Commissioned by the Queen

[Fedgunner]

I've read more than once that the Queen commissioned the Brown tartan to commemorate John Brown's service.

Can anyone point me to a place that proves or disproves this?

Thanks in advance!

[davidlpope]

STA provides the following info about the Brown tartan:


Name of Tartan: Brown
ITI number: 432
Category: Clan/Family
Designer / Source: Scott Adie Catalogue
Date: pre 1905

Notes:
A Scott-Adie (London) catalogue of the early 1900's showed a tie in this 'Brown' tartan. John Brown, Queen Victoria's Highland servant usually wore a tweed kilt claiming that although of Highland origin, he had no claim to any specific tartan. This has also been reported as being sold as Grady (see # 5083 and 1141).

Cordially,
David

[davidlpope]

See below link for a previous similar discussion:
http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/b...951/index.html

Cordially,
David

[TheKiltedWonder]

Matt Newsome's article on Solid Color kilts states:

Perhaps the most famous nineteenth century figure to sport the solid kilt is Queen Victoria’s own John Brown. He was quite famous for wearing the solid black kilt suit, complete with matching vest and jacket.

The whole article can be found here: http://albanach.org/solid_kilt.htm

Of course this doesn't mean the Queen didn't commission a tartan for him, just that he seems to have usually worn a solid colored kilt. Too bad it wasn't brown (Zing!).
A cursory google search hasn't turned up any proof either way yet. Did anything you were reading cite sources that you could consult for more info on this legend?

[Nick the DSM]

like black watch is blue and green?

tahts an interesting story bout the queen commissioning a tartan.

[macwilkin]

like black watch is blue and green?

tahts an interesting story bout the queen commissioning a tartan.

The nickname of the Royal Highland Regiment, "Black Watch", doesn't refer to the Government Sett's colours per se. Some sources believe that it originated from the fact that the Independent Highland Companies, the ancestors of the RHR, were raised origianally as a paramilitary police force to "watch" the Highlands after the 1715 Jacobite Rebellion. Some historians now believe that the term "Black" referred to their role in surpressing "blackmail" as part of their duties. (Scottish Military Historical Society)

Regards,

Todd

[Nick the DSM]

The nickname of the Royal Highland Regiment, "Black Watch", doesn't refer to the Government Sett's colours per se. Some sources believe that it originated from the fact that the Independent Highland Companies, the ancestors of the RHR, were raised origianally as a paramilitary police force to "watch" the Highlands after the 1715 Jacobite Rebellion. Some historians now believe that the term "Black" referred to their role in surpressing "blackmail" as part of their duties. (Scottish Military Historical Society)

Regards,

Todd

just joshin ya dude!

thanks for the info though!

[Fedgunner]

Matt Newsome's article on Solid Color kilts states:

The whole article can be found here: http://albanach.org/solid_kilt.htm

Of course this doesn't mean the Queen didn't commission a tartan for him, just that he seems to have usually worn a solid colored kilt. Too bad it wasn't brown (Zing!).
A cursory google search hasn't turned up any proof either way yet. Did anything you were reading cite sources that you could consult for more info on this legend?

It is the lack of scources that prompted this thread.

The upside is that now I have an excuse to obtain a tweed kilt!

[TheKiltedWonder]

It is the lack of scources that prompted this thread.

The upside is that now I have an excuse to obtain a tweed kilt!

Fair enough. I will note that houseoftartan.co.uk dates the Broun tartan (I believe it's the one you are discussing) to the 1850 edition of the Scott Adie collection. If that is the case, then this story seems to fall apart. Prince Albert was still alive in 1850. 11 years later he died and Victoria sought solace in the highlands.
If anyone has access to that book, it would answer this definitively.

[Mr. MacDougall]

Oddly enough, that movie is in my NetFlix Queue.