Where does Glen Plaid come from?

Glen Plaid comes from Glen Urquhart, the United Kingdom, first documented in c. 1840.

Plate No. 034pattern

First documented: c. 1840
Origin: Glen Urquhart, Scotland, United Kingdom
Fiber: wool
Weave: 2/2 twill, banded color orders
Family: checks

Plate No. 034 · pattern

Glen Plaid

Glen plaid, or the Glenurquhart check, is a woven check that alternates bands of small two-and-two and larger four-and-four color orders on a twill ground, producing its signature interplay of fine houndstooth-like texture and bold crossing squares. It began as a Highland estate check in the 1840s and was made famous by Edward VIII as Prince of Wales, whose name still attaches to the version overlaid with a colored windowpane. It remains the most architectural of the classic suiting patterns.

Illustration: a Highland shooting estate in the 1840s, gamekeepers at a distance in matching checked suits walking a heather hillside with dogs, a lodge below by a loch — A Highland shooting estate in the 1840s, gamekeepers at a distance in matching checked suits walking a heather hillside with dogs, a lodge below by a loch.

Named for

Named for Glen Urquhart in the Scottish Highlands, where the estate check was first woven for the Countess of Seafield's keepers.

Also known as

Glen Urquhart check, Prince of Wales check

In the record

1930sEdward, Prince of Wales, wore the Glenurquhart check so often that the overchecked version took his title.

Common questions

What is Glen Plaid made of?: Glen plaid, or the Glenurquhart check, is a woven check that alternates bands of small two-and-two and larger four-and-four color orders on a twill ground, producing its signature interplay of fine houndstooth-like texture and bold crossing squares. It is traditionally made of wool.
Where does Glen Plaid come from?: Glen Plaid comes from Glen Urquhart, the United Kingdom, first documented in c. 1840.
What is Glen Plaid named after?: Named for Glen Urquhart in the Scottish Highlands, where the estate check was first woven for the Countess of Seafield's keepers.