A question for those in the know

[Dall_Piobaire]

Hello all!

Been lurking for a while, and now figured I start things with a question.

I am Boyd from my mom's side, Argyl. I notice that there is the standard modern tartan, the ancient, and of course the weathered, at least from some mills. I have also found that there was no tartan listed specifically for Boyd or Hay, at least in the resource I found, before 1950 . Now I know that there weren't truly assigned tartans, per se, with exception of a few mentioned in the 18th century, before the mid to late 19th century. So, what is the legitimacy for the ancient Boyd tartan? Was it just marketing and a weaver's whim? Is it really any more appropriate to go with ancient as oppossed to modern?

Also looking for leads on a top kiltmaker here in the states.

Enjoy the forum, and look forward to the input!

Thanks
Scott

[Phil]

Welcome from Edinburgh. I'm sure there are plenty here with the answers you are looking for. As far as ancient colours go they are just a variation on the standard ones but more muted to represent older, natural dyes rather than the brighter more modern ones.

[Monkey@Arms]

What he said^^. Here's a nice illustrated essay by the ever helpful Matt Newsom which explains about the different color schemes: http://albanach.org/colors.html

Best regards,

Jake

[Dall_Piobaire]

Hi Phil, and thanks for the welcome!

I'll tell you what, the ancient Boyd, lol, that would make coordinating tastefully a real challange. Brings to mind orange sherbert!!! Of course that is just from Loch Carron though!

Which mills are considered among the top over there?

Slainte
Scott

[BEEDEE]

from coastal North Carolina. I see Monkey@Arms has beaten my to the link to Matt Newsome's article. Ancient does not mean chronologically old, but has to do with the dies and colors used in older times.

Brian

[Dall_Piobaire]

thanks Jake and Brian!

While I was reading the ariticle, I realized I knew that. Oh well, sorry I couldn't be more of a challange first time out.

Curious Brian, are you wearing a 16oz or 13? I know the heat out there is worse than here, but I worry about going with a sixteen, with our heat an humidity!!!

Scott

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

Ancient does not mean chronologically old, but has to do with the dies and colors used in older times.

Not Always. Ancient MacMillan is just that, possibly the oldest tartan known to our clan, although there is a strong argument to suggest that the "Dress" MacMillan is older.

As a matter of interest, is there any other tartan out there called "Ancient"?

[Sammac]

Welcome from Michigan

[Dall_Piobaire]

Well Hello back to ya Mich!

Used to live up there myself, East Lansing!

[turpin]

As a matter of interest, is there any other tartan out there called "Ancient"?

Many tartans have an ancient, or reproduction color variant. here is Campbell Ancient together with Campbell (Black watch)