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Strathspey Tartans Page
Strathspey is a historic region in the central Highlands of Scotland, known for its dramatic landscapes, rich cultural heritage, and deep-rooted traditions. The Strathspey tartan is linked to the Strathspey Fencibles, a volunteer regiment formed in the late 18th century to defend the region during times of unrest. The tartan itself is believed to be a variation of the Black Watch tartan.
Strathspey 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
Strathspey Tartan Origins & History
The Heart of Highland Whisky
Strathspey
Strathspey is a scenic region of the Scottish Highlands, stretching along the River Spey and encompassing well-known towns such as Aviemore and Aberlour. Also referred to as Speyside, the area is world-renowned for its Scotch whisky, boasting one of the highest concentrations of single malt distilleries anywhere in Scotland, including iconic names like Glenfiddich and Balvenie.
The Clans of Strathspey
Strathspey has long been associated with several prominent Highland clans, most notably Clan Grant, whose ancestral lands are rooted in the region. The Grants were a powerful presence in Strathspey from the medieval period onward, with their seat at Castle Grant near Grantown-on-Spey. Other clans with historic ties to the area include Clan MacPherson and Clan Gordon, whose lands bordered or overlapped the region at various times. These clans played key roles in shaping the culture, defence, and identity of Strathspey over the centuries.
Defenders of the Highlands
The Tartan of the Strathspey Fencibles
The Strathspey tartan is linked to the Strathspey Fencibles, a military unit raised in 1793 by General James Grant of Ballindalloch. Many believe the tartan is a variation of the Black Watch pattern, reflecting its military roots. The Fencibles were a temporary regiment of the British Army, formed for home defence at a time when the threat of invasion was high in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Their name comes from "defensible," accurately describing their role as a protective force within Britain.
Image: Engraved portrait of Sir James Grant with a view of his regiment, the Strathspey (or Grant) Fencibles, by John Kay.
Image Credit:
Uath Lochans-VisitScotland / Kenny Lam
Loch Morlich-VisitOrkney / Richard Elliot
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