Tartans

OLD or ANCIENT These are the softer & lighter colours produced by the natural dyes made with vegetable, animal & mineral matter, that were in use before 1860. For instance, the navy and red in a Modern tartan would be a medium blue and orange in Ancient colours.

DRESS Dress tartans were used for more formal occasions and are sometimes made by changing the background colour of a clan tartan, usually to white. Dress tartans can also be red dominant or even yellow.

MODERN These are the bright, rich colours that most people associate with the Scottish Tartan--navy blue, scarlet, hunter green. They were woven after the development of aniline dyes in 1860, and are still the most popular today.

MUTED Muted tartans are a recent development using softer shades of the Modern colours that still retain a rich tone. For instance, the navy of the Modern tartan is a dusty blue in the Muted tones, and the hunter green is a deep sage. They are quite elegant.

WEATHERED Designed to look like the fabric has been left exposed to sun and rain for a long time. The colours are very faded.

HUNTING Hunting tartans were used for sport or everyday wear. Dark colours were predominant so the wearer would blend in with the environment. They typically use green & blue, sometimes brown, with small amounts of the brighter colours