The Most Popular Tartan in Scotland, Ranked

Choose the tartan you think is the most popular!

Author: Gregor Krambs
Updated on May 10, 2024 06:52
Selecting a tartan can be a delightful dilemma in Scotland, with each pattern embodying unique stories and affiliations. This choice is not only about aesthetic preference but also connects individuals to their heritage and local communities. By ranking the most popular tartans, one gains insight into prevailing trends and communal tastes that may influence personal selections or gifts. Through this dynamic environment of voting, users contribute to a living snapshot of tartan popularity. Each vote is a testament to personal preference and cultural pride, helping others make informed decisions. Engaging in this process enriches the user's understanding of tartan significance while actively shaping the current landscape of Scotland's celebrated patterns.

What Is the Most Popular Tartan in Scotland?

  1. 1
    51
    votes
    Royal Stewart Tartan
    MyNikki · CC BY-SA 4.0
    The Royal Stewart Tartan is the most popular tartan in Scotland as it is the tartan of the Royal House of Stewart and is worn by the Queen and other members of the royal family.
    The Royal Stewart Tartan is one of the most popular tartans in Scotland, known for its bold and vibrant red, green, and blue colors. It features a pattern of repeating lines and squares, creating a visually striking design.
    • Colors: Predominantly red, green, and blue.
    • Pattern: Repeating lines and squares.
    • Design: Bold and vibrant.
    • Origin: Scotland.
    • Popularity: It is one of the most popular tartans.
  2. 2
    18
    votes
    The Black Watch Tartan is a popular tartan in Scotland as it is the tartan of the Black Watch regiment, one of the most famous Scottish military units.
    The Black Watch Tartan, also known as the Government Tartan, is one of the most popular tartans in Scotland. It is recognized by its distinctive pattern consisting of dark blue and green intersecting lines. The tartan has a rich history, originally created as a military tartan for the Black Watch, the famous regiment of the British Army. Today, it is widely worn as a symbol of Scottish heritage and is associated with various clans and organizations.
    • Color: Dark blue and green
    • Pattern Type: Plaid
    • Pattern Style: Tartan
    • Traditional Usage: Military uniform
    • Associated Clan(s): Clan Campbell, Clan MacGregor, Clan Fraser, etc.
  3. 3
    23
    votes
    The Dress Gordon Tartan is a popular tartan in Scotland as it is the tartan of the Gordon clan, one of the largest and most powerful clans in Scotland.
    The Dress Gordon Tartan is a highly recognized tartan pattern that originates from Scotland. It features a vibrant combination of colors including green, navy blue, yellow, and white. The pattern consists of thick horizontal stripes intertwined with thin vertical lines, creating a distinctive and striking design.
    • Design: Horizontal stripes with thin vertical lines
    • Colors: Green, navy blue, yellow, and white
    • Origin: Scotland
    • Popularity: One of the most popular tartans in Scotland
    • Usage: Often worn for formal occasions and as part of traditional Scottish attire
  4. 4
    15
    votes
    The MacGregor Tartan is a popular tartan in Scotland as it is the tartan of the MacGregor clan, one of the oldest and most famous clans in Scotland.
    The MacGregor Tartan is an iconic plaid pattern that is associated with the MacGregor clan in Scotland. It features a combination of bold and vibrant colors, including a deep red or burgundy base, with black and forest green stripes. The design consists of thick and medium-width lines crossing over each other at right angles, forming a checkered pattern.
    • Colors: Red/burgundy, black, forest green
    • Pattern: Checkered
    • Line Widths: Thick and medium
    • Angled Lines: Crossing at right angles
    • Clan Association: MacGregor
  5. 5
    7
    votes

    MacKenzie Tartan

    The MacKenzie Clan
    The MacKenzie Tartan is a popular tartan in Scotland as it is the tartan of the MacKenzie clan, one of the largest and most powerful clans in Scotland.
    The MacKenzie Tartan is a traditional Scottish tartan that is widely recognized and one of the most popular tartans in Scotland. It features a combination of green, blue, black, and white. The tartan consists of intersecting horizontal and vertical lines, forming a checkered pattern.
    • Origin: Scotland
    • Colors: Green, blue, black, white
    • Pattern Type: Checkered
    • Dominant Color: Green
    • Secondary Colors: Blue, black, white
  6. 6
    17
    votes
    The Cameron Tartan is a popular tartan in Scotland as it is the tartan of the Cameron clan, one of the most famous and respected clans in Scotland.
    The Cameron Tartan is a popular tartan design in Scotland that is associated with the Clan Cameron. It features a rich combination of colors, including red, green, black, and yellow. The design consists of multiple horizontal and vertical stripes, creating a unique and distinguished pattern.
    • Colors: Red, green, black, and yellow
    • Stripes: Multiple horizontal and vertical stripes
    • Pattern: Distinctive and elegant
    • Associated Clan: Clan Cameron
    • Region: Highland Scotland
  7. 7
    11
    votes
    The Campbell Tartan is a popular tartan in Scotland as it is the tartan of the Campbell clan, one of the most powerful and influential clans in Scotland.
    The Campbell Tartan is one of the most iconic and recognizable tartans in Scotland. It belongs to the Clan Campbell, which is one of the largest and most powerful clans in Scotland. The tartan features a predominantly green and blue plaid pattern with thin lines of yellow and black. It is characterized by its vibrant and bold color combination.
    • Colors: Green, blue, yellow, black
    • Main pattern: Plaid
    • Dominant colors: Green, blue
    • Accent colors: Yellow, black
    • Clan association: Clan Campbell
  8. 8
    15
    votes
    The Robertson Tartan is a popular tartan in Scotland as it is the tartan of the Robertson clan, one of the oldest and most respected clans in Scotland.
    The Robertson Tartan is a classic and well-known tartan pattern in Scotland. It features a combination of red, green, and blue tones with black and white accents. The design consists of thick horizontal and vertical stripes intersecting to create an intricate checkered pattern.
    • Colors: Red, green, blue, black, white
    • Pattern Type: Checkered
    • Dominant Colors: Red, green
    • Secondary Colors: Blue, black, white
    • Main Stripe Width: Medium
  9. 9
    10
    votes
    The Douglas Tartan is a popular tartan in Scotland as it is the tartan of the Douglas clan, one of the most famous and influential clans in Scotland.
    The Douglas Tartan is a popular tartan pattern in Scotland that is associated with the Douglas clan. It features a combination of green, blue, black, and white in a plaid design. The pattern incorporates a large checkered square with smaller checkered squares within it, bordered by a pattern of lines and stripes.
    • Colors: Green, blue, black, and white
    • Pattern: Plaid with large and small checkered squares
    • Borders: Lines and stripes
    • Clan: Associated with the Douglas clan
    • Popularity: One of the most popular tartans in Scotland
  10. 10
    4
    votes
    The MacLeod Tartan is a popular tartan in Scotland as it is the tartan of the MacLeod clan, one of the most ancient and respected clans in Scotland.
    The MacLeod Tartan is a traditional Scottish tartan known for its striking yellow and black pattern. It is primarily associated with the MacLeod clan, one of the oldest and most renowned clans in Scotland. The tartan features a bold and distinctive design that consists of wide, horizontal stripes in alternating bands of vibrant yellow and deep black.
    • Colors: Yellow and black
    • Pattern: Horizontal stripes
    • Clan Association: MacLeod Clan
    • Clan Motto: Hold Fast
    • Origin: Scotland

Missing your favorite tartan?

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Discussion

Ranking factors for popular tartan

  1. Historical significance
    Tartans with a rich history and cultural significance tend to be more popular among Scots.
  2. Clan affiliation
    Tartans associated with a particular Scottish clan or family are often more popular among people who have a connection to that clan or family.
  3. Geographic area
    Certain tartans are more popular in specific areas of Scotland, depending on their historical associations and cultural significance.
  4. Fashion trends
    Modern tartans that are designed for the fashion industry may be popular, particularly among younger people who are interested in contemporary style.
  5. Personal preference
    Ultimately, popularity can be a subjective matter and can depend on individual preferences and tastes.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most popular tartan in Scotland. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or tartan is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

  • 1412 views
  • 169 votes
  • 10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each tartan once every 24 hours. The rank of each tartan is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

Categories

More information on most popular tartan in scotland

Scotland is known for its rich cultural heritage, and one of the most iconic symbols of Scottish tradition is the tartan. A tartan is a pattern made up of crisscrossing horizontal and vertical lines of different colors, and each tartan design is unique to a specific Scottish family or clan. The history of tartan dates back centuries, with some theories suggesting that the first tartans were worn by the ancient Celts. However, it wasn't until the 18th century that tartan became widely popular in Scotland, thanks in part to the efforts of the Highland Society of London. In the 19th century, tartan became even more widely recognized as a symbol of Scottish identity, and it is now a cherished part of Scottish culture. Today, there are thousands of different tartan designs, each with its own unique color scheme and pattern. However, when it comes to the most popular tartan in Scotland, there are a few contenders. Some of the most well-known tartans include the Royal Stewart tartan (which is often associated with the Royal Family), the Black Watch tartan (which is associated with the military), and the Clan MacGregor tartan (which is associated with the MacGregor clan). Ultimately, the most popular tartan in Scotland may be a matter of personal preference, but there's no denying the enduring popularity and significance of tartan in Scottish culture.

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