Tartan Origins

[bear]

What are the origins of clan tartans?

Were they simply an idea by a weaver for making money?
That seems to be what's happening with the Irish tartans. Different weavers are trying to be the company that designs the Irish place tartans and holds the rights.

I understand that long ago tartans were made by whatever dyes were handy to that particular area. When did the clan system of tartans become formalised?

Who made up the tartans? And why? I'm guessing money was involved.

[bubba]

I believe it had more to do with the King of England wanting Clan Chiefs to attand a function wearing their Clan tartans. Nobody knew what in hell he was talking about so the hunt was on and a couple enterprising Poles created a book of Clan tartans they pawned off as original pre proscription Clan tartans. Far as I know before the proscription tartans were pretty much whatever the local weavers were making and the wealthier the person the more colors were in the tartan.

[M. A. C. Newsome]

Check out this lecture I gave earlier this year (also available as an audio CD):
The Sources of the Tartans

The first part of it pretty much answers your question.

M

[Riverkilt]

Great lecture Matt, thanks. I'd guessed the tartans just came about because the lady weaving them up had those colors and amounts of yarn handy and did what she could with what she had...not too far off.

Thanks for all your research...could never have found all that myself...is this a great board or what!?

Ron

[bear]

Thanks Matt,
I'm surprised it all happened so recently!
There is a common belief that Scottish tartans are hundreds of years old.
I've even been told that while Scottish tartans are the 'real deal', Irish tartans are just something recently invented by the Irish.
It's surprising to learn there could be as little as 100 to 150 years' difference in Scottish and Irish tartans!