Tartan patterns have a rich and interesting history, tracing back to the 16th century and unique to specific regions of Scotland. The Scottish tradition of wearing tartans became widespread in the 18th century, when clan warriors would choose a specific pattern to display loyalty to their leader. This practice was even evident during the Seven Years War in Canada (1756-63), where entire regiments sported their own tartans.

In the 19th century, Sir Walter Scott's romanticized tales of Highlanders sparked a fascination with Scottish culture and tartans, leading to the revival of wearing these unique patterns. This trend continued throughout the 20th century, with tartan becoming a symbol of Scottish identity and appearing on various items such as clothing, biscuit tins, and trinkets. Today, the tartan tradition has spread beyond Celtic countries, with over 2,700 known and registered setts in circulation, many of which are featured in this book.

Explore over 250 setts with this book, the ultimate guide to the traditional tartans of Scotland and Ireland, as well as modern tartans used by various societies and areas worldwide. Discover and learn about our Celtic heritage with this comprehensive and visually appealing resource.

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