Tartan - Scotland

Tartan is a pattern consisting of criss-crossed horizontal and vertical bands in multiple colours. 
Scottish Kilts are using Tartan patterns.
Tartan came from Scotland. (Tartan is also known as plaid in North America, but in Scotland, a plaid is a tartan cloth slung over the shoulder, or a blanket.)
Some examples of  Scottish Tartans

Tartans originated in woven wool, but now they are made in many other materials.
Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IbWtviN4BG0
Until the middle of the nineteenth century, the highland tartans were associated with regions or districts, rather than by any specific clan. This was because tartan designs were produced by local weavers for local tastes and would tend to make use of the natural dyes available in that area. The patterns were simply different regional checked-cloth patterns, where of the tartans most to one's liking - in the same way as people nowadays choose what colours and patterns they prefer in their clothing. Thus, it was not until the mid-nineteenth century that specific tartans became associated with Scottish clans or Scottish families, or simply institutions who are (or wish to be seen as) associated in some way with a Scottish heritage