Cornish National Tartan
'Tartans are the heritage of all Celts'
E.E. Morton Nance, 1963
The Cornish wear the colours of our ancient kings with pride.
The Cornish National
The Cornish National Tartan was created in 1963 by the poet E. E. Morton Nance.
It is said that E. E. Morton Nance regarded tartan as the 'heritage of all Celts' and encouraged brave Cornishmen to wear the colours of their ancient kings.
The Royalties on this kilt are made to an educational trust fund.
For further details on the meaning behind the colours of the Cornish National tartan you can watch our video.
St. Piran Cornish Flag
The Tartan is named for St. Piran (patron saint of Cornwall). This tartan was created in 1983 by Abi Evans
For further details on the meaning behind the colours of the St. Piran Cornish Flag tartan you can watch our video.
The Cornish Hunting
This tartan was produced in 1984. This design was a collaboration between the families of Redwood and Charnocks. It is said they wished to create a National tartan that was a little less bright compared to the Cornish Hunting tartan.
It is said that the colours also represent Cornish Wrestlers.
For further details on the meaning behind the colours of the Cornish Hunting tartan you can watch our video.
History of the Cornish kilt
The earliest evidence we have of kilts being worn in Cornwall can be viewed at a church in Alternun, Cornwall. An image is carved into the end pew of a man in a kilt playing the pipes. The church dates back to the 1500s. The earliest kilts were believed to be black and the current tartans we know today are a modern addition.
Large credit for the revival of the Cornish kilt must go to a man called Louis Charles Richard Duncombe-Jewell. He was a Lieutenant in the 3rd Volunteer Battalion of the Royal Fusiliers, a writer and a Celtic bard (named the blue bard). In 1902 he wore a kilt of his own design to the Celtic congress as a Cornish delegate.
The Cornish National tartan was first designed in 1963 by the poet E.E. Morton Nance and he wore it to the Celtic Congress which was held at Carbis Bay that year.
Although these tartans are a recent history they are a symbol of the Cornish proud Celtic heritage and a pride for our beloved Kernow.
