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About Us
International Tartans is an independent design company and retailer based in Edinburgh, which specialises in the design of tartan and tartan products. Here at International Tartans we believe that tartan, whether in the form of clothing, or as a product, should be made available to anyone who wishes it, regardless of nationality, in much the same way as Scotch Whisky.

Some may well disagree, but what after all, makes a person Scottish? Is it someone who is born in Scotland, someone with Scottish ancestors, or someone who has taken up residence in Scotland. Clearly all three categories qualify to a greater or lesser degree, but here at International Tartans we believe that ‘scottishness’ is as much a state of mind, and should include all people who simply wish to participate in or enjoy our culture, in much the same way as the Scottish diaspora have, for centuries, participated in and contributed to the culture of countries throughout the world.

However, since tartan is recognised worldwide as a symbol of Scotland, we believe that Scots should regard themselves as the custodians of this unique form of cloth, and should see that its design and manufacture is controlled in Scotland and for the benefit of  Scotland, in the same way as our whisky.

Despite its long historical association with a warrior race the use of tartan has evolved since Sir Walter Scott and the Antiquarians organised the celebrations for the visit of George IV to Scotland in 1822. Endorsed by Queen Victoria and her love of all things Scottish, tartan today is associated with ceremony, fashion, music, dancing, sport and a host of festivities worldwide: all of them Scottish in origin, but encouraging people of all clans, all races and all nations to come together.

David McGill is a chartered architect and designer who trained at both Edinburgh College of Art and Glasgow School of Art. A writer and broadcaster, he has travelled expensively representing Scotland at international sport.
 

Tartan Facts & Snippets

The oldest tartan is the Falkirk tartan, which dates to around AD245 and was discovered in a jar of coins near Falkirk.