Cascadia Tartan
The Making of the Cascadia Tartan
Bringing the Cascadia Tartan to life was more than just a design project — it was a journey through history, craftsmanship, and the traditions of Scottish heritage.
Every official tartan must be formally recognized by the Scottish Register of Tartans, which is overseen by the National Records of Scotland in Edinburgh. This process ensures each new tartan is original, properly documented, and preserved as part of Scotland’s living cultural archive.
The Cascadia Tartan began as a creative idea within The Kilted Hiker project — a way to honor the Pacific Northwest’s bioregion while blending the spirit of Cascadia with the timeless tradition of tartan design. The pattern evolved through months of design refinement, color calibration, and consultations with the Register. Multiple iterations of the sett (thread count) were tested and adjusted to align precisely with the pattern’s visual balance of blue, green, black, and white — each representing a defining element of the Cascadian landscape.
Once the final design and thread count were submitted, the application underwent a formal review by the Register’s staff to confirm originality, naming authority, and technical accuracy. The final stage of approval was granted by The Keeper of the Scottish Register of Tartans — the official custodian of Scotland’s national tartan archive.
Following approval, the Cascadia Tartan (The Kilted Hiker) was entered into the Official Scottish Register of Tartans Library, where it now stands among Scotland’s historic and modern designs as a permanent part of its national record.
This registration marks the Cascadia Tartan as an officially recognized tartan of Scotland — a symbol that bridges two worlds: the rugged wilderness of the Pacific Northwest and the enduring traditions of Scottish heritage.
Cascadia Tartan was created by The Kilted Hiker as a celebration of the Pacific Northwest’s bioregion—an area defined by its dramatic coastlines, ancient forests, volcanic peaks, and untamed waterways. Inspired by the colors of the Cascadian flag and the landscapes that bind the region together, the tartan blends heritage with the wild spirit of the outdoors.
Deep blue honors the ocean, rivers, and endless skies.
Rich green represents the evergreen forests that stretch from California to Alaska.
A fine line of white recalls the snowcaps of the Cascade Range, while black reflects the basalt and volcanic stone that form the region’s foundation.
The pattern’s broad blue and green fields, crossed by bold black bands and a single white overcheck, echo the balance between land and water that defines Cascadia.
Designed as an open community tartan, it may be worn or woven by anyone who shares a connection to the Pacific Northwest or its spirit of adventure, stewardship, and unity. This design anchors The Kilted Hiker project—a creative platform exploring the food, trails, and stories of the region through film, photography, and shared experience.
Official fabric will be available through The Kilted Hiker shop down the road - Stay tuned for limited-run kilts, scarves & blankets.
Click Here to Join The Cascadia Collective!
