Black Stewart Tartan

Tartan Finder

Strathmore has an online tartan finder with pictures of the actual tartans we use to make kilts and other articles. If you can't find what you want there, write us and we will help you locate a suitable tartan.

Fabric by the Yard

Strathmore

Lochcarron

We can also obtain custom and rare tartans!

Folkwear Pattern #152Pattern

We have Folkwear Scottish Kilt Pattern #152, written by Ann Stewart - let us help you source your tartan, and create your own kilt or kilt skirt!

Tartan Selection

What tartan may I wear?
You may wear any tartan which suits your fancy! Not all Scots are members of Highland Clans, nor are all kilt-wearers Scots. Tartans come in a number of varieties:
  • Clan and family tartans - Highland Clans and Great Houses of Scotland
  • District/area tartans - Many cities, states, provinces and countries have distinctive tartans
  • Organizations - military units, sporting organizations and even corporations have tartans
  • Individuals and offices - many individuals have personal tartans, and many offices have tartans associated with them. (The Prince of Wales has several specific to offices he holds.)
So find a tartan you like and go for it!
May I wear my (mother's/grandfather's/spouse's/province's) tartan?
Sure can!
How many tartans are there?
Lots - and more are being added every day.
What's the difference between Modern, Ancient, Weathered, Hunting and Dress tartans?
Tartans are specified by thread count (so many threads of green followed by so many threads of blue followed by so many threads of green). However, the exact color of the thread is not specified. So for Ancient tartans, threads with more faded colors are used. And Weathered tartans use what the specified color would look like if it were left out in the weather. Otherwise, the same tartan uses the same thread count. Hunting tartans, on the other hand, tend to be separate tartans from the regular clan tartan, and come in more muted, earthier tones. Dress tartans tend to pick a large area of a dark color and replace it with white or a light color. See Hay at the online tartan finder for a good example.

For more information on tartan, and to see lots of tartans, visit the Scottish Tartan Authority's website.

If you really want to find out what clan your family was a member of, you'll have to start working on your genealogy. For those of British background, www.genuki.org.uk (GENealogy in the UK and Ireland) is a good place to start. For those in North America, check out the US Genweb and Canada Genweb sites.