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Barbour Birchwood Tartan: The New Heritage Classic
For more than a century, tartan has been part of the Barbour story, reflecting the brand’s British heritage and strong connection to the countryside. The distinctive Barbour family sett has become recognisable across clothing and accessories, with its timeless checks continuing to evolve while staying true to the brand’s roots. Now, Barbour introduces a new chapter with Birchwood Tartan. This is a re-imagined take on its traditional tartan inspired by the changing colours of native Scottish woodlands. In this blog, we take a closer look at the history behind Barbour tartan and the inspiration behind its latest interpretation.
The History of Barbour Tartan
The Barbour family can trace its roots to 13th-century Ayrshire in South West Scotland, where the family name began. When creating its first exclusive tartan, Barbour looked to this Scottish heritage for inspiration, working with renowned tartan specialists Kinloch Anderson to develop a distinctive family sett.
Introduced in 1998, Barbour’s Classic Tartan was based on the Ayrshire District tartan and designed to reflect the colours of the British countryside. It was created to complement Barbour’s iconic waxed jackets, establishing the familiar tartan as an important part of the brand’s countrywear identity.
Since then, Barbour has continued to develop its tartan collection while retaining the original sett at its heart. Dress Tartan followed in 2002 inspired by traditional white-based tartans, while Ancient Tartan was introduced in 2006 with colours inspired by historic vegetable dyes. Over the years, these tartans have appeared across linings, trims, outerwear, clothing and accessories, becoming a recognisable detail of Barbour style.
What is Tartan?
Tartan is a woven fabric made up of horizontal and vertical bands of colour that cross at right angles to create its distinctive checked pattern. Each design is made using a precise arrangement of threads, known as a sett, which determines the colours, spacing and overall appearance of the tartan. While the pattern may look simple, these details give each tartan its own identity and character.
Birchwood Tartan
Barbour Birchwood Tartan is a re-imagined take on the brand’s traditional tartan, bringing a fresh palette of camel and navy tones to a much-loved heritage pattern. Inspired by the changing colours of native Scottish woodlands as they head towards autumn, this new tartan combines timeless character with a more contemporary feel. While the colours have been updated, the design remains true to Barbour’s authentic family sett, retaining the heritage and distinctive style associated with the brand. Birchwood Tartan adds a refined touch to clothing and accessories, making it a versatile choice for everyday country style and seasonal wardrobes.
How To Style Birchwood Tartan
The geometric nature of tartan lends itself to pairing well with chunky, oversized layers, with a cohesive colour palette that allows tartan to be the hero of your outfit. Don’t add too many accents, but a contrast here and there can work quite well.
With its camel and navy palette, Birchwood Tartan brings a distinctive look to Barbour’s 2026 collection. The colours take their cue from the changing tones of Scottish woodland, giving the pattern a softer, more contemporary feel while keeping its recognisable character.
From shirts and knitwear to accessories and outerwear, Birchwood Tartan offers plenty of ways to wear the new design. Pair it with classic country staples for a timeless look, or use it to add pattern and colour to simpler everyday outfits. However you choose to style it, Birchwood Tartan is an easy way to bring something new to a familiar favourite.
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