What is tartan? Most people recognise this familiar pattern consisting of criss-crossed horizontal and vertical bands in multiple colours. But it also has a long and complex history rooted in the Scottish Highlands. Originally tartans were made of dyed and woven wool, but today many other materials have taken on the pattern. This book presents the history of how tartans became a symbol of Scotland, diversifying and spreading to eventually reach a global market through fashion and design, with period drawings and paintings, 20th-century advertisements, and scores of swatches. From kilts, dresses, and capes, to haute couture and interior accents, tartan has become ubiquitous.