Musings - The Great Scot Blog

When it comes to the world of tartans, it’s easy to get caught up in a swirl of plaid patterns, rich heritage, and brand prestige. But one question that often comes up among tartan aficionados and fashionistas alike is: What’s the difference between the classic Burberry Check and the Thompson Camel Tartan? Spoiler alert: they may look like twins at first glance, but these two iconic designs are as different as a kilt and a trench coat. 

 

So, let’s get into it and break down the differences with style and a dash of tartan trivia.

1. Sett Pattern: Simplicity vs. Tradition

Imagine the Burberry Check as the minimalist city slicker of the tartan world. It features a smooth, straightforward beige background with crisp black, white, and a pop of red lines. This pattern is deliberately symmetrical and simple, making it the perfect backdrop for a runway debut or a London street scene.

Now, the Thompson Camel Tartan? Well, this one’s a classic, and not just in the “this is vintage” sense. Its pattern is far more intricate, with a crisscrossing effect of black and white lines. It’s got that quintessential Scottish charm, designed to be worn with pride (preferably on a misty Highland moor). While the Burberry Check likes to keep things minimal, the Thomson Camel Tartan embodies the heart and complexity of traditional Scottish craftsmanship.

2. Colour Scheme: The Battle of the Beige

Both tartans sport a warm camel or beige background, which may explain the confusion. But while the Burberry Check uses the simplicity of black and white lines to frame a statement-making red stripe, the Thomson Camel Tartan keeps things a bit more down-to-earth with its classic combination of black and white, sans any daring red accents.

That crimson line in the Burberry Check is more than just a design choice; it’s a signature feature that gives the pattern its unmistakable brand identity. The Thomson Camel Tartan, meanwhile, lets the camel, black, and white speak for themselves—rich, elegant, and rooted in Scottish tradition.

3. Origin and Purpose: Clan Pride vs. Catwalk Cred

Here’s where it gets really interesting: The Thompson Camel Tartan is a piece of Scottish heritage. It’s a traditional tartan tied to the Thompson clan and follows the time-honoured conventions of Scottish tartan design. It carries a sense of pride, ancestry, and history—like an heirloom that tells stories of yesteryear.

On the flip side, the Burberry Check has an entirely different pedigree. Designed as a lining for trench coats in the early 20th century, it’s become a global fashion icon. More than a pattern, the Burberry Check is a badge of luxury, instantly recognizable on scarves, handbags, and, yes, those signature trench coats. It’s not about clan loyalty but brand loyalty.

4. Cultural Significance: Legacy vs. Luxury

The Thompson Camel Tartan carries a cultural weight that can’t be denied. It’s a nod to the deep roots of Scottish heritage, to the clans and the highland traditions that tartan patterns embody.

 

The Burberry Check, however, represents a different kind of prestige. It’s a global symbol of luxury fashion. When you see that beige-and-black pattern with the iconic red stripe, you think of high-end runways, British elegance, and the legacy of Burberry as a trendsetter in the fashion industry. It’s more about catwalks and red carpets than Highland gatherings.

 

In Conclusion: Same Beige, Different Story

So there you have it! While the Burberry Check and the Thompson Camel Tartan may share a similar camel-coloured canvas, their purposes, patterns, and cultural meanings couldn’t be more different. One is a fashion powerhouse, a minimalistic yet striking badge of luxury. The other is a heartfelt homage to Scottish tradition, embodying the craftsmanship and pride of generations.

 SHOP THOMPSON CAMEL TARTAN

Whether you’re dressing up for a London fashion week or a traditional Scottish gathering, knowing the story behind your tartan makes wearing it all the more meaningful—and stylish. After all, it’s not just about the colours or the pattern; it’s about the story you’re draped in. So, next time someone points to your plaid and asks, “Is that Burberry or Thompson?” you’ll be ready to share the facts!

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In the great ancestry game, you will learn quickly that your surname is only the tip of the genetic iceberg. Here are 10 simple but interesting facts which will introduce you to the world of heraldry in Scotland.

1. Consider this. If your genuinely MacDonald forebear had found himself isolated in the heart of Campbell country 10 generations ago, had married Jean Campbell, and seen his sons and grandsons married to Campbell girls, you could find yourself today with a great many Campbell ancestors, all of whom were named Campbell - except you. So, don't assume an association to just one clan - or that you don't belong to a clan at all. Read this blog if you want to learn more. 
2. The science of heraldry evolved from the 12th century as a system of identification. Painted on their shields and banners, Clans could be recognised at war. The same device was repeated on the shirt and worn over the armour hence the term 'Coat of Arms'.
3. By custom of the Law of Arms, members of the Clan like other dependers  of the chief or noble group, enjoy the privilege of displaying the chiefs livery, but in a particularly Scoto-Highland form namely, the chiefs crest, motto with a strap and buckle.  
4. Prefixed to each Clan crest is (almost invariably) an evergreen plant, the Clan's war cry, generally the name of the prominent mountain in the Clan district or a motto associated with some gallant deed which shed lustre on the Clan. Often these plants are 'shared' by many Clans.
5. These elements are heraldic property and protected by law in Scotland.
6. A person does not need to be a member of a Clan society to be able to wear a belted crest badge. Any Clan member has a right to it, not just Clan societies and Clan society members although there are guidelines which you might adhere to, if you wish to avoid a faux pas.
7. Today many people who do not bear a clan surname do wear crest badges of their mother's Clan.
8. Anyone who offers their allegiance to a Clan chief is considered a member of a Clan (unless the chief decides to refuse that person's allegiance).
9. Clan membership goes with the surname and sept.
10. It is an honour to bear arms and anyone entitled to do so should be proud to use their heraldry in any situation in which it can discreetly and tastefully ornament and identify their allegiance.