The Real Story of Scottish Tartan

The history of Scottish tartan is one of erasure and appropriation by the British government. This fabric is actually ancient, and before the British, never really had to do with "clans" at all!

[miffedmax]

As a Scot, this is the reason I like the punk appropriation of tartan. Because it's taking back what tartan should represent, which is the working class and not an elitist institution. I'd rather tartan was associated with rebellion than oppression.

[hapitoons]

Thank you for this amazing history lesson

[terrykeever]

You make it sound like the high ranking officers were recruited by Jacobites. It was the clan chiefs who controlled where and when the clan members fought. This short video can't come close to explaining the Jocobite uprisings and the aftermath. The early part of the video did explain where the oldest tartan was found. There is also a mosaic of a slave being brought to Rome wearing tartan. Anyone wishing to know the history of tartan and especially of Scottish tartans and kilts can find more inclusive info. I recommend USA Kilts and Culture and Scotland History Tours.

[therat]

First off, I greatly appreciate this video, as I appreciate anyone dispelling myths about us as Celtic peoples due to Celtophobia or misguided fetishism. But I also have a criticism.

There is absolutely no connection between the Cherchen man and Iron Age or modern Celtic peoples. Just because he was also wearing colourful stripy fabric does not mean anything. The dye patterns the Tarim basin mummies are wearing are most closely related to nearby fabric patterns in Transoxiana, which was a heavily populated area. I tend to go a little hard on this point because the idea of a Tarim mummy-Celtic connection is often used by national-supremacists to justify their racism.

But to end on a fun note, tartan-style patterns are really common among traditional Welsh and Irish clothing too! There are a lot of early photographs of Welsh women bedecked in colourful checkered and striped patterns.

[JXPITER]

I’m Scottish and the fact your doing this as an American is kind of weird, never heard an American say tartan haha

[malcolmmccaleb]

My family is associated, with the Mckillop clan.

[straycat]

Though plaid is quite old, tartan is not. Tartan as we know it and understand it is Scottish. And though its origins in meaning in history are rather dubious centered around two brothers, the Sobieski Stewart’s, the tradition that has come from it is no less valid than had the legitimacy of the Soviets Stewart’s been legitimate.

So where plaid is old and has been around for a long time, representations of it existing from Rome where Celtic slaves were shown wearing plaid trousers And the Chinese example as well as others around the world, tartan has become universally associated with Scotland, Highland culture and now modern Celtic culture. Clan and family association with Tartan may not have been with many were taught, but for about 200 years now we’ve rolled with it. Scotland made out of create it, but it perfected it!

[travishaynes]

Is that King George the 4th in the painting ? It looks like Noddy Holder !! He's probably descended from George the 4th !! 😂