Canadian
Ontario Tartan
From the shores of the Great Lakes to the bustling streets of Toronto and the natural beauty of Niagara Falls, Ontario is a province rich in history, culture and Scottish heritage. Generations of Scottish settlers have helped shape the province, leaving a lasting legacy that continues to be celebrated through Highland Games, clan societies and Scottish traditions. This connection is also reflected in the Ontario Tartan, which takes inspiration from the province's Coat of Arms, with colours representing its symbols and wildlife.
Ontario 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.
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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
Ontario Clan Origins & History
Explore the History
How it all started
Originally known as Upper Canada, Ontario became one of the four founding provinces of Canadian Confederation in 1867. The name Ontario is believed to come from an Indigenous word meaning "great lake," "beautiful lake," or "sparkling water.", reflecting the province's abundance of lakes and waterways. Scottish immigrants played an important role in shaping the province, particularly during the 19th century, establishing communities, businesses and institutions that have left a lasting legacy. Today, Ontario is Canada's most populous province and home to both Ottawa, the nation's capital, and Toronto, its largest city.
What's the story of the Ontario Tartan?
The Ontario Tartan, also known as the Ensign of Ontario, was created in 1965 and became widely recognised as the province's unofficial tartan. Its design takes inspiration from Ontario's Coat of Arms, first granted by Queen Victoria in 1868. The yellow represents the three golden maple leaves on the shield, while the red comes from the cross of St George. The black and brown reflect the wildlife featured on the Coat of Arms, including the black bear, moose and deer. Although not the official provincial tartan, the Ensign of Ontario tartan continues to be a popular choice, with its colours and pattern celebrating the province's distinctive symbols and heritage.
Ut Incepit Fidelis Sic Permanet (Loyal he began, loyal he remains)
Image Credits:
Parliament Hill | Jason Hafso on Unsplash
Niagara Falls | Edward Koorey on Unsplash
Muskoka Lakes | Alex Caza on Unsplash
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