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Highland Cathedral Tartans

1 variations

Each 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.

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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.

Scottish Highlands

From the Start

Highland Cathedral Tartan Origins & History

Highland Cathedral Music

Explore the History

How it all started

Highland Cathedral is a popular song for the great Scottish bagpipes, and often when you hear them play it will most likely be this tune! However, although it is a renowned traditional Scottish song, Highland Cathedral was in fact composed by the German musicians Ulrich Roever and Michael Korb as a pipe tune in 1982, allegedly for a Highland Games being held in Germany. It has become hugely popular and is played alongside Scottish anthems such as Scotland the Brave and Flower of Scotland. It originally did not have any lyrics, but they were later added in both English and Gaelic in 1990. The story describes the moment in history from when James VI of Scotland became James I of England, when he unified all the lands and feuding clans for the first and probably only time! The tune has since been played across the country at any suitable opportunity, from cultural events, such as the Edinburgh Tattoo, atmospheric rugby games and traditional Scottish weddings. The rousing piping tune really does make any Scotsman feel at home.

What's in the tartan?

The 'Highland Cathedral' tartan is predominately a navy blue with stripes of purple, red, yellow and green running throughout.

Edinburgh Tattoo

The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo

Whilst on the topic of famous piping songs, Highland Cathedral has been part of the many piping performances at the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, which is an annual series of military tattoos played by British Armed Forces, Commonwealth and International Military Bands. It is held each year at Edinburgh Castle across the month of August as part of Edinburgh's Fringe Festival. The event was originally inspired by a show called 'Something about a Soldier' performed at the Ross Bandstand in 1949, with Lieutenant Colonel George Malcolm being the first producer of the tattoo. He aimed to establish the army's contribution to the festival, from a modest park event to a global showcase at the world famous castle. Highland Cathedral has been part of the set on many occasions and has heard numerous arrangements at the well renowned spectacle.

"In this Highland Cathedral, let our standards, bear. Joining, together, with one dream to share."


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