An Introduction to Stewart Tartans

The golden age of tartan was during the 19th century, when old patterns were collected and new designs woven, each usually associated with a clan or family name.

Thus clan tartans have often become symbols of clan history rather than being actual clan artifacts from the Jacobite period or before.



Prince Charles Edward Stuart does seem to have worn a range of garments made of a tartan pattern that has come to be known as Royal Stewart.  This pattern has become the most instantly recognised and famous tartan in the world.

During the tartan renaissance, the Stuart descent through the House of Hanover lead to considerable royal patronage of tartan and many designs based around the Royal Stewart pattern were created in Victorian times.



At the same time, old and new patterns were authorised as Clan Tartans, including the Stewart of Appin, Stuart of Bute and Stewart of Galloway.

This information was gathered together with the assistance of the Scottish Tartans Society and  Scotland On Line.