Although the plaids were used in Highlands in very early times with a piece having been found that is believed to come from the 3rd century. The wearing of Highland dress was forbidden, in the Act of Proscription of 1747, for 35 years after the battle of Culloden. Parliament thought that this would contribute to the eradication of the clan system - which of course did not work. The Clan tartans were established and named towards the end of the 19th century when Highland dress became fashionable after King George IV wore a kilt during a visit in 1822.
There are many kinds of tartans:
- Chief's Tartan
Such a tartan is considered to be the personal tartan, worn only by the Chief and his immediate family.
- Royal Tartans
There are many tartans closely connected with the Royal Family which are worn fairly widely, but others,which should never be worn by anyone outside to Royal Family.
- Hunting Tartans
The idea of a darker pattern being required for outdoor wear, so that its wearer would stand out less clearly on the open hillside, is again Victorian in origin. It is possible that the demand arose because of the very harsh colours of the early synthetic dyes.
- Regimental Tartans
Before the ยด45, six Independent Companies (of soldiery) were raised to police the Highlands of Scotland, so creating a Regiment called the BlackWatch.Before 1740, they used a dark tartan which came to be called the Black Watch. Its origin is still argued but when tartan was proscribed it became the Government tartan and is now a Universal one that all may wear. Anyone who longs to be Scottish can wear this one.
- Mourning Tartans
As the name implies these are used in connection with death, and are usually a design using a combination of black and white.
There is even a Tartan News site where you can keep track of recent happening related to plaids.
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