My Highland Glen collection is rooted in the old-world charm of Buffalo Plaid—a checked pattern that traces its origins to 19th-century Scotland. Known traditionally as MacGregor Red and Black or Rob Roy MacGregor, this tartan is one of the oldest in Scottish history. With its deep, ancestral ties and graphic simplicity, it provides a strong design foundation for the collection. I love the way its clean, linear pattern interacts with the more organic elements I bring into the pieces—pine boughs, holly, rosemaling, creating an energy that keeps the eye moving, engaging with the whole piece rather than resting on any one detail.

Of course, while the tartan may be Scottish by birth, Buffalo Plaid has a life of its own here in America. One story tells of John McCluskey, a Scottish immigrant and descendent of Rob Roy, who brought the fabric to North America in the early 1800s. He’s said to have traded the warm, brightly colored cloth with Native American communities, helping to spread its popularity. Later, in the 1850s, the Woolrich Woolen Mill in Pennsylvania began producing the pattern in shirt form. It quickly became a staple for farmers, hunters, and lumberjacks. Paul Bunyan himself—though mythical—is rarely imagined without it.

As for how a Scottish tartan came to be called Buffalo Plaid, no one really knows. Maybe it’s because McCluskey traded it for buffalo hides. Maybe it’s tied to a herd owned by Woolrich’s founder. Like so many things I love, the history is a blend of fact and folklore. That’s what makes it timeless—and why it fits so well in my work.

God Bless,