top of page
TARTAN CALENDAR      Jan     Feb     Mar     Apr     May     Jun     Jul     Aug     Sep     Oct     Nov     Dec     TARTAN CALENDAR 

Click the tartan to view its entry in The Scottish Registers of Tartans which includes registration details, restrictions, and registrant information.

 

Unregistered tartans may link to one of the web's online design environments for similar information.

 

For any questions about reproduction of designs or weaving of these tartans, please contact the registrant directly or via this website.

Feast of St James

“Every step on the Camino is a prayer without words.”

Today, people from around the globe embark on the Camino de Santiago as a meaningful journey—whether seeking spiritual renewal, personal insight, physical endurance, or cultural discovery. Rooted in medieval tradition, the Camino traces the historic pilgrimage routes leading to the shrine of Saint James the Greater, one of Jesus's apostles, whose remains are believed to rest in the cathedral of Santiago de Compostela. Pilgrims travel these ancient paths on foot, by bicycle, or even on horseback, echoing a devotion that has endured for more than a thousand years. While many come in search of religious significance or a connection to history, others are drawn by the beauty of the landscapes, the fellowship of the trail, and the contemplative rhythm of daily progress. The Camino continues to inspire a shared human experience, uniting travelers on their way not only to Santiago, but also beyond—to the rugged capes of Muxía or Fisterra, where the land meets the Atlantic in solemn reflection.


The designer was inspired to create this tartan through his experiences traveling across Spain and his deep love for Walking the Way. Drawing from the spirit and landscapes of the historic pilgrimage routes, his design reflects a personal connection to the Camino. He completed the Camino de Santiago in 2014, followed by a journey along the Via de la Plata—also known as the Silver Route—of which he has walked roughly half. In 2017, his pilgrimage continued along the Camino Portugués, extending all the way to the coastal destinations of Muxía and Fisterra. Each path contributed to the colors, symbolism, and emotional resonance woven into the tartan’s design. 🧡 ❤️ 🤍 🖤 ✝️ 🇪🇸

The Camino de Santiago, or Way of St. James, is a network of ancient pilgrimage routes culminating at the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Galicia, northwestern Spain. The pilgrimage emerged in the early 9th century following the reported discovery of the tomb of St. James the Greater, one of the Twelve Apostles, in what was then a remote region of the Iberian Peninsula. According to legend, after St. James’s martyrdom in Jerusalem, his body was transported by boat to Galicia and buried in secret. His tomb was rediscovered around 813 AD, prompting King Alfonso II of Asturias to travel there in what is considered the first documented pilgrimage to Santiago. A shrine was soon established, and Santiago quickly became one of the three principal destinations of Christian pilgrimage, alongside Jerusalem and Rome.


By the 11th and 12th centuries, the pilgrimage routes to Santiago were heavily promoted by both the Spanish Crown and the Catholic Church. Pilgrims traveled from across medieval Europe using a network of marked trails, which became known collectively as the Caminos de Santiago. The most prominent of these is the Camino Francés, entering Spain through the Pyrenees at St. Jean Pied-de-Port and continuing west through major towns such as Pamplona, Burgos, and León. Other significant historical routes include the Via de la Plata—a Roman trade road extending north from Seville—and the Camino Portugués, which originated in Lisbon and Porto. Monasteries, hospitals, and hostels were established along these routes to support the growing numbers of pilgrims, while Romanesque and later Gothic churches rose in strategic locations, many financed by royalty and religious orders.


The pilgrimage was not only a spiritual journey but also a vital conduit for cultural and economic exchange. Pilgrims traveled on foot or horseback, often for months at a time, passing through politically and linguistically diverse regions. The Camino facilitated the transmission of religious relics, artistic styles, and architectural innovations such as the Romanesque barrel vault and the Gothic arch. Pilgrimage fostered the growth of cities, influenced trade routes, and contributed to the broader European identity of the Middle Ages.


Though the popularity of the pilgrimage declined after the Reformation and the Enlightenment, it never entirely ceased. The 20th century saw a gradual revival, particularly after the Camino Francés was declared the First European Cultural Route by the Council of Europe in 1987 and later a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Today, tens of thousands of pilgrims from around the world walk the Camino each year for a variety of reasons—religious, cultural, personal, or recreational—following routes still marked by the traditional yellow arrows and scallop shell symbols. The Camino continues to be a living tradition, bridging the medieval and the modern, and preserving one of Europe’s most enduring historical and spiritual journeys.


For more on modern walks for the modern pilgrim, click the guidestone.

Join our curious and unusual mailing list.

Never miss a tartan update!

Officially registered tartan graphics on this site courtesy of The Scottish Tartans Authority.  Other tartans from talented tartan artists may also be featured.

2022

  • X
  • Facebook
  • Youtube

This site is featured on:​   boredalot.com   &   pointlesssites.com

9 out of 10 kilt wearers agree - this is almost as thrilling as a good

highland dance kilt flip!

In a tartan mood? Tag along on social media

bottom of page