This is everything Matheson tartan: from a full Highland outfit to a single scarf or a length of cloth, woven in the Matheson sett and dispatched worldwide.
Colourways describe the dye, not the age: Modern is vivid, Ancient is mellow, Weathered is muted and Dress is the brighter formal version. All are available for Matheson tartan.
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Custom Matheson Orders & Delivery
Orders are produced to measure and dispatched globally. For weddings, gatherings or band orders in Matheson tartan, get in touch for group pricing and timing.
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Matheson Kilts, Jackets & Full Outfits
From single kilts to complete wedding-party outfits, the Matheson tartan is tailored to measure and finished to a high standard, with off-the-peg options for faster delivery.
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Matheson Tartan Scarves, Ties & Gifts
Complete the look or treat someone with Matheson tartan accessories — scarves, ties, sashes, flashes and ribbon are all available.
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Matheson Tartan Fabric for Makers
Matheson tartan material is available by the metre in several weights. Order a swatch to confirm the shade, then buy the length you need for your own project.
Clan Motto
Fac Et Spera (Do and Hope)
Heritage & Identity
Who Wears Matheson Tartan Tartan?
Worn by Matheson descendants worldwide, sept families including MacMahon, Masterson, and Mathieson bearers, Highland regiment veterans, and Scottish heritage enthusiasts across America, Canada, and Britain.
Associated Names
MacMahon
MacMathon
Masterson
Mathieson
Mathewson
MacMath
Mahon
Mathie
Mathew
Matthew
Mac Mhathain
Matheson of Lochalsh
Matheson of Shinness
Matheson of the Lews
Military Heritage
Associated Regiments
Matheson warriors served with legendary courage in Highland Light Infantry regiments, Seaforth Highlanders, and colonial forces, earning battle honors from Culloden to the Northwest Frontier and Canadian campaigns.
Seaforth Highlanders (Scotland)
Highland Light Infantry (Scotland)
Black Watch (Scotland)
Cameron Highlanders (Scotland)
Canadian Scottish Regiment (Canada)
Nova Scotia Highlanders (Canada)
Shop Matheson Tartan Products
Discover authentic Matheson clan heritage including traditional Highland kilts, clan crest accessories, tartan plaids, ceremonial dirks, and Celtic jewelry crafted for descendants across North America and Scotland.
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Matheson Tartan Tartans
0 Variations
Each tartan can feature several variations, with the most common being Ancient, Modern, Weathered, Hunting and Dress.
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Ancient Tartan
Before 1860, all fabric dyes came from nature — plants, berries, bark, and insects. The colours they produced were softer and more muted than what we're used to today: think mossy greens, dusty sky blues, and reds with a warm, orangey tone. A lot of people actually prefer Ancient tartans for this reason — the gentler contrasts let the pattern breathe and stand out in a way that bolder colours sometimes don't. Worth knowing: the pattern itself, called the sett, is exactly the same across all variations of a tartan. It's only the colours that change.
Modern Tartan
Modern tartans came about after 1860, when chemical dyes replaced natural ones. The difference is pretty striking. Those soft, earthy greens became deep bottle green. Pale blues turned into rich navy. Reds went from warm and muted to full-on scarlet. If you're after something bold and vivid, Modern is usually the one to go for. It's the version most people picture when they think of a classic tartan.
Weathered Tartan
Weathered tartans take their inspiration from what happens to fabric left out in the elements — faded by sun, softened by rain, worn in by time. The colours shift towards olive greens, warm browns, and very pale blues, with reds that fade down to something close to a dusty pink. It's a more rustic, lived-in look, and honestly a really beautiful one. If you want something that feels a little more understated and natural, Weathered is worth a look.
Hunting Tartan
Hunting tartans are essentially the camouflage version of a clan's tartan — greens and browns brought forward so the wearer could move through the landscape without standing out. Not every clan has one, and that's by design. If a tartan is already mostly green or brown (like the Black Watch or Gunn), there's no need to adapt it. But a tartan like the Fraser, which is predominantly red, would make someone very easy to spot in the field — so a Hunting version makes a lot of sense for clans like that.
Dress Tartan
Dress tartans were made for the big occasions — Highland games, celebrations, and traditional dance. The pattern stays the same, but the main colour is swapped out for white, or extra white is woven in to give it a lighter, more formal feel. As you'd expect from the Scots, the rules get bent every now and then — yellow has been used instead of white in some cases, which is exactly how the famously bold MacLeod Dress Modern and Barclay Dress Modern came to be.
The Matheson Tartan Story
Four centuries of history woven into every thread
Warrior Spirit
The Matheson clan emerged from the mists of ancient Kintail in the 13th century, establishing themselves as one of Scotland's most formidable Highland families. Their ancestral seat at Eilean Donan Castle commanded the strategic waters where Loch Duich meets Loch Long and Loch Alsh. Led by early chiefs who claimed descent from the ancient Celtic nobility, the Mathesons quickly became masters of their Highland domain. The clan's Gaelic motto 'Fac et spera' (Do and Hope) reflected their bold approach to Highland warfare and politics. These early Matheson warriors forged alliances with powerful neighbors while fiercely defending their territories against Viking raids and rival clans seeking to claim their prosperous lands in the western Highlands.
Naval Power
Throughout the 14th and 15th centuries, the Mathesons expanded their influence beyond Kintail through strategic marriages and military prowess. The clan developed a fearsome reputation as Highland warriors, with Matheson chiefs leading their followers in countless battles defending Scottish independence. During the Wars of Scottish Independence, Matheson swords flashed at Bannockburn alongside Robert the Bruce. The clan's naval strength proved crucial in controlling the western sea routes, with Matheson galleys patrolling the Inner Hebrides. Clan members established cadet branches in Sutherland and the Outer Hebrides, particularly dominating the Isle of Lewis. The Mathesons weathered the turbulent medieval period through their combination of diplomatic skill and battlefield courage, maintaining their status as one of the great Highland clans.
Where does the name Matheson Tartan come from?
Matheson derives from Gaelic 'Mac Mhathain' meaning 'son of the bear,' reflecting the clan's legendary strength and fierce Highland warrior spirit. The name originates from ancient Celtic traditions honoring the bear as a sacred symbol of courage and protection. Alternative interpretations link it to 'Mathghamhain' meaning 'good fortune,' fitting for this powerful Highland family who dominated Kintail and Lochalsh for over seven centuries from their fortress strongholds.
Jacobite Legacy
The 16th and 17th centuries witnessed the height of Matheson power in the Scottish Highlands. Clan chief Iain Dubh Matheson earned legendary status for his leadership during the tumultuous Jacobite period, while Matheson warriors distinguished themselves in continental European campaigns. The clan faced devastating challenges during the Highland Clearances, but many members adapted by emigrating to North America, particularly Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island. Matheson settlers established thriving communities throughout Canada, with clan members becoming prominent merchants, soldiers, and community leaders. In Scotland, the remaining Mathesons rebuilt their fortunes through Highland estate management and military service, maintaining their proud traditions despite dramatic social changes transforming the Highland way of life.
Cultural Preservation
The 18th and 19th centuries marked a new chapter of Matheson achievement as clan members embraced opportunities across the expanding British Empire. Sir James Matheson co-founded the influential trading house Jardine Matheson in Hong Kong, becoming one of the wealthiest men in Britain. His fortune enabled the purchase of the entire Isle of Lewis, where Mathesons implemented progressive agricultural improvements. Clan members served as distinguished officers in Highland regiments, earning battle honors from India to Canada. Matheson emigrants flourished in America, establishing successful businesses and contributing to Scottish-American communities. The clan produced notable scholars, including pioneering Gaelic linguists who preserved Highland cultural traditions. Throughout this period, Mathesons maintained strong clan identity through regular gatherings and correspondence networks spanning the globe.
The Matheson tartan embodies centuries of Highland warrior tradition, from ancient Lochalsh strongholds to global clan gatherings, woven in the sacred colors of Scotland.
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