea to Skye
Let us take you on a journey around the charming Isle of Skye. Explore its stunning landscapes, crystal clear waters and natural beauty spots that inspired the lovely colours of the Isle of Skye tartan.
Isle of Skye in gaelic is An t-Eilean Sgitheanach or Eilean a' Cheò.
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