Tartan was used by the Unionists in the central belt to Scottify themselves and try and bring the Highlanders onside after the Act of Union. Sir Walter Scott promoted tartan and Highlanders as being Scottish culture when 50-100 years previous if you were caught wearing tartan you would probably have been lashed and been seen as thief or worse.
Darth_Scotsman t1_jduyz61 wrote
Reply to comment by Blabulus in Oldest tartan found to date back to 16th Century - A scrap of fabric found in a Highland peat bog 40 years ago is likely to be the oldest tartan ever discovered in Scotland, new tests have established. by ArtOak
Tartan was used by the Unionists in the central belt to Scottify themselves and try and bring the Highlanders onside after the Act of Union. Sir Walter Scott promoted tartan and Highlanders as being Scottish culture when 50-100 years previous if you were caught wearing tartan you would probably have been lashed and been seen as thief or worse.