Each tartan can have multiple variations, the most common of which are Ancient, Modern, Weathered, Hunting and Dress
About tartan variations
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.
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.
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.
The Modern tartans are often the more subtle combinations such as the classic Black Watch Modern
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.
Some mills refer to the Weathered tartans as Muted.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The Eternity Tartan was originally designed for weddings - with the goal of all marriages to be eternal! Many people choose to marry in the scenic region of Scotland, and with a wealth of rich history and culture, it is no wonder that it is well-known for having some of the most romantic wedding traditions which make every ceremony even more special. Whether you want a stunning backdrop for the big moment when you pop the question, a romantic castle to tie the knot, or an island retreat for the idyllic honeymoon, Scotland's home to an astonishing variety of romantic spots. The eternity tartan can also be linked to Celtic knotwork which is an ancient tradition dating back before the Celtic people even existed. There are many different types with the Eternity Knot being one of the most recognised signs in Celtic symbolism. Made from one single chord that interlocks within itself, the eternity knot is a closed circuit and is used to represent eternity, much like a wedding ceremony.
The eternity tartan is mainly brown, with various natural tones throughout. Intended for Scottish weddings, it was designed for use with grey tweed kilt jackets and has previously been shown in the Dedicated to Wedding magazine.
Scottish wedding traditions have evolved and adapted over the centuries to suit changing times and customs, however, many Scottish wedding traditions remain today, and they involve more than just wearing a kilt! From the famous Handfasting ceremony to the drinking from the Quaich, many of these traditions are even now incorporated into weddings all around the world. If you want to learn what a Scottish Bride includes in her big day, from tartan outfits and accessories to the more traditional aspects, you can watch our ScotlandShop on the Sofa Episode, where Anna, Monja and Tasmin can fill you in!
One of the many Scottish wedding traditions is using the traditional quaich, with both the Clan Crest Quaich or the Carved Oak Quaich, which you can buy from us to add a Scottish touch to your special day! This is a two-handled ‘loving cup’ for the wedding feast, where the newly married couple use for their first toast, traditionally whiskey or brandy being served. It symbolises the couple’s shared lives, with the ancient vessel being used by two clans to celebrate the bond. Many years ago, it was made from wood and by the 17th century, silver mountings or metal quaichs were used. Today, the quaich is either silver or pewter, with an overlay of wood and before and after the ceremony, the quaich sits on a plinth.
The word eternity can be translated into Scots Gaelic as 'sìorraidheachd', meaning time extending infinitely far into the future.