Bell
Bell Tartan Collection
Celebrate one of the great riding clans with the Bell collection — the famously numerous Bells of Middlebie, reivers of the West March among the Devil's Dozen, whose crest and motto ring out, I Beir the Bel.
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About the Bell Tartan
Clan Bell is a clan of the Scottish Borders, so numerous in their Dumfriesshire heartland that the old saying ran "as numerous as the Bells of Middlebie." One of the great riding families of the West March — counted among the feared "Devil's Dozen" of reiving clans — the Bells are an armigerous clan today. Their tartan, "Bell of the Borders," informally called Dress Blue, was created in 1984 to give the dispersed clan a sett of its own.
Whether you bear the Bell name, descend from the Borders or Ulster, or simply admire a clan with a fierce frontier past, this collection brings the Bell tartan into wearable apparel, everyday accessories, home decor and meaningful heritage gifts.
Bell Tartan Pattern & Colours
The Bell of the Borders tartan is a striking sett built on deep blue with black, green and red and lifted by a bright sunburst yellow. By the clan's own telling, black stands for the border and its fallen, blue for the sky and the oceans crossed, green for the land, red for blood and bravery, and yellow for the sun — a tartan rich in meaning.
Who Is This Collection For?
The Bell tartan collection is a meaningful choice for the Bell family and its many spellings, descendants of Dumfriesshire and the Borders, those with Ulster roots, and anyone drawn to one of the most numerous and storied of the Border riding clans.
- Bell family members
- Middlebie & Dumfriesshire roots
- Borders & Ulster heritage
- Common Ridings & gatherings
- Birthday & Christmas gifts
- Everyday tartan style
Bell Clan Heritage
Thought to descend from a Norman follower of David I — the name from the French bel, "fair" — the Bells were settled in Middlebie parish in Dumfriesshire by the 14th century, where more than thirty major Bell families once lived. As Border reivers they rode hard on the West March; their tower of Blackethouse was destroyed in an English raid of 1547, and after 1603 the Scottish Parliament declared them "unruly." William Bell, called Redcloak, was chosen as a Border guard in 1622.
When King James VI ended the reiving age, many Bells crossed to the Ulster Plantations, where the name ranks among the most numerous in the province. The crest, a hand holding a dagger, and the motto I Beir the Bel — said to come from winning a prize bell in contests — crown the clan. Later Bells gave the world the engineer Henry Bell, builder of the steamship Comet, and the anatomist Sir Charles Bell.
Bell Tartan FAQ
Quick answers about the Bell tartan, who can wear it, and why Bell products make meaningful Scottish heritage gifts.
What is the Bell tartan?
The main sett is "Bell of the Borders," informally called Dress Blue, created in 1984 — a blue-based tartan with black, green, red and sunburst yellow. A second sett, Bell South, also exists.
Who can wear the Bell tartan?
Anyone can wear it. It is especially meaningful for those of the Bell name and for anyone with Dumfriesshire, Borders or Ulster ancestry.
Where do the Bells come from?
Clan Bell is a Border clan long settled in Middlebie parish in Dumfriesshire — so numerous that the saying ran "as numerous as the Bells of Middlebie."
What does the motto "I Beir the Bel" mean?
It means "I bear the bell." By tradition it refers to winning a small gold or silver bell awarded to the victor in contests and races.
Were the Bells Border reivers?
Yes. The Bells were one of the great riding families of the West March, counted among the feared "Devil's Dozen" of reiving clans.
Is Bell tartan a good gift?
Yes. Bell products make thoughtful gifts for family members, clan gatherings, Common Ridings, birthdays, Christmas and Scottish heritage celebrations.
Celebrate Your Bell Heritage in Style
Discover Bell tartan apparel, accessories and meaningful Scottish-inspired gifts that honour Middlebie, the West March and the clan's ringing motto, I Beir the Bel.
View Bell Tartan Products