the popularity of tartan was greatly increased by the royal visit of george iv to edinburgh in 1822. george iv was the first reigning monarch to visit scotland in 171 years. the festivities surrounding the event were originated by sir walter scott who founded the celtic society of edinburgh in 1820. scott and the celtic society urged scots to attend festivities "all plaided and plumed in their tartan array". one contemporary writer sarcastically described the pomp that surrounded the celebrations as "sir walter's celtified pagentry".