Hebrides Region Tartan?

**Frank MacDuffy** · 21st November 06, 08:48 AM

Anyone konw if there's a regional tartan for the Hebrides? My family emigrated from the outer Hebrides so I've been hoping to find a tartan for that region.

**pdcorlis** · 21st November 06, 08:52 AM

Hi Frank

Try using the Tartan Finder at www.district-tartans.com

**cajunscot** · 21st November 06, 09:16 AM

Originally Posted by pdcorlis

Hi Frank

Try using the Tartan Finder at www.district-tartans.com

There are three listed on district-tartans.com:

Hebridean
Hebrides, Inner
Hebrides, Outer

Cheers,

Todd

**M. A. C. Newsome** · 21st November 06, 09:29 AM

Just to clarify on these tartans, these are district tartans in the sense of being historical artifact tartans from those regions. There has never been an official adoptation of any of those tartans.

Some islands have their own tartans, as well -- Mull, Skye, Gigha, etc.

**starbkjrus** · 21st November 06, 11:06 AM

Your question had me reaching for Matt's book (The Compendium of District Tartans, Newsome & Bullman, Scotpress 2004, -05) but I see the author already beat me to it.

(Disclaimer: No, Matt does not pay me to plug his book; I just find it an exremely useful reference. )

**KiltedCodeWarrior** · 21st November 06, 01:37 PM

Are the inner and outer ones asymmetrical or something? They just don't look right.

**AllenJ** · 21st November 06, 01:59 PM

While we're on the subject...
Is there any difference between the Strathspey tartan and the Black Watch? I know Clan Grant has adopted the Black Watch as their hunting tartan due to its longstanding relationship with the regiment. The Grants are native to the Strathspey area so the justification seems solid...Just wondering if anyone knows for sure.

**Frank MacDuffy** · 21st November 06, 02:18 PM

Originally Posted by M. A. C. Newsome

Just to clarify on these tartans, these are district tartans in the sense of being historical artifact tartans from those regions. There has never been an official adoptation of any of those tartans.

Some islands have their own tartans, as well -- Mull, Skye, Gigha, etc.

Has there been any official adoption of the South Uist tartan?

I'd have trouble wearing a tartan that wasn't.

**M. A. C. Newsome** · 21st November 06, 05:56 PM

KCW:

Are the inner and outer ones asymmetrical or something? They just don't look right.

They are both symmetrical, but also both rather complex. I think on those images you are only seeing a portion of the tartan, which is probably why they appear assymetrical to you.

AllenJ:

Is there any difference between the Strathspey tartan and the Black Watch?

Yes. But they are very similar in appearance, both being blue, black and green tartans. The difference can best be illustrated by comparing thread counts. (K = black, B = blue, G = green)

Strathspey:
K4 B4 K4 B20 K20 G20 K4

Black Watch:
B22 K2 B2 K2 B2 K16 G16 K2 G16 K16 B16 K2 B2

In essence, the Black Watch has two and four black lines alternating on every other blue feild, while the Strathspey has three black lines on every blue field.

The Black Watch is the same as the Sutherland tartan, on the other hand.

Frank:

Has there been any official adoption of the South Uist tartan?

There are actually three tartans that I am aware of recorded as "South Uist," all of which are artifact tartans (two of which I know of date from the 1730s, the other one I am not sure of the date). So that haven't been officially adopted by the island as true district tartans, per se, but they are historic tartans from the region and if someone wanted to wear a tartan to identify with the island, one of these historic designs would be a good choice.