Black Isle
- Type: Jura II
- SKU: JR060T
- Weight: 16oz
The Black Isle Tartan, associated with the Black Isle peninsula in the Scottish Highlands, features a dark green base with blue and black stripes. Despite its name, the Black Isle is not an island but a picturesque peninsula between Ross and Cromarty, north of Inverness. This area, accessible via the Kessock Bridge, includes charming towns like Fortrose and Cromarty and is known for its stunning views, fertile farmland, and diverse wildlife.
The Black Isle boasts a rich history with castles, cairns, cathedrals, and museums. The Scots Pine thrives here, adding to the region's natural beauty. The tartan itself is a heavyweight fabric, perfect for men’s kilts, made from pure new wool and predominantly black, making it a bold choice.
Linked to the Munro clan, one of the most powerful in the Scottish Highlands, the Black Isle Tartan was designed by tartan expert William J. Watson in the early 1900s. The design reflects the area's natural beauty, with green symbolizing fertile land and blue and black representing the sea and hills. The Munro clan, known for their military prowess and loyalty to the Scottish crown, has a motto of "Dread God" and a crest featuring a falcon.
A History of Tartan & Traditions
Once upon a time, in the misty highlands of Scotland, there existed a tradition as rich and colourful as the land itself - the tradition of tartan. Its origins, like the swirling patterns of its design, are woven with threads of history, culture, and heritage.
Long ago, in the rugged terrain of Scotland, clans roamed the land, each with its own identity, allegiance, and pride. To distinguish themselves, they adopted a unique pattern of woven cloth, which became known as tartan. Originally crafted from the natural dyes of the Highlands, tartan bore the hues of heather, moss, and sky, mirroring the rugged beauty of Scotland's landscapes. As clans gathered for feasts and festivities, the tartan became a symbol of unity and belonging. It draped proudly over broad shoulders and fluttered in the wind as clansmen strode through the glens. Each pattern told a story - of battles fought, alliances forged, and the bonds of kinship that held the clans together.
Through centuries of turmoil and triumph, tartan remained a steadfast emblem of Scottish identity. It adorned warriors in battle, graced the halls of nobility, and warmed the hearts of families gathered by the hearth. Even in times of hardship, when kilts were banned and tartan outlawed, its spirit endured, whispered in secret and preserved in memory. Today, the legacy of tartan lives on, celebrated by Scots around the world and cherished by all who admire its beauty and tradition. At Kilts 4 U, we honour this heritage, weaving the threads of the past into the fabric of the present. From traditional clan tartans to modern interpretations, our kilts and trews carry on the legacy of Scotland's most iconic symbol.
So let us raise a glass to tartan - a timeless tribute to the spirit of Scotland, woven into the very fabric of our history and our hearts.
