Home > Uniquely Unspoilt Magazine > Issue 22 > Tartan
~~ Tartan ~~
Although there may be plenty of debate as to the origins of tartan, it is undeniable that today it has become one of the most recognisable symbols of Scotland, with more than 2000 designs now available.
However it has an eventful past and was even banned at one point - anyone flouting the rules faced a spell behind bars during its prohibition in the 18th century - and has even been taken in to space.
History
There are varying explanations as to where the name tartan comes from, with possible origins including the Irish tarsna (meaning crosswise) and the Scottish Gaelic tarsuinn (meaning across) or the French tartaine (a kind of checked cloth).
Depending on who you ask, the oldest surviving piece of tartan was either found buried by the Antonine Wall near Falkirk in the third century and had been used as a stopper in a pot containing coins, or was a sample of tartan found in Austria dating back to at least 320BC. Kilts apparently became fashionable amongst Austrians following the discovery after archaeologists claimed the country had invented the garment.
In Scotland the government banned tartan from 1746-82 following the Jacobite rebellion, and the Dress Act meant offenders could expect a punishment of six months' imprisonment or transportation if caught.
However, tartan was given a boost in 1822 when George IV visited Edinburgh - Sir Walter Scott persuaded the King, his entourage and all the clan chiefs and their followers to don tartan outfits and its popularity flourished.
Tartan may have since travelled far beyond Scotland to all corners of the globe, but one of its biggest achievements is when Scottish-American astronaut Al MacBean, part of the Apollo 12 crew, took the MacBean tartan to the moon and back in 1969. He said: "I did, in fact, give a piece of the tartan to the Clan McBean and also to the St. Bean Chapel in Scotland. And I've still got some of it in my possession. I did not, however, leave any of it on the moon."
How to find your family tartan
The clan tartan system originated from the fact that tartans were allocated to weavers of a particular area rather than families. The two were often closely interlinked, however, and Highlanders often wore several different tartans at the same time - so there is no need to stick to your family tartan if another one is more appealing.
A quick search on the internet at sites like Tartan of Scotland should be enough to track down a tartan for your family name as tartans now exist for many surnames. Several organisations, from Amnesty International to British Airways, have even had their own particular design commissioned and there have even been very symbolic designs created.
A special tartan was created in the aftermath of September 11 2001 attacks and, during the Tartan Day celebrations in 2002, it was presented by the people of Scotland to New York City in recognition of the friendship and solidarity between Scotland and the United States.
There is also another option should you not find anything you like - designing your own which can be done by joining the Scottish Tartans Society.
The following holiday cottages are relevant to this article:
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