Looking for a book title/author

**T-Bone** · 29th September 10, 11:22 AM

When I was in college (mid 90's) there was a book in the library that had the clans/tartans/badges/etc with a drawn picture for each clan of people doing ordinary activities (hiking, curling, attending balls, general fiddle-farting). They were all dressed in fairly traditional contemporary(1930's-60's) kilted attire for the most part. As I recall it was a small book. I cannot for the life of me remember the title or author. Does this description ring any bells for anyone?

T

**HeathBar** · 29th September 10, 11:38 AM

Was it The Scottish Clans and Their Tartans by Johnston & Bacon?

**Canuck of NI** · 29th September 10, 12:07 PM

"Fiddle Farting?"

**T-Bone** · 29th September 10, 12:27 PM

Originally Posted by Canuck of NI

"Fiddle Farting?"

Hanging out. Milling around. You know, fiddle-farting. It is a phrase my grandfather used to use...as in, "Hey you, kids, quit fiddle-fartin' around the well!! you might fall in!"

**MacMillan of Rathdown** · 29th September 10, 06:37 PM

As Heath has already pointed out, the book you are thinking of is THE SCOTTISH TARTANS, with text by Sir Thomas Innes of Learney, Lord Lyon King of Arms, with (superb) illustrations by William Semple. Published by W & A.K. Johnston & G.W. Bacon Ltd., Edinburgh. (The book measures approx 6'x6'.)

Mine is the 1961 edition, for which my uncle paid a walloping 10'6 ! These regularly turn up for sale on the internet (try Amazon) and can usually be had for $5-$10.

Hope that helps!
MoR

**T-Bone** · 30th September 10, 05:14 AM

That's it!! Thank you, gentlemen, for your help.

**freddie** · 30th September 10, 07:23 AM

The illustrations differ in different editions. Mine is the second revised edition 1945 reprinted in 1953. The pictures are fantastic (so much detail) and I spend hours just drooling over them. Have you noticed how all the models in the book look exactly like their namesakes - they all have the proper clan look. William Semple really did his homework when he created these works of art!

**BEEDEE** · 30th September 10, 09:24 AM

abebooks.com have several copies available.

Brian

**MacMillan of Rathdown** · 30th September 10, 11:51 AM

Originally Posted by freddie

The illustrations differ in different editions. Mine is the second revised edition 1945 reprinted in 1953. William Semple really did his homework when he created these works of art!

The earliest edition of THE SCOTTISH TARTANS in my library dates from circa 1901-1909 (the reign of Edward VII). Done by Johnson & Bacon, it was "published" by Rentons, Ltd., "Tartan Specialists, Silk Mercers... General Drapers & House Furnishers...EDINBURGH." which was one of the largest department stores in Scotland.

The illustrations are amazing (if not up to the standards of William Semple's) as they vary from Romantic Victorianism, to vignettes of "ordinary Highland dress", which look remarkably similar to the attire of the present day.

The least different is evening dress, which would not look out of place today at any Tartan Ball.

Illustrations of day wear are the most fascinating-- bag, mask, and long hair sporrans are worn indiscriminately, as are gaiters (spats) which tend to be either grey or dark brown, and taller than those worn today by pipers, reaching to just below the cuff of the hose. Interestingly all of the illustrations show tartan or diced hose-- clearly sold colours weren't being promoted as acceptable for day wear.

Day wear jackets are depicted as being very much in the late-Victorian/Edwardian style, but cut short to suit the kilt. Waistcoats contrast with the jacket-- in my opinion to good effect! Also illustrated is a peculiar style of doublet and waistcoat -- a day wear version of the regulation doublet-- with contrasting gold or silver piping around the edges. With the exception of the last mentioned jacket, none of these would be considered out of place at a 21st century Highland gathering.

As a guide to proper Highland attire the illustrations in the post-war editions of THE SCOTTISH TARTANS are hard to beat. To see why these styles are considered traditional (as well as classic) one only has to turn to the pages in the c.1901 edition... some things really are immune from the changes of fashions.