The history of tartan is as old as the Scots themselves, and it remains today as a potent symbol of national identity. The distinctive patterns of individual tartans evolved as a means of identifying with district, regiment or family, but today people of Scots descent worldwide, and visitors to Scotland alike, regard tartan as a means through which they can express association with the culture of our country.

Originally the colours in the design of a tartan would have come from natural local sources, and thus indicated the 'district' of the wearer rather than their family name. In due course 'corporate' tartans were introduced to include associations and institutions.

'Although individual tartans have become synonymous with Scotland and Scottish clans and families in particular, they were originally a style of cloth which was intended to be decorative. They had patterns that were popular within certain districts where they were woven, and relied upon a limited number of colour dyes. This led to the idea of 'district tartans': being the original association between the land, the community and its cloth. Where there was a strong clan within a district, then visitors from other areas might well have been recognised as of a clan from their tartans'

'The origin of tartan was probably one of association with a region. Early travellers tell us that a person's place of origin could be told from his tartan rather than his name. This stood to reason, since in early times, most people did not use family names.
Therefore the concept of 'district tartan is older than that of clans. Today individuals should take pride in the district tartan associated with their family or alternatively an area of Scotland which they have visited and enjoyed.'

'It has been suggested that anyone not bearing a clan surname or that of any clan sept, may adopt the tartan of their mother's clan or sept, should she possess a clan surname or that of a sept. The more correct course is to wear a 'district tartan if any suitable one exists.'

In truth much of the origin of tartan is unrecorded, and much of what has been handed down to us today has evolved by legend, custom and word-of-mouth. What is certain however, is that tartan is perceived as an icon of 'Scottishness' i.e. of Scotland, but not exclusive to Scots.

And so, just as that other great icon of Scottishness - Scotch Whisky - is enjoyed by millions of people throughout the world, then tartan too should be regarded as something that should be universally available.