Scotland’s oldest known tartan has been brought back to life. Discovered in a peaty bog in the 1980s, the remains of this fabric have been recreated into a tartan that can now be enjoyed by highlandwear lovers across the world.
Named after Glen Affric in the Scottish Highlands where it was found, research has proven that the piece of tartan dates back as far as the 16th century. This places the tartan as being created during the reign of James V, Mary Queen of Scots or James VI and predating clan tartans which were popularised in the early 19th century. The fabric underwent rigorous testing to determine its age and composition. Four different coloured dyes were detected, green, brown, red and yellow. These pigments would have been created using natural resources available to highlanders at the time, such as plants, roots and berries.
Glen Affric has been classified as Scotland’s oldest tartan due to the presence of multiple colours and several stripes of different sizes. It is these characteristics which distinguish a tartan from other patterns and make Glen Affric the oldest recognised tartan, as opposed to the Falkirk tartan which is more of a check design.
The scrap of tartan was first on display at the V&A Dundee Tartan exhibition from April 2023 to January 2024. Following the analysis of the fabric and the interest surrounding the display, researchers and designers worked together to create a modern version of this ancient pattern. The tones and sett were reworked to appeal to the modern tartan wearer, while still paying homage to the original fabric.
The Glen Affric tartan is now available to purchase on our website as part of the Glen 1783 range. This collection of 29 tartans celebrates the history and tradition of tartan with a modern twist. Take one of these new designs for a spin as a kilt, trews or any of our tartan accessories. Book an appointment in-store to browse our tartan books and speak with our expert stylists.