One of the most striking elements of the characters’ clothing is the use of tartan, the well-known checked fabric often associated with Scotland. It is a common myth that tartan traditionally served to distinguish different clans from each other, with each clan having its own unique pattern (Brown, 2010). This tradition only emerged in the 19th century and is largely a Victorian invention (Pittock, 2010). In the period in which Brave is set, tartan was not yet worn as we know it today. Nevertheless, the makers of Brave chose to include tartan in the film. The reason for this was that the audience immediately associates tartan with Scotland. Its use enhances the atmosphere of the film and gives the fictional royal family of DunBroch a cultural identity that fits in with the contemporary image of Scotland (Lerew et al., 2012). Despite not being historically accurate Pixar developed tartan patterns to represent the different clans. The tartan for clan DunBroch was officially registered with the Scottish Register of Tartans.
“Much like Scotland itself, the DunBroch Tartan is set against the ocean blue of the North Sea. The deep scarlet represents the family’s reverence for its own history, and the blood shed during battles between the clans. Deep green shows a love for Scotland’s majestic highlands, where the story of Disney Pixar’s 'Brave' unfolds. Navy blue, and its clear central intersections, represents the forging of the clans within the DunBroch kingdom. And finally, the subtle grey imbues a sense of respect for the inner soul of the strong Scottish people.” (Scottish Register of Tartans, n.d.)
