Tartan's Triumphant Return: Why the World's Top Fashion Houses Are Embracing Scotland's Heritage Fabric

The Tartan Renaissance: From Scottish Highlands to Global Runways

Tartan has never been more relevant. Once confined to traditional Scottish dress and heritage occasions, this iconic woven fabric is now commanding attention on the world's most prestigious fashion runways. From Burberry's FW25 collection under Daniel Lee to bold tartan statements across London and Milan Fashion Weeks, designers are rediscovering what Scotland has known for centuries: tartan is timeless, versatile, and utterly captivating.

At Great Scot, we've witnessed this renaissance firsthand. As Scotland's second-largest buyer of traditional woven tartans and tweeds, and specialists in bespoke tartan design and registration, we're proud to bridge the gap between Scotland's historic family mills and a global audience hungry for authentic, heritage-rich textiles.

Tartan Takes Over FW25: Four Runway Moments That Define the Season

Burberry FW25: Daniel Lee's Heritage Masterclass

Daniel Lee's vision for Burberry FW25 brought tartan back to its roots—quite literally. A standout look featured a classic red tartan skirt paired with a cosy sweater and headscarf, embodying both tradition and contemporary styling. Burberry's relationship with tartan runs deep, and this collection reminded the fashion world why the pattern remains synonymous with British heritage and luxury.

London Fashion Week FW25: Bold Pattern Mixing

London's FW25 shows celebrated tartan's versatility through mixed tartan and plaid combinations—red, black, and contrasting checks layered in outerwear, skirts, and accessories. Multiple designers showcased how tartan can be both statement-making and sophisticated, proving its adaptability across silhouettes and styles.

Milan Fashion Week FW25: Subtle Checks in Tailoring

Milan brought a refined approach, incorporating checked fabrics and tweed textures into sharp tailoring. These subtle windowpane checks and woven patterns added depth and heritage to structured coats and suits, demonstrating tartan's ability to elevate even the most minimalist wardrobe.

Milan FW25 Recap: Architectural Tartan

Structural lines and layered tailoring dominated Milan's tartan narrative, with designers using subtle checks and plaids to create architectural silhouettes. This approach showcased tartan as a fabric of substance, one that brings both visual interest and craftsmanship to modern design.

Why Tartan? The Fabric That Transcends Trends

Tartan's enduring appeal lies in its rich history, intricate craftsmanship, and remarkable versatility. Here's why the world's top fashion houses continue to return to this Scottish heritage fabric:

Heritage Meets Modernity

Tartan carries centuries of Scottish history, yet it adapts effortlessly to contemporary design. Whether it's a traditional clan tartan or a bespoke creation, the fabric tells a story while remaining utterly current.

Infinite Design Possibilities

With countless colour combinations, sett patterns, and weaving techniques, no two tartans are identical. This uniqueness appeals to designers seeking originality and brands wanting to create signature patterns.

Craftsmanship You Can See

Authentic tartan is woven traditionally by master weavers using time-honoured methods and machinery. The quality, texture, and depth of colour achieved through traditional weaving simply cannot be replicated by modern mass-production techniques.

Sustainability & Ethical Production

In an era where fashion is reckoning with its environmental impact, tartan represents slow fashion at its finest. Our family-owned Scottish mills have operated for generations, prioritising quality, longevity, and ethical production over fast turnover.

Great Scot: Your Partner in Bespoke Tartan Design & Registration

While fashion houses showcase tartan on runways, Great Scot makes it accessible to everyone—from charities and organisations to families and businesses seeking their own unique tartan.

Our Bespoke Tartan Services

Custom Tartan Design

Our collaborative design process brings your vision to life. Whether you're inspired by family heritage, brand colours, or a meaningful cause, we guide you through every step, from initial concept to final woven fabric.

• Expert Guidance: 30+ years of industry experience
• Rapid Turnaround: Design completed in as little as one week
• 100% Approval Rate: All our custom tartans achieve first-time registration success

Official Tartan Registration

We handle the entire registration process with the Scottish Register of Tartans, ensuring your design becomes part of Scotland's official heritage. Our perfect track record speaks to our expertise and attention to detail.

Authentic Scottish Weaving

Every tartan we create is woven traditionally by Scotland's historic family mills. These master weavers use traditional methods and machinery passed down through generations, ensuring authenticity and exceptional quality.

Product Creation & Global Distribution

Beyond design and registration, we support you in bringing your tartan to life—whether as fabric by the metre, traditional Scottish clothing, accessories, or custom products. We handle production and ship worldwide.

Our Charity Tartan Success Stories

Great Scot has created custom tartans for meaningful causes, each telling a unique story through colour and pattern:

Ukraine Forever Tartan

Combining Ukraine's flag colours with Scotland's saltire, this tartan symbolises solidarity and hope.

 

Pink Ribbon Tartan

Multiple pink shades woven together to raise breast cancer awareness and support research.

Maggie's Tartan

Created for Maggie's Cancer Trust, with 10% of sales supporting free cancer care services across the UK.

These projects demonstrate tartan's power to unite heritage with purpose, creating lasting symbols that generate both awareness and revenue for important causes.

Why Choose Great Scot for Your Tartan Needs?

Exclusive Mill Partnerships

We work exclusively with family-owned Scottish mills, each with unique specialisms and generations of weaving expertise.

Authentic Scottish Heritage

As Scotland's second-biggest buyer of traditional woven tartans and tweeds, we're deeply embedded in the textile heritage we help preserve.

Ethical & Sustainable

We prioritise slow fashion, ethical production, and supporting rural Scottish weaving communities over commercial shortcuts.

Quality at Every Stage

From dyeing to weaving to finishing, we conduct quality checks at every production stage across all our mill partners.

Global Reach, Scottish Roots

Our digital platform connects clients worldwide to rural Scottish mills, expanding markets while preserving tradition.

Tartan for Every Occasion: Our Product Range

Traditional Clan Tartans

Explore authentic clan tartans woven to historical accuracy, including our best-selling designs:

• Royal Stewart
• Isle of Skye
• Buchanan Blue
• Black Watch
• plus 3,000 more.

Bespoke Tartan Design

Create your own unique tartan for:

• Family heritage
• Corporate branding
• Charity initiatives
• Special events
• Wedding celebrations

Traditional Scottish Clothing

From regimental standard kilts, unique couture to scarves, we offer ethically-made traditional Scottish garments in authentic tartans.

Fabric by the Metre

Purchase tartan fabric for your own creative projects, fashion lines, or interior design.

The Great Scot Difference: Tradition Meets Innovation

While tartan graces the world's runways, we remain rooted in the Scottish Highlands, working with the master weavers who keep this craft alive. Our commitment goes beyond business; we're preserving Scotland's textile heritage, supporting rural communities, and ensuring traditional weaving skills pass to the next generation.

When you choose Great Scot, you're not just buying tartan. You're investing in:

• Authentic Scottish craftsmanship
• Sustainable, ethical production
• Centuries of weaving heritage
• Support for rural Scottish communities
• A fabric with a story to tell

Ready to Create Your Own Tartan Legacy?

Whether you're inspired by Burberry's runway or seeking to create a tartan that tells your unique story, Great Scot is here to guide you.

Start Your Bespoke Tartan Journey Today

Contact us: answers@greatscotscotland.com
Visit: greatscotscotland.com
Location: Scottish Highlands, Scotland

From concept to registration to weaving, we handle every detail with the expertise and care that only 30+ years in the industry can provide.

Tartan Is Everywhere - And It's Here to Stay

As FW25 proves, tartan isn't a trend, it's a textile with staying power. From Daniel Lee's Burberry to Milan's architectural tailoring, designers worldwide are rediscovering what Scotland has always known: tartan is versatile, timeless, and utterly captivating.

At Great Scot, we're honoured to be part of tartan's story—past, present, and future. Whether you're a fashion house seeking authentic Scottish fabric, a charity wanting a meaningful symbol, or a family celebrating your heritage, we're here to weave your vision into reality.

Discover authentic Scottish tartan. Create your bespoke design. Preserve heritage for generations.

 

---

 

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!

Shrouded in mystery and magic. Learn more about the Fairy Flag of Dunvegan Castle.

Read more

Clan Stewart's rich history is a tapestry of royal lineage, political intrigue, and cultural impact, making it one of Scotland's most captivating clans. Their contributions to Scottish heritage and their enduring legacy continue to be celebrated around the world. Here are 10 fascinating facts...

Read more

It isn’t only for Scots or people with Scottish ancestors. It is an old Highland tradition to encourage our guests to wear our unique mode of dress and it should be seen as a great compliment.

Read more