Shepherd Check Tartan Fabric

Shepherd Check Lightweight Fabric is a classic black and white check. Woven using 100% Pure New Wool this tartan is available for made to measure products, accessories, soft furnishings and craft projects. Made here in our mill in Selkirk, Scotland.

Originally, no dye would be required to make this check. The wool used would be from sheep, making the white a more natural shade and black varrying from a brown to darker grey. Most old weavers preferred the natural black, as opposed to that produced by the dyers. The traditional black dyes of the Highlands were made from alder-bark, dock-root and the root of the water-flag.

It was Sir Walter Scott who liked to wear this particular check. The Scottish Borders town of Galashiels adopted the Shepherd’s Check as its official Braw Lad’s colours. This festival is a ceremonial horse ride out, established in 1930 to commemorate events and associations in the history of the town. It is led by the Braw Lad and Braw Lass along with their four principles who carry out ceremonies along the route. This is held every June.