Which Tartan is Right For You?

It’s always a treat at a wedding or a Scottish event to see all the different tartans on display. Worn with pride and brightening up what is already such a happy occasion. We’ve all been to a kilt fitting and if you don’t already know your way around your tartans then you know it can be quite a daunting task. Looking through those chunky books of patterns and not having a clue. Fret not, we’re here to give you an insight and help you narrow down that perfect colour combo!

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The first option is the easiest, wear whatever tartan you like! It’s primarily your own choice. With thousands upon thousands of registered tartans from all over the place you’re bound to find something that jumps out at you. There’s no exclusivity in terms of the wearer, nobody is going to turn up at your wedding and shout at you for using their family’s tartan! There are some that are exclusive use only but you'd have to really go digging for them.

 

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Option 2 is to go with your family clan. Most Scottish families descend from clans all over the country from highland to lowland. The Macleod’s of the islands, Leslie of the northeast but you could be part of a clan and not know it. For example, there was no Moore clan but the surname can be traced to Clan Moir and likewise with the surname Chambers and Clan Cameron.

-Map of Scottish Clans

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Linking family and clan is only half the battle. Many clan tartans have different variations. It’s likely you’ll have the choice between ancient, modern, hunting, weathered, dress or more. Clan MacDonald has 25 different variations so for them it might be a tad more difficult.

Some of these variants can be quite similar but can also be wildly different. Take MacAuley for instance. MacAuley modern and ancient are both mainly red with green accents but with slight difference in saturation. While MacAuley hunting is mainly green with black accents and red and white trim. Once again, it comes down to a personal choice between variants; in this case do you prefer red or green? Or do you like bright or muted? Irish tartans are similar but are made up of counties rather than clans so it's a case of where you're from such as Mayo or Donegal.

-Some of the many Macdonald Clan tartans

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The last main option is to take a universal tartan. These were created to be worn by anyone for a multitude of reasons. One of the most popular hire tartans in the shop from the past couple of years has been Spirit of Bannockburn. The design itself was created to commemorate the titular battle with each of its colours representing a part of it. Green for the highland hills, purple for the heather covering glens, blue for the June sky and the waters of the Bannock Burn itself and white for the Scottish Saltire. A tartan comprised of very cold colours, giving a muted subtle look.

 

-Spirit of Bannockburn Tartan

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We hope this wee guide has helped to narrow down what to wear for your next wedding or function. If you want to pop in and see us about getting yourself fitted for a forever kilt or just a hire, give us a call or shoot us an email and we’ll see you right!

Tel: 01651 869339 

Email: sales@kiltswihae.co.uk

Visit Us: Scotstown Road

Newmachar

Aberdeenshire

AB21 7PP

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