We were asked - - Do similarities between clan tartans imply some sort of relationship between the clans? For example, Campbell and Robertson use the same field and stripe pattern with different colors. Douglas and Irvine have the exact same field but with different embellishments. Did these clans copy each other's designs? Or make their tartans similar to honor some sort of alliance or kinship?

As Rocky says in this clip - yes....no...maybe!

The clans of Scotland have a rich variety of origins - some Norse, some Gaelic, some Norman, etc. However, clan tartans are much less diverse. While there are some stories surrounding the development of a few clan tartans, most come down to a simple matter of a Laird or Chieftain seeing a pattern in a book and saying, "That one!"

Most clan tartans were developed and set down as a matter of record in the 19th century.

Infamously, many were originally drawn up in the Vestiarium Scoticum (full title, Vestiarium Scoticum: from the Manuscript formerly in the Library of the Scots College at Douay. With an Introduction and Notes, by John Sobieski Stuart). First published in 1842, this tome purported to be a reproduction of a 15th-century manuscript recording the official tartans of Scottish families. However, the book was quickly found to be a scam invented by the Sobieski Stuarts (who were actually two English brothers).

Even so, many of their tartan designs were accepted and became official clan symbols. And honestly, many are quite attractive designs, so perhaps their "ancientness" is not an issue in light of their beauty.

Many clan tartans were also based loosely (or closely) upon the old "Government Sett" Black Watch; itself a tartan adopted by Clan Campbell who had raised the first Highland Regiment of the British army. In this case it seems that there was an attitude of "it isn't broken so we don't need to fix it." Arguably, tartans based on Black Watch also impart an aura of military prowess - honor by association, you might say.

In some cases tartans _were_ in fact based on those of friendly families. In essence, the development or choice of a tartan for a clan is entirely idiosyncratic. One factor they did not include the way we do today was symbolism. Clan tartans as a rule were not created with colors or lines representing physical objects, places or ideas the way we do today.


Tartans of the day:
Rocky: Kilts & Culture Official Tartan
Erik: Mitchell Ancient



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