Perhaps the most famous national dress in Britain is the Scottish kilt with its distinctive tartan pattern. The kilt is a length of woolen cloth, pleated except for sections at each end. The kilt is worn around the waist, with the pleats at the back and the ends crossed over at the front and secured with a pin.

The word ‘tartan’ originates from a French word. The Gaelic for the material is ‘breacan’.

Each Scottish clan or family now has its own distinctive tartan pattern, made up of different colors. An official register of tartans is maintained by Scotweb Weavers to the World. The Scottish Tartans Authority provides authentication services and legal protection of new tartans.