The Napier tartan is of comparatively recent origin, dating probably from the late 19th century.

History of the Tartan and Kilts

As early as the third century, stripe and checked woolen fabrics were worn by Scottish warriors.  A modern tartan is the original color, ancient is the effect of the sun and weathering and the reproduction is even lighter in color than the ancient.  In 1582, according to George Buchanan, the Highland Dress consisted of tightly woven, cross striped woolen threads the length of the cloth.  It was used as a garment by day and a blanket at night.  In the 17th century the woolen cloth is described as a tartan for the Highland Dress.  By the 18th century men wore plaid [played] of wool tartan and referred to it as a Great Kilt or [feileadh mór] “the kilt in its primitive form, consisting of one piece, generally of tartan, covering, when spread, the whole body, and girt round the waist.  Feileadh means the kilt, that part of the dress of the Gael from the waist to the knee and mór means big.  A “féileadh-Bhreacain” is the kilted plaid, which consisted of twelve yards or more, of narrow tartan, which was wrapped round the middle, and hung down to the knees.  The “bhreacain”, or plaid part of the article of dress was, according to occasion, wrapped round the shoulders, or fastened on the left shoulder with a brooch of gold, silver or steel, according to the wealth of the wearer. (Gaelic dictionary)