Debunking the Myths About Highlanders and Clan Tartans

**Michael A** · 19th November 17, 05:29 PM

I second Jock Scot’s comment. I often read comments about kilts starting with “Well I am Scottish, and I grew up knowing...”

I can name any number of my fellow compatriots in Australia who, despite being born and bred in Australia, know scarce little of Australian history too, including some MPs.

**The Q** · 20th November 17, 07:23 AM

Originally Posted by David Dubh

No that’s not a typo James VII Of Scotland James II of England fled the throne during the glorious revolution of 1688 his son was proclaimed king James VIII of Scotland James the III of England and Wales as well as France upon his fathers death (which was kind of awkward as his cousin Louis king of France was sheltering the family at the time)

Regards David

James the 8th of ENGLAND?
James the 3rd of SCOTLAND?
is what it says in the text...

**Bruce Scott** · 20th November 17, 04:27 PM

Originally Posted by The Q

James the 8th of ENGLAND?
James the 3rd of SCOTLAND?
is what it says in the text...

I'm confused. Is this the part you are referring to?
"Jacobite means supporter of James Francis Edward Stewart, or deposed King James III of England, also known as James VIII of Scotland."

EDIT: Clarified in #14 by EagleJCS

**EagleJCS** · 20th November 17, 05:47 PM

Gents, the errant information is in the paragraph under the image of the Royal Stewart tartan, before the discussion of the Dress Act.

"MacDonald: Originally, they were Scottish. They go right back to James Stewart, or James VI of Scotland, who became James I of England and Wales under the Union of the Crowns in 1603. Because Elizabeth I had no children, when she died, they had to look around for someone to succeed her. James was related, and so he was offered the crown. He was a Scot, and therefore, from him, descend all the Jameses, hence the Jacobites. If you go to what was called James VIII of England and James III of Scotland, he was born in England, but forced to flee with his father when he was about 7. His son, Bonnie Prince Charlie, was born in Rome."

(emphasis mine)

The paragraph preceding the image of the Royal Stewart tartan has it in the correct order: "Jacobite means supporter of James Francis Edward Stewart, or deposed King James III of England, also known as James VIII of Scotland".

**kilted firefighter** · 20th November 17, 06:10 PM

Very educational. Thank you for posting.

**The Q** · 21st November 17, 01:34 AM

Deleted, EagleJCS beat me to it...

**figheadair** · 21st November 17, 02:57 AM

Originally Posted by EagleJCS

Gents, the errant information is in the paragraph under the image of the Royal Stewart tartan, before the discussion of the Dress Act.

"MacDonald: Originally, they were Scottish. They go right back to James Stewart, or James VI of Scotland, who became James I of England and Wales under the Union of the Crowns in 1603. Because Elizabeth I had no children, when she died, they had to look around for someone to succeed her. James was related, and so he was offered the crown. He was a Scot, and therefore, from him, descend all the Jameses, hence the Jacobites. If you go to what was called James VIII of England and James III of Scotland, he was born in England, but forced to flee with his father when he was about 7. His son, Bonnie Prince Charlie, was born in Rome."

(emphasis mine)

The paragraph preceding the image of the Royal Stewart tartan has it in the correct order: "Jacobite means supporter of James Francis Edward Stewart, or deposed King James III of England, also known as James VIII of Scotland".

I missed that in the online draft. Their mistake, not mine 🙄. I will ask them to amend it.

**KMCMICHAEL** · 21st November 17, 06:41 AM

It seems Ironic. My paternal ancestor, born in Rothsay, Bute around 1725, would not have recognized the traditional Scottish attire or had a clue about family tartans?

**figheadair** · 21st November 17, 07:38 AM

Originally Posted by KMCMICHAEL

It seems Ironic. My paternal ancestor, born in Rothsay, Bute around 1725, would not have recognized the traditional Scottish attire or had a clue about family tartans?

Why would you think that? He would have undoubtedly known about what was traditional at that time as opposed to what we now think of as traditional. Similarly, whilst there were no clan tartans per se it is entirely possible, even likely, that people in a given area used the local weaver and that he/she would have had a small range of stock patterns that people could could chose from depending on their pocket. It does not mean that everyone in the area or even in the same family would have worn the same thing but they would very likely be familiar with the local style. See this paper for an exporation of the idea
A Regional Motif in old tartans from Appin and Lorn