Hump Day History

 This is the Glen Affric tartan, the oldest in the world.

While older cloths have been discovered in Scotland, this is the first to show a distinctive tartan pattern with multiple crossing lines of different yarns.

It was discovered 40 years ago in a peat bog, and it dates back from 1500-1600, around the reign of Mary, Queen of Scots.

Plaid patterns are traditionally designed and woven in Scotland and have been used for centuries by Scottish clans as a badge of identity.

Traditionally made from wool, the cloth was favored as everyday wear for Highlanders, the largely Gaelic-speaking clans of the north.  By the mid-18th century, the print became a symbol of allegiance to Charles Edward Stuart, or Bonnie Prince Charlie, who led an army of tartan-wearing rebels known as Jacobites into England in 1745.  It was a last attempt to topple (Protestant) King George II and restore the Catholic House of Stuart.

After their defeat, their traditional clothing was banned - from kilts to tartan tights and coats.  It was repealed in 1782.

In 1822, King George IV tried to show unity by wearing full Highland garb during the Crown's first visit to Scotland since the clashes.  Many criticized it as "tartanry," or dressing up in an excessive way.

Queen Victoria would later purchase Balmoral Castle, decorated in wall-to-wall tartan.

Per the Scottish Register of Tartans, this is Balmoral original.