About The Tartan Ledger

You come here if you need to understand Highland dress before you buy, hire or wear it. The Tartan Ledger on kiltsdirect.com explains each part in plain terms so you can compare options and ask clear questions.

What you find here

You find three sections. Tartans and the Register explains the Scottish Register of Tartans, clan tartans and what a threadcount is. Kilts and Fitting explains kilt types and fabrics and how to measure. Accessories and Care explains sporrans and accessories, care and hire.

• threadcounts, sett patterns and register records, so you can read a tartan entry
• kilt construction, cloth weight, length and waist measurement, so you can check fit
• sporran types, hose, flashes, jackets and brogues, plus storage, cleaning and hire steps

How the articles are written

The editorial team of The Tartan Ledger writes each article from public sources. You see the sources named in each article. The team describes each organisation in the third person. It states limits where records are incomplete or where practice varies by maker. You get method notes and source lists rather than personal views.

Who this site helps

You may be buying your own kilt, planning dress for a wedding party, or tracing family links from the diaspora. You can use the guides at home or in a shop or hire room. You will find no shop, no prices and no brand advice here, only terms, steps and checks you can apply.

If you know your measurements, you can read how to take them again and record them. If you know your clan name, you can learn how tartan links are recorded and where gaps remain. If you plan hire wear, you can learn what to check at fitting and return.

You can contact the team if you spot an error or if you hold a public source that adds detail.