What are Tartans?
Tartans are historically associated with Highland clans. You can wear a Highland clan tartan if you are a member of the clan or of a related family, known as a sept. There is, however, limited historical evidence as to the authenticity of the so-called “ancient” tartans, most of which were adopted in the 18th and 19th centuries following the repeal of the Disarming Act of 1782. This Act had prohibited the wearing of Highland dress after the Jacobite uprising, when the wearing of the tartan was a symbol of Scotland’s struggle for freedom. A book entitled “Vestiarium Scoticum”, published in 1842, included illustrations of a number of Highland clan tartans which were subsequently adopted by most of the clans. Tartans worn by lowland families are of more modern design. Many of these date from the 20th century and form a miscellany of clan and family tartans, district (or specific) tartans, and trade designs, which are registered by the Scottish Tartans Society. They are sub-classified acco
