Royal Stewart Modern Tartan
The History of the Tartan
This Tartan started life as a 'Royal' tartan - that of the Royal House of Stuart - and theoretically the personal tartan of the reigning monarch. Over the years however it became so popular and was so widely worn by all and sundry that it is now regarded as a universal Tartan. In their 1850 book 'The Clan and Family Tartans of Scotland' W and A Smith of Mauchline wrote: 'The Stuart tartan here given is that for which many years has been universally believed in Scotland to be the Tartan worn by our Scottish Sovereigns.
Sometimes it is woven with a small stripe of green, bisecting the broad red belt; but we know that this green stripe is a modern innovation, and therefore we exclude it having the best authority for doing so.' The green line version is probably Stewart of Rothesay at #848 and the Vestiarium entry at #846 (original Scottish Tartans Authority references).
Theoretically this cannot be used or worn without the express permission of Her Majesty the Queen. In practice however, this is the most popular tartan ever woven and can be seen on a huge range of products. 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 and it was reputed to have been worn by one of Bonnie Prince Charlie's followers in the 1745 rebellion. Early samples show blue as a light 'azure'.
The best known of all Scottish tartans, the Royal Stewart is the tartan of the Royal House of Stewart and the personal tartan of Her Majesty the Queen. In the same way that clansmen wear the tartan of their chief, it is appropriate for all subjects of the Queen to wear the Royal Stewart tartan.
Who Can Wear Royal Stewart Modern Tartan?
Universally recognised and now can be worn by anyone who has no clan Tartan, as detailed above.
SHOP all products in Royal Stewart Modern Tartan.