Scottish Tartan
The word 'tartan' originates from the French 'tartaine' which referred to as type of cloth. A more accurate word would be the Gaelic 'breacan', which derives from the word for chequered. The origin of the idea of individual clan tartans has become somewhat clouded over time, dubious manuscripts have been passed off as historical records and the majority of tartan setts were originated in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. 
However it is a fact that since traditional dyes relied on the availability of local constituents some colours would be particular to certain areas and therefore certain clans, also there are 4 key district tartans which form the structural basis of most clan tartans, these are Huntley (Aberdeenshire), Old Lochaber (West Highlands), Glen Orchy (Central Highlands) and Lennox (Strathclyde).
After the battle of Culloden the wearing of any form of highland dress was proscribed. This act was repealed a few years later, and manufacture began to revive, this revival was accelerated by Sir Walter Scott's 'pageant' of tartan to celebrate George IV's visit in 1822.