Wedding celebration of Mike and Dani Renfrew, two Scots living and working in Phnom Penh. Mike wore the Hunting Stuart, one of the Royal Scottish Tartans, which dates back to 1819. The family name of Renfrew comes from the town where the River Cart enters the River Clyde. It means calm waters.

Renfrewshire is known as the “Cradle of the Royal Stuarts” for its early link with Scotland’s former royal house. Renfrew gained royal burgh status in 1397.

Tartan is patterned and colored cloth made of woven wool or other sturdy materials, and are commonly associated with Scotland and the Scottish kilts.

Interesting history about tartan (thank you and credit to Mike’s father)

The earliest known tartan in Scotland can be dated to the third century AD. In other parts of the world, tartan cloth has been found as far back as 3000 BC.

Tartan has been worn by Scottish clans from about the 16th century onwards, which means that Mel Gibson’s Braveheart was 200 years too early for Kilts.

Tartan was worn by the Jacobites to show support for King James VII of Scotland and II of England. James was a Royal Stuart and was deposed in 1688 by his daughter Mary II and her husband William of Orange. King James was the last Catholic monarch of the United Kingdom and one of his grandchildren was Bonnie Prince Charlie.

The first Jacobite rebellion started in 1689 and at this time If a Jacobite wore tartan, they could not be prosecuted under English treason legislation because they were merely wearing an item of clothing. They were not saying anything out loud. This posed a problem for the British government.

In an attempt to curtail this defiance, tartan was later banned under the Dress Act of 1746.

The association of tartan with the idea of ‘blood identity’ was a much later invention. From the 19th century onwards, patterns became associated with particular families.

All the best to you Mike and Dani. Two of the most genuine and authentic people I know.