Birrell Clan Tartan

[GaRebel211]

Okay so over the last month or so I have finally traced my mother's side of my family back to Scotland directly to the U.S.(1717) unlike all of my other branches that either were from Ireland or were Ulster Scots. Through all of my research I learned my family (Burrell) was actually spelled Birrell or Birral depending which branch. We also have two tartans, a ancient as pictured in my avatar or the modern which has more red instead of the faded orange. So needless to say I am super exicited about getting a kilt made in one of these tartans. My question for the Rabble, which one? I would assume the ancient would be more like what my family would have had, is that correct? What dictates ancient from modern? When it was made? I am leaning toward the ancient just cause I like the look better, but I'm curious of rabbles opinion, here are the links for the two.
The Ancient
http://http://www.lochcarron.com/tartanstrome/birrell_ancient.html
The Modern
http://http://www.tartanregister.gov.uk/tartanDetails.aspx?ref=264

Also if anyone knows any history of the Birrell clan, I'd be most grateful.

[GaRebel211]

Links fixed

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

Burrells seem to have arrived in Scotland from France during the 17th century, when the persecution of Hugenouts (French protestants) was at it's peak. Since many Hugenouts were involved in weaving and lace making, it is possible that the example of Birrell tartan recorded in Wilson of Bannockburn's books was brought to Scotland from France!

As far as having a preference for either tartan, without seeing a swatch of each, I'd opt for the "modern" as the "ancient" could look too pink and washed out. The final choice is yours, but remember-- our ancestors loved bright colours, and the concept of "ancient" colours is very much a recent trend.

[figheadair]

Can I start by pointing out a common mistake regarding any pattern which is the difference between colour and shade.

Changes in colour and/or sett essentially make a different design although it might have the same name as another design. Changes in shade do not affect the design of tartan or anything else. For example red is red. It might be light, medium or dark but it's still red. The same goes for blue, green etc.

Therefore, there are not two Birrel tartans but one that can be woven in any of the standard colour ways; Ancient, Modern, Muted etc. For an explanation of colour terminology have a look here - http://www.scottishtartans.co.uk/The...n%20Tartan.pdf

The Birrel is one of Wilsons of Bannockburn's late C18th tartans and whilst a number of manufacturers make this but none do it properly. Although there is no known surviving Wilsons' sample of this there are literally hundreds of other examples of their other tartans which, together with their dye colours that I have researched and matched, means that an accurate representation is entirely possible. If you want a kilt in the correct (original) colours and setting please PM me.

[GaRebel211]

I thank you kindly for the clarifications regarding ancient vs. modern. I did not understand the concept I guess. This is why I love this site and the information provided by people who know much more than I do. Thank you so very much.