Just had a thought

[Grizzly]

does anyone know or could hazard a guess at what the most produced tartan would be. I searched the tinterweb and the only answer I could find was Royal Stewart. It also leads me to ask the kiltmakers on here in which tartan do they make the most kilts? I think that the answers would be quite different due to geographics and chronology of tartan designs, eg Isle of skye would not have been available before the early nineties although I suspect that there are many IOS kilts out there these days.

Any replies or information would be most appreciated.
many thanks
simon

[Paul Henry]

I suspect if you ask individual kiltmakers, and exclude those orders for pipe bands and the like there is less chance of weighting in favour of any particular tartan, certainly my experience is such that my clients choose something that they want, either for family or colour reasons, rather than copying someone else or fashion, or perhaps it's just that I encourage them to make their own choice. Having said that I have done several Maclean of Duart and Isle of Skye kilts.

[sydnie7]

If you're talking about use of tartan in general (as opposed to specifically being made up into kilts), I'd hazard some guesses about Black Watch, Burberry, and others of the ilk. That is, relatively simple patterns that get used as linings, shirts, bathrobes. . . you name it. BW has many variants and Burberry (although trademarked) is copied world-wide.

If you want to talk strictly kilts, then as paulhenry says you also need to consider MoD and pipe band influence -- take into account, or strike those tartans from the count?

Not a simple question!

[Burly Brute]

If you're talking about use of tartan in general (as opposed to specifically being made up into kilts), I'd hazard some guesses about Black Watch, Burberry, and others of the ilk. That is, relatively simple patterns that get used as linings, shirts, bathrobes. . . you name it. BW has many variants and Burberry (although trademarked) is copied world-wide.

If you want to talk strictly kilts, then as paulhenry says you also need to consider MoD and pipe band influence -- take into account, or strike those tartans from the count?

Not a simple question!

***

[Tobus]

My money says Blackwatch wins by a comfortable margin. From the 1700s all the way to today, I'd bet it's consistently the most produced and used tartan overall.

[Grizzly]

thanks for the replies I too thought perhaps BW which contradicts a web search. Sydnie you have a very good point about Burberry I hadnt thought of them. They must have produced tons of this design for many varied products.
Like many others my first kilt was a BW although now older and wiser I wouldnt choose it again. Although I saw a recent post in a weathered or muted BW and that looked really nice. Is there a predominent tartan in the US or would that mainly be district or State Tartans. I appreciate that there could be many candidates for most produced. Am not looking for any particular reason just interested to know.
thanks again for your input.
regards

[Geoff Withnell]

Totally unscientific sample,but the most common tartan seen around the Celtic fests, and Highland games I see on the East Coast of the States would be BW.

[Chas]

There was a time, not so long ago, when all souvenirs from Scotland incorporated the Royal Stewart tartan.

I have seen it on match-books, toothpick holders, printed onto whisky tumblers, hair ribbons, surrounds or borders on all sorts of things like postcards, all the miniature souvenir dolls, coasters, whisky bottle holders and and and, the list is endless.

If you wanted to say and advertise Scotland it was always Royal Stewart. Whereas in our world the Black Watch is easily identifiable, but to the rest of the public it is just too dark.

Regards

Chas

[Nick the DSM]

I'm gonna have to go with Black Watch as well.

What about the Shepard's check or Burns Check?

[The Wizard of BC]

If you are asking about what Tartan is used most the weavers are telling me that Royal Stewart leads the list by many thousands of yards.
Around here we call it the most used, and abused, Tartan. It is seen everywhere from umbrellas, to shoes to tablecloths.

It is used in ladies fashions the most also. I have contact with a company in China that does only Royal Stewart. 268 looms running 24/7 weaving no kilt fabric. Just stuff for the fashion industry. They also have 112 printing presses also running 24/7. These print the Tartan on Cotton and blend fabrics including plastics and nylon canvas. Exclusively Royal Stewart.