Using tartan ribbon to accessorise your sashes and rosettes is an excellent way to infuse your awards with a touch of traditional Scottish elegance. Tartan ribbon adds depth and richness to the overall look, making the color palette more vibrant and intricate.
Tartan is a pattern that features interlocking horizontal and vertical stripes and has been in use worldwide since 3000 BC. Tartan cloth gained particular cultural significance in the seventeenth century when it became associated with Scottish Highland clans through the development of tartan lore. Today, tartan can be used for any purpose, but in Scotland, specific combinations of pattern and color still hold special meaning and represent families, towns, districts, corporations, individuals, events, and more.
Black Watch tartan was initially named after the uniform worn by the Watch, whose job was to maintain peace in the Scottish Highlands in 1725, ten years after the Jacobite Rebellion. The pattern and colors were inspired by a mix of clans in the Watch. For over 270 years, Black Watch tartan was worn by Scottish soldiers and symbolized loyalty, courage, and sacrifice.
Royal Stewart tartan is linked to the royal House of Stewart and was Queen Elizabeth II’s personal tartan. Historically, Royal Stewart tartan was worn by members who participated in a patrol leader training course, but now it is a universal tartan for Royal subjects without clans. The Royal Stewart tartan design can be spotted on a variety of items that demand a regal touch, such as Scottish shortbread biscuit tins and more.
To make your awards stand out as memorable and traditional, consider adding beautiful time-honored tartan ribbon to your sashes and rosettes. Please note that tartan ribbon cannot be applied to our RK (knife pleated) rosettes. Contact us for more information.