A confusing set of notes surround this tartan and its origin.
1. D C Stewart wrote on the 27th October 1970 that he had designed it for a "Capt. Chas.Hepburn only a few years ago."
2. Old Tartans Society notes state that it was "Designed for Charles Hepburn in 1968 by Andersons' of Edinburgh from an existing design. A letter from Kinloch Anderson (13th February 1968) includes "I belive we were the originators of the Tartan for Mr. Hepburn." but do they mean they designed it or were the original suppliers?
3. Tartans Society Sindex notes contradict this "Designed by Capt. Charles Hepburn of 'Red Hackle' whisky for the film star Audrey Hepburn.
4. The Hepburn family website is reported as saying "Researched and produced" for them by Geoffrey (Tailor) Ltd.
To add further confusion, there is another alleged Hepburn tartan which is almost certainly a US fashion tartan which has mistakenly been referred to as a clan/family tartan.
Hepburns are associated with Hermitage Castle in Liddesdale and the history of Mary, Queen of Scots. James Hepburn, 4th Earl of Bothwell (1536-78), married the Queen after being implicated in the murder of her husband, Lord Darnley.