Fit Check - Burns Supper 2026

[Janner52]

To get the conversation vaguely back on course, where did this term "hunting tartan" come from? Is it an Americanism, or perhaps the weavers pandering to the USA market? Or..................? Or?.................? Personally, I find it a very unhelpful, mildly irritating, and totally inaccurate description.

Thank goodness!
Apparently hunting tartans came about as a means of camouflage to make the wearer less obvious to the wildlife. Likely a product of the Victorian times. I’m sure that those more expert than me will be able to confirm or correct this.

Following the preceding discussion here my thoughts are why were they not referred to as Shooting Tartans or something else. Sorry.

[Troglodyte]

To get the conversation vaguely back on course, where did this term "hunting tartan" come from? Is it an Americanism, or perhaps the weavers pandering to the USA market? Or..................? Or?.................? Personally, I find it a very unhelpful, mildly irritating, and totally inaccurate description.

I am sure there is no single origin now known.

When the idea of clan tartans first became a 'thing' it seems that the clans who had manned the Independent Companies that went on the become the Black Watch, or the other regiments, would have become used to seeing their young men sporting a kilt in the regimental (government) tartan.

It seems these clans - Campbell, Grant and Munro - used 'Black Watch' as their respective clan tartan until about 200 years ago, when a more colourful red-based alternative was adopted as a 'true' clan tartan. The old dark tartan is still retained, but has been relagated to 'hunting' status as it appears less dressy by comparision.

As clans 'rediscovered' their new colourful tartans, weavers seemed happy to provide a dull alternative that might be suitable 'a la chasse'. I bet very few so-called hunting tartans have been seen active in the way the name suggests, but there are some tartans that require an alternative - 'Loud MacLeod' worries the Noise Abatement Society, as it can be heard coming two glens away...

[Jock Scot]

My Grand father was often to be heard saying, "you give us an extra hours daylight when that tartan(Macleod of Lewis) is worn! " I used to wear it for dress occasions in my youth, but I wear Macleod of Harris for all occasions these days and have done so for too many years to count. Regrettably, I don't have the puff these days for evening functions and having damaged hearing from loud farm machinery and too much shooting without ear protection(take note you youngsters!), I cannot have a decent conversation either, even when the music is not playing.

[Canadian Vet]

I am sure there is no single origin now known.

When the idea of clan tartans first became a 'thing' it seems that the clans who had manned the Independent Companies that went on the become the Black Watch, or the other regiments, would have become used to seeing their young men sporting a kilt in the regimental (government) tartan.

It seems these clans - Campbell, Grant and Munro - used 'Black Watch' as their respective clan tartan until about 200 years ago, when a more colourful red-based alternative was adopted as a 'true' clan tartan. The old dark tartan is still retained, but has been relagated to 'hunting' status as it appears less dressy by comparision.

As clans 'rediscovered' their new colourful tartans, weavers seemed happy to provide a dull alternative that might be suitable 'a la chasse'. I bet very few so-called hunting tartans have been seen active in the way the name suggests, but there are some tartans that require an alternative - 'Loud MacLeod' worries the Noise Abatement Society, as it can be heard coming two glens away...

"When the idea of clan tartans first became a 'thing' it seems that the clans who had manned the Independent Companies that went on the become the Black Watch, or the other regiments, would have become used to seeing their young men sporting a kilt in the regimental (government) tartan.

It seems these clans - Campbell, Grant and Munro - used 'Black Watch' as their respective clan tartan until about 200 years ago"

My Athol kilt is a derivative of the government tartan in that category.

[Troglodyte]

"When the idea of clan tartans first became a 'thing' it seems that the clans who had manned the Independent Companies that went on the become the Black Watch, or the other regiments, would have become used to seeing their young men sporting a kilt in the regimental (government) tartan.

It seems these clans - Campbell, Grant and Munro - used 'Black Watch' as their respective clan tartan until about 200 years ago"

My Athol kilt is a derivative of the government tartan in that category.

Black Watch is the basis for a surprising number of tartans. You can create a 'new' tartan simply by adding a red, yellow, white, or whatever you fancy, line in the base tartan (as lots seem to have done), or change any or all the colours without altering the sett.

You can waste hours' of fun with a digital 'tartan creater' programme...