Threads Across the North: Icelandic Heritage and Scottish Tartan
The most satisfying experiences in our work is the never-ending discoveries about world culture, history and heritage. Our Nordic Collection is amongst our favourites in that regard. Partly, because the history of Scotland is so enmeshed in the history of our Scandinavian Neighbours. The Scots language is FULL of words of Norse origins as is our original Highland mother tongue, Gaelic. For those of neither Scandinavian or Scots heritage – let us tell you that every day in Scotland folk are referring to their children as bairns, the weather as braw (when the sun shines) and ‘I ken’ for I know – that last one also has German and Dutch origins as well as Norse. Likewise, so many of our place names particularly in the North, the West and the Islands are Norse Names – Dingwall, Thurso, Lerwick and Stornoway to name a few. We’ve said it before but 65% of Icelandic folk have Scots ancestry. That’ll be those visiting Vikings from centuries past.
Last week we had over 50 metres of Icelandic Tartan delivered in both light and medium weights. Most of that order is now winging its way to Iceland to a wonderful artisan retailer. It genuinely fills our hearts with pleasure to think of our tartan being worn around the streets of Iceland and the wider world. Fjallaspuni ehf is a beautiful store packed with handmade pieces and top-quality textiles. Check out their Facebook page to find out more.
There is no rhyme or reason sometimes to which tartans take off when – but the Icelandic has been a runway star this year for a country with a very small population. However, we know that the Nordic Countries are the gods and goddesses of textiles and textile design. A trip to Stockholm, Helsinki, Oslo or Copenhagen would show you that. Whole museums and galleries dedicated to textile design. If you are planning a trip to Scandinavia (and we recommend it!) then take a little intercultural gift with you in the form of one of our Nordic Tartans. One world, many people and as the good folks of Refuweegee in Glasgow often remind us ‘We’re aw fae somewhere’ DNA testing companies can now tell us that across the Scottish Regions between 10-44% of us have Scandinavian Ancestry. Let’s use the soft power of tartan to acknowledge that and celebrate it. .
Icelandic Tartan for National Costume
Elin from Fjallaspuni ehf will be using our Icelandic tartan to make traditional Icelandic national dress. Annríki - Þjóðbúningar og skart made these wonderful aprons for a trip to Canada in August 2025, and the tartan fabric came from Saumastofa Birnu Huldar. They made their debut at Íslendingadagurinn (Icelanders’ Day) in Canada, where the Icelandic community still celebrates its heritage 150 years after their ancestors founded New Iceland in 1875.The outfits went down a storm in the recent trip to Canada for the Íslendingadagurinn (Icelanders day.)
The backstory…..In the year 1875, hundreds of Icelanders fled from their harsh life to begin a new and better life in Canada – in the land they called New Iceland. Instead of a better life, they arrived in October when the weather was cold and their lives as harsh as the ones they’d left behind. One hundred and fifty years on, the community still consider themselves to be Icelanders. Each August, they have a celebration where the main star is the Mountain Lady or Fjallkona who represents Iceland. A new traditional dress for was made for her; a mark of respect and shared culture from the Icelandic women to their hosts in New Iceland. Visit https://kyrtill.is/ for more information about the project and the Icelandic Tourist Board for more information about the country,
The group wore aprons made from our Icelandic tartan during the celebrations:
“… these drew huge attention from the community. The visitors said it felt humbled to wear them among people whose Icelandic roots run so deep”
During the trip, the team photographed themselves with the Fjallkona each wearing a different style of Icelandic national costume. In total, there are eight recognised types, each linked to a particular era. The Icelandic tartan apron belongs to the newest style, the upphlutur, designed in 1907.
The group told us how much their apron fabric resonated with people. “It’s a material that proudly shows we’re Icelanders,” one said. “Wearing it here, where Icelandic identity is still so strong, felt really meaningful. Back home, people don’t always think about what the settlers endured. But here, the history is alive.”