Designed by ScotlandShop
St Andrew’s Society Melbourne Tartans & Clan
The St Andrew’s Society of Melbourne is a dynamic network of Scottish business leaders based in the city, united by shared heritage and a strong spirit of collaboration. Founded in 2020 by Nick Broadley, the Society has grown into a vibrant community where members often discover they are only two or three degrees of separation apart.
St Andrew’s Society Melbourne 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.
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
St Andrew’s Society Melbourne Clan Origins & History
The Story Behind The
St Andrew’s Society Melbourne Tartan
Designed by ScotlandShop in 2024, the St Andrew’s Society of Melbourne Tartan tells a story of connection between Scotland and Australia. Each shade within the sett was carefully chosen to reflect the heritage, landscape and shared identity of the Society’s members.
Blue represents the Saltire, Scotland’s national flag and a proud symbol of Scottish identity across the world. Black acknowledges the colours of the Australian Aboriginal Flag, recognising the deep cultural history of Australia. Light purple echoes the heather that carpets the Scottish hills, while light green represents the eucalyptus trees so closely associated with the Australian landscape. Finally, navy reflects the colour long linked with the city of Melbourne and the state of Victoria, bringing together both places that shape the Society’s story. Together these colours create a tartan that honours Scottish roots while celebrating the life, community and opportunities found in Australia.
About The
St Andrew’s Society Melbourne
At its core, the St Andrew’s Society Melbourne is focused on building meaningful and lasting relationships within Melbourne’s Scottish business community. It provides a space where connections can flourish, partnerships can develop, and members can support one another both professionally and personally.
The organisation is also driven by a strong desire to give back to the city that has played such an important role in the success of many of its members. Melbourne has provided opportunities for growth and new ventures that may not have been possible had they remained in Scotland. Looking ahead, the Society aims to continue strengthening its network while creating lasting value for both its members and the wider community.
Exploring Scottish Heritage in Australia
Discover more about the enduring connection between Scotland and Australia through our collection of stories and features. From an exclusive interview with the St Andrew’s Society of Melbourne to exploring the legacy of Scots Down Under, these blogs celebrate the people, traditions and events that keep Scottish culture thriving across the world.
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