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Outlander
Designed specifically for use in the TV series, Outlander tartans have been made famous the world over by the exploits of Jamie and Claire. Series eight, the final series in this epic tale, premieres at the beginning of March 2026.
ScotlandShop is an official partner and producer of Outlander series tartans
Outlander 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.
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.
Helpful Advice
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
Outlander Tartan | Where it all began
The Outlander Books
In the late 1980's, Diana Gabaldon decided to write a novel. It was a 'practice' to answer two questions. What did it actually take to write a novel and was it something that Diana really wanted to do as a full time career? Fast forward to June 1, 1991 and the first book was published, entitled 'Outlander' in the USA and 'Cross Stitch' in the UK. Eight more books followed with the most recent, 'Go Tell the Bees that I am Gone' published in 2021.
Are there more? The author says that there will be one more book, with a release date still to be confirmed.
Image: Midhope Castle, Abercorn, South Queensferry. Lallybroch in Outlander
These books have to be word-of-mouth books because they're too weird to describe to anybody.
ScotlandShop & Outlander
ScotlandShop have been sharing Scotland, her history and her stunning tartans with fans all over the world since 2002. For the launch of series 8 in March 2026, ScotlandShop is an official partner and producer of Outlander series tartans, bringing the official, registered Outlander tartans to a whole new generation of Outlander fans.
Outlander | The Clan Tartans
In addition to the official Outlander tartans, ScotlandShop supply a host of beautiful garments and tartan fabric in the Clan tartans of the families in the series and district tartans connected to Outlander.
Clan MacKenzie
In Outlander, Clan MacKenzie is portrayed as a powerful and fiercely independent Highland clan, rooted at Castle Leoch in the early Jacobite era. Led by the formidable Colum MacKenzie, the clan is shown as politically astute, loyal to its people, and deeply shaped by the tensions between clan tradition, English rule, and the looming Jacobite cause.
Pictured: Tartan Kilted Skirt in MacKenzie Muted
Clan Fraser
In Outlander, Clan Fraser & Clan Fraser of Lovat, are depicted as proud Highlanders with deep roots in loyalty, land, and kinship. Through Jamie Fraser and his lineage, the Clan embodies honour, resilience, and a fierce commitment to family, set against the political unrest and personal sacrifices of the Jacobite era.
Pictured: Tartan Gathered Skirt & Wool Tartan Shawl in Fraser Hunting Weathered
Isle of Skye
In Outlander, the Isle of Skye is woven into the story through the haunting theme song, The Skye Boat Song, which echoes the journey of Bonnie Prince Charlie after Culloden. Its melody sets the emotional tone of exile, loyalty, and loss, grounding the series in Highland history and the enduring spirit of Scotland’s landscapes.
Pictured: Tartan Kilted Skirt & Mini Sash with Rosette in Isle of Skye
Outlander Images
Just a few of the locations and sets from the show.
Chat with the Tartan team
Uncertain about taking measurements and nervous about getting it wrong? Not sure what you need? Just want to talk Scotland and her tartans with our specialists?
Why not book an appointment in our locations in Edinburgh, Crieff or Duns in Scotland, or our US base in Albany, NY? If you're too far from a location, we also offer virtual appointments via video meeting.
All appointments are free and entirely without obligation to buy. Something that lasts a lifetime is not bought in an instant so all appointments have enough time for you to consider properly, and if you need a second appointment (or a third), that's no problem!
