How to choose a Scottish Tartan?
The Scots are known across the world as one of the friendliest nations. Our friends at home and abroad often ask us to help them find out what tartan kilt they should be wearing and want to find out more about their Scottish Heritage.
Each Scottish Clan or family name has its own tartan, Clan crest and Clan motto. In the past, official Clan tartans were governed by the Clan Chief with final approval being made in the Court of the Lord Lyon of Arms which governed Scottish heraldry.
Finding out what tartan and clan you belong to could not be simpler. Houston Kiltmakers have 2 easy ways to help you find the right tartan for your Scottish kilt.
Houston’s Kilt Tartan Finder
- Just enter the name of the clan, tartan, or plaid you wish to view into Houston’s Tartan Finder to learn more about your Scottish roots.
- You can easily browse Houston’s range of tartans by surname. Just type in your surname and we will search our tartan database that includes EVERY Scottish tartan in the world to come up with a match.
Don’t worry if your surname does not come up with a specific clan or tartan. There are lots of tartans that anyone can wear, you don’t even have to be Scottish! Our owner Ken MacDonald also took inspiration from the Isle of Bute and designed an EXCLUSIVE Houston’s Bute Heather Collection that looks very modern and is perfect for a contemporary Scottish Wedding. Don’t forget you can post any kilt kilt pictures on our Facebook Page, tag yourself and share the love of all things Scottish!
Nice to read your blog
looking to know the tartan for my family which is McCloy they come from Hamilton , Larkinshire? Scotland
Hi Brenda,
If you use the tartan finder on our website you can see the Sept matches that come up (Septs are associated Family/Clan groups).
http://www.kiltmakers.com/tartan/search?name=McCloy
Also Lanarkshire is part of Strathclyde, there is a district Tartan for that:
http://www.kiltmakers.com/tartan/search?name=lanark
Hope this helps, if you need any more info don’t hesitate to ask!
Wated to see what the McCloy Tarten looked like.My fathers remaining sister died who lived in Glasgow
Hi there,
While there is no McCloy tartan, McCloy is a Sept of MacLeod and Stuart of Bute (Septs are surnames that, while not having their own clan, are associated with a clan.)
You can see these tartans here: http://www.kiltmakers.com/tartan/search?name=MacLeod
http://www.kiltmakers.com/tartan/search?name=Stuart+Of+Bute
I hope this helps, if you need any more information please don’t hesitate to contact us.
Thanks!