MacKay modern vs. Blackwatch

[Bjordnolf]

I am just wondering if there is any real difference between the modern MacKay tartan and the Blackwatch. Especially looking at the examples from all the different weavers they look very much the same.
Thanks

[Mike S]

I am just wondering if there is any real difference between the modern MacKay tartan and the Blackwatch. Especially looking at the examples from all the different weavers they look very much the same.
Thanks

Hi Bjordnolf,
As you can clearly see from the following images, the two setts are quite different:
Black Watch:


MacKay:

[Bjordnolf]

Funny thing is that they are different from every weaver.

[M. A. C. Newsome]

The MacKay and Black Watch look very similar due to the fact that they both have the same colors -- blue, black, and green. However, the pattern is entirely different.

Perhaps this can best be demonstrated by comparing the thread counts, rather than looking at pictures. For those who are not familiar, these thread counts lay out the basic pattern of the tartan, which is then repeated (usually in reverse) for the full width of the cloth. The same pattern is followed in warp and weft. The letters represent colors (G=green, B=blue, K=black) and the numbers represent the numbers of threads of that color.

MacKay:
K6 G28 K28 G4 B28 G6

Black Watch:
B24 K4 B4 K4 B4 K20 G24 K6 G24 K20 B22 K4 B4

Just glancing at the above, even if you can't decypher it, should illustrate how different the two patterns are.

Also, you might try comparing the two tartans side by side in the ancient colors -- lightening the coloration of the tartan will bring out the pattern more and you can easily see the difference.

[Southern Breeze]

I guess you learn something new all the time- I didn't know Blackwatch had blue in it. And I'm wearing it right now. :grin:

[chasem]

I've noticed that a lot of black watch tartans (meaning from different mills) seem to have a very very dark blue that isn't quite noticable unless you know it's there.