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.
Orkney is a group of more than 70 islands and islets off the northeastern coast of Scotland, lying around 20 miles north from the mainland across the Pentland Firth. With hundreds of miles of coastline, idyllic beaches and views as far as the eye can see, you will have no trouble exploring these enchanting islands. Orkney holds many Neolithic sites such as Skara Brae, which is an underground village on the west coast of the mainland island and is the most complete European relic from the late Neolithic Period. These settlers from the New Stone Age left a lasting mark through chambered tombs, standing stones and stone circles. The most famous being Maes Howes which is a 2800 BCE chambered cairn and a passage grave, as well as the stone circles of Stenness and the Ring of Brodgar, built 4,600 years ago which comprise of a circle of 60 stones, of which 27 remain. These are part of the 'Heart of Neolithic Orkney Heritage Sites' which are a group of 5,000 year-old plots across the archipelago, with archaeological sites, settlements and monuments that together tell stories of the lives of the first settlers in the Orkney islands, cultivating the lands and enjoying the wonders of the seas.
Against it's rich historical backdrop which creates a true feeling of permanence, every month and season brings new pleasures to the isles. With it's year-round festivals, lively communities and the everchanging land and seascape, each occasion offers it's own attractions. Between the white sandy beaches, turquoise waters, dramatic cliffs and rock pools, the islands are a magnet for outdoor lovers. The walking and hiking trails are never ending and each boasts a new surprise around every corner, attracting almost 200,000 visitors each year.
The name Orkney itself comes from 'Orkneyjar', meaning Seal Islands. From 800 AD, settlers from Norway arrived in the Northern Islands, and the language spoken changed to Old Norse, from which Norwegian, Faroese and Icelandic stem from.
Long before Stonehenge or even the Egyptian pyramids, Skara Brae was a flourishing village and is the best-preserved Neolithic settlement in Western Europe. The village was first uncovered by a storm in 1850, and remains a place of discovery today. When visiting, you can see a replica Neolithic house and you can follow paths which overlook the ancient buildings, imagining what life was like for the farmers, fisherman and hunters who lived there. It was originally an inland village beside a freshwater loch with all the house being built of flat stone slabs set into large mounds of midden and linked together by covered passageways. A plentiful array of artefacts and natural remains has been discovered during numerous archaeological excavations including tools, pottery and jewellery, with the villagers able to produce elaborate items using basic tools. No one knows why village life seemed to end around 2500 BCE, with some arguing that a huge sandstorm engulfed the homes with other believing it was more of a gradual process.
Boreas domus mare amicus (The North our home, the sea our friend) is the motto found on the Coat of arms of Orkney.