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A visit to the Scottish Tartans Museum and Gift Shop in the Smoky Mountains is a stroll through the history and culture of Scotland.  Our 4800 square foot location on Main Street in downtown Franklin, NC, showcases a large Museum area as well as an expansive Gift Shop .

Our Museum is the only American extension of the Scottish Tartans Society in Scotland. The Scottish Tartans Society was formed in1963 to “study the origins, history and development of tartans and to record these in a Register of All Publicly Known Tartans.”  The Society has two museums--one in Keith, Scotland, and one in Franklin, NC.

The Franklin Museum not only displays Scottish Tartans, but covers various aspects of the Scottish experience--culture, history, dress, migration and military.

Visitors are invited to view their family tartan, connect with their clan, and learn about the history of Highland Dress.

Tartan research questions may be submitted to tartans@scottishtartans.org.  We do our best to answer all enquiries in the order they are received.  If you are interested in researching the recommended tartan for a particular surname, or would like a full color print out of your tartan, with thread count and other information, please click here.

Latest Updates (updated 1/28/05):

• Two new books are now available in our book section:  The Compendium of District Tartans, and The Art of Kiltmaking.
• Click here to see Highland Games photos
• Looking for a District Tartan?  Visit the latest project of the Scottish Tartans Museum -- www.District-Tartans.com
• Learn how to become a sponsor of the Scottish Tartans Museum
• Read Matthew Newsome's Patented Advice for First Time Kilt Wearers
• Buy the book by our curator, Early Highland Dress
• Be sure to check out our current Gift Shop specials!

"Bring forrit the tartan--let my own lads lead them"
Gen. Sir Colin Campbell at the Relief of Lucknow 1857.

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The Museum is the proud recipient of the following awards and honors:

• Year of the Mountains 1995-96, NC Cultural Treasure
• Governor's Award for Outstanding Volunteer Service 1997
• Diploma of Honor from the St. Andrew Association 1999 (cultural division of the chivalrous Order of St. Andrew)
• Highlands Olde Mountain Christmas Parade, Judge's Choice Award 1997
• Franklin Christmas Parade, 2nd Place 1998 Civic / Community Division
• Certificate of Appreciation, Clan MacNeil, 1988