Opinions and a query: Scottish National tartan

[Owl of Oban]

While I've known that my mom's family came from the Loch Lomond region (Colquhoun territory) for a while, the genealogists in the family just recently found out that the patrilinear ancestors did actually come from lowland Scotland.
Now this is great news, because it means a new kilt for me!

I'm thinking the 'Scottish National' tartan since it sort of covers all bases for Scottish origins.

Does anyone know the origin/genesis of this tartan?

[Graham]

not sure of the origin John, but I know I like it, I have a USAK semi in that tartan, it's my wifes' favourite kilt.

[motorman4life]

It is my understanding it is a commercial tartan... available for anyone to wear.

[M. A. C. Newsome]

That one is in my Compendium of District Tartans, but I'm at my in-laws' house for Thanksgiving, and my books are back home. So I can't give you specific names and dates. But it was created by an individual and based on the Black Watch tartan, with red and white stripes added. It was originally intended for use by the SNP, but doesn't have any political connotations today -- it's marketed and worn as a general Scottish tartan. The date 1994 sticks in my head for some reason as the date of origin for the tartan.

It's a nice looking tartan -- I had a kilt in it for a while. Looks great pleated to the white line.

Have you also considered a district tartan to represent your family's lowland origins? I don't know where in the Lowlands they are from, but there are some good tartans for Lowland regions. Roxburgh, Tweedside, Galloway, etc.

Aye,
Matt

[Schultz]

I really like that Roxburgh tartan. After doing some more genealogical digging, I found that my mother of all people, of what we thought was Anglo-Teutonic stock, has a wee bit of Scot in her as well, from Roxburgh...so much so that the surname is Rossborough. I took a look for a Roxburgh tartan and decided I must have a kilt in it someday.