Tartan is without doubt the most recognisable symbol of
Scotland and designs vary through many different colours. Tartan has
also created a great deal of romantic fabrication, controversy and speculation
into its origins, name, history and usage as a Clan or Family form of
identification.
Did you know:
Tartan patterns are called "setts"; the sett
being the complete pattern and a length of tartan is made by repeating the
pattern or sett over and over again.
The Celts for many thousands of years are known to
have woven chequered or striped cloth and a few of these ancient samples have
been found across Europe and Scandinavia. It is believed that the introduction
of this form of weaving came to the West of Northern Britain with the Iron age
Celtic Scoti (Scots) from Ireland in the 5 – 6th
c. BC.
Early Romans talked of the Celtic tribes wearing bright
striped clothing - there was no word at that time for chequered. One of the
earliest examples of tartan found in Scotland dates back to the 3rd century AD.
The word Tartan we use today has also caused speculation and
confusion as one camp says it comes from the Irish word - tarsna
- crosswise and/or the Scottish Gaelic tarsuinn – across. The Gaelic
word for Tartan has always been – breachdan - the most accepted
probability for the name comes from the French tiretaine which was a wool/linen mixture.
One of the first recorded mentions of Tartan was in
1538 when King James V purchased "three ells of Heland Tartans" for
his wife to wear.
In 18th Century Scotland each area or
community grouping would have, as one of its artisans, a weaver. He - they were
invariably men - would no doubt produce the same tartan for those around him
and that tartan would initially become what we now call a District Tartan - one
worn by individuals living in close geographical proximity such as glen or
strath. By its very nature, that community would be one huge extended family that soon became
identified by its tartan which it wore.
A great boost to tartan came from Queen Victoria
and her Consort, Prince Albert. They fell in love with Balmoral - the Royal
residence on Deeside in Scotland - and with tartan and all
things Highland. Prince Albert designed the now world famous Balmoral tartan
and they bedecked room after room with it, further consolidating the
Victorians' romanticised view of the 'noble' Highlander.
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GENTLEMEN - THE TARTAN
Here's to it! The fighting sheen of it, The yellow, the green of it, The white, the blue of it, The swing, the hue of it, The dark, the red of it, Every thread of it.
The fair have sighed for it,
The brave have died for it, Foemen sought for it, Heroes fought for it. Honour the name of it, Drink to the fame of it - THE TARTAN. (Murdoch Maclean) |
Over the last fifty years or so
tartan has developed into a multi-million pound industry dominated by a few
large mills. Today tartan holds a unique place in the annuals of textile history
and has come to symbolise, along with the kilt and bagpipes, the cultural
identity of the whole Scottish nation.
In recognition of Tartan and it's colourful vibrant design we at Rubberduckz.co.uk have introduced a range of fabulous Tartan design Zippo style Petrol Lighters. With 7 designs to choose from including the famous royal Stewart and MacDonald Clan Tartan. Our Tartan Lighters make a fabulous Father's Day or Birthday Gift.
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