Name five iconic things about Scotland, and chances are one of them will be tartan or a kilt! Scotland is well known for men in kilts, but it's so much more than just something to wear - it's a historic piece of clothing which has stood the test of time.

These days you can find tartan in even designer collections, high street stores or homewares.

But it all started in Scotland, hundreds of years ago.

Tartan:

It's a fabric made up of horizontal and vertical stripes in different colors, on a colored background.

• The interwoven stripes are known as a sett.

• It originated in the Highlands.

• The first mention of tartan in Scotland was in 1538.

• Originally, clanspeople used local plants, mosses and berries to dye the wool.

Tartan is used to make a Kilt:

A kilt is a piece of tartan, worn around the waist. However, a 'proper' kilt is usually accompanied by:

• A sporran - a small bag worn around the waist, over the kilt. Sporran is the Gaelic word for purse.

• A kilt pin - holds the two pieces together at the front.

• Sgian dubh (pronounced skee-an doo) - a small dagger which sits in the sock.

7 Facts about Kilts:

• The kilt originated in the Highlands too.

• Originally it was an untailored, 5 meter-long piece of cloth.

• It was known as the féileadh mor in Gaelic (pronounced philamore), meaning the 'big kilt'.

• It was worn around the waist, similar to a modern kilt, but the remaining fabric was also draped over the shoulder and pinned.

• This upper portion could be adjusted according to the demands of weather, temperature or freedom of movement needed.

• It grew in popularity after being chosen by Highland regiments serving with the British Army.

• It quickly became sought after south of the border as the British aristocracy considered all things Scottish a fashion statement. Today it features prominently in Vivienne Westwood designs.

Courtesy of Visit Scotland.