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Royal Stewart / Stuart Designs

 

The pattern was first published by James Logan in his book, The Scottish Gael in 1831, but references indicate that the sett was known at the end of the 18th century. Early samples show blue as a light 'azure'.

 

Stewart Black & Stewart Blue

The Stewart Black sett appears in Paton's Collection. The samples are undated but the collection is known to have been put together around the 1830's, with some additions during the Victorian period. The Stewart Blue goes further, replacing the red ground with a deep blue one.

Royal Family Tartans

Balmoral

The Balmoral tartan is not produced as an article of commerce. D.W.Stewart wrote in his book, Old and Rare Scottish Tartans (1893), "Her Majesty the Queen has not only granted permission for its publication here, but has also graciously afforded information concerning its inception in the early years of the reign, when the sett was designed by the Prince Consort." The grey threads are flecked to give an impression of granite and the two designs being variations of colour and scale.
Prince Albert

Another variation, available from Wilson's of Bannockburn, with a sample existing in the Norwich Collection (early 18th Century). The pattern over-checks the remaining clear red under-check, which is also changed to blue as in Stewart Blue.
Stewart Victoria or Royal Stewart Dress

James Grant took all of the seventy two tartans in his book, Tartans of the Clans of Scotland, published in 1886 by W.& A. K. Johnston, from actual specimens in use at the time. Many are identical to those found in the earlier work of W. and A. Smith in 1850. The Victoria sett was known to have been favourably regarded by that great Queen. The tartan is also known as Royal Stewart Dress or simply Dress Stewart.

Black and White Versions

These tartans are monochromatic versions of the Royal Stewart and are sometimes called mourning tartans. Found in Clan Originaux (TS1232), published in Paris in 1880 by J. Claude Fres Et Cie, of which only one copy exists, and in W & A K Johnston (TS1231) from 1906.

 

Racing Stewart

This is the livery tartan for Jacky Stewart's Formula One motor racing team. It is similar to Stewart Black with some over-checks removed and the blue under-check enlarged.

As with many names in tartan, miscellaneous designs are found called Stewart, two of which, from the Museum of Antiquities, are shown below.