Don
Don Tartan Collection
Honour an old name of rivers and braes with the Don collection — a Border and north-eastern family of Newton Don and Kelso, baronets and friends of Sir Walter Scott, worn with the dignified district tartan of their Borders home.
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About the Don Tartan
The Don name has several roots in Scotland: it may come from the River Don in Aberdeenshire, from the old word dun for a hill-fort or open valley, or from the Gaelic donn, "brown," for those of dark complexion. Found in the Mar district near Aberdeen and in the Borders, it is an old Lowland family rather than a Highland clan, most fittingly worn with a district tartan of the Border country where its leading house was seated.
This collection celebrates the Don name and its heritage in the Borders and the north-east, bringing a fitting district tartan into apparel, accessories, home decor and heritage gifts for those who carry an old name of Scotland's rivers and braes.
Don & Borders District Colours
Worn through a Borders District tartan, the collection draws on a dignified palette of soft blue and slate grey with green and a fine line of white — the cool, heathery colours of the Border country around Kelso, fitting for a family long seated at Newton Don on the banks of the Eden Water.
Who Is This Collection For?
The Don collection is a meaningful choice for the Don family, descendants of the Borders and Aberdeenshire, those with Newton Don or Kelso connections, and anyone drawn to an old name of the Scottish countryside.
- Don family members
- Borders & Aberdeenshire roots
- Newton Don & Kelso ties
- Family gatherings
- Birthday & holiday gifts
- Everyday tartan style
Don Family Heritage
The leading family of the name were the Dons of Newton, near Kelso in the Borders. Alexander Don bought the estate of Newton in 1648 and styled himself the first Don of Newton-Don; he was created a Baronet of Nova Scotia on 7 June 1667. The Don baronets sat for Roxburghshire in Parliament for generations and rebuilt the fine mansion of Newton Don, which still stands above the Eden Water.
The most colourful of the line was Sir Alexander Don, 6th Baronet, a close friend of Sir Walter Scott and a constant guest at his dinner table, who sat as Member of Parliament for Roxburghshire. The 7th Baronet, Sir William Don, took to the stage and became a noted actor. When the Newton estate was sold in 1847, the baronetcy passed to the related family of Don-Wauchope, and the name Newton Don endures on the land to this day.
Don Tartan FAQ
Quick answers about the Don name, the tartan its members wear, and why Don products make meaningful Scottish heritage gifts.
Does Don have its own tartan?
Don is an old armigerous family without a clan tartan of its own, so the name is most fittingly worn with a district tartan of the Borders, where its leading house was seated.
Where does the Don name come from?
It has several roots: the River Don in Aberdeenshire, the old word dun for a hill-fort or valley, or the Gaelic donn, "brown."
Who were the Dons of Newton Don?
A Border family seated near Kelso, created Baronets of Nova Scotia in 1667, who sat for Roxburghshire in Parliament for generations.
Was a Don connected to Sir Walter Scott?
Yes. Sir Alexander Don, 6th Baronet, was a close friend of Sir Walter Scott and a frequent guest at his social gatherings.
Who can wear the Don district tartan?
Anyone of the Don name, or with Borders or Aberdeenshire roots, can wear a suitable district tartan.
Is Don tartan a good gift?
Yes. District-tartan Don products make a meaningful gift for the Don family and for those with Borders or north-eastern heritage.
Carry the Don Name with Pride
Discover Borders district tartan apparel, accessories and gifts for the Don family — honouring Newton Don, Kelso and an old name of Scotland's rivers and braes.
View Don Tartan Products