Tartan name

[OC Richard]

this



That fellow, I'd guess, had no name whatsoever for the pattern of his outfit. It was probably just 'my green outfit'.

Nowadays we call it MacDonald Lord Of The Isles (hunting). There's also an Allen Brothers 'MacDonald of the Isles' tartan.

[LPF]

Thanks, would you happen to know the tartan name?

[Domehead]

What OC Richard is saying...
The tartan is known as "MacDonald Lord of the Isles sett".
However, it can be had in two colourways:
(1) Sage green Ground and Dark Green over check - as in the example you (LPF) sourced
(2) Sage Green Ground and Blue over check - as in numerous tartanological MSs, notably D.W. Stewart's Scottish Tartans Old & Rare, 1893

Domehead

[LPF]

I thank you both very much, it pays to go to the experts.

[figheadair]

It's called MacDonald Lord of the Isles Hunting or often more simply Lord of the Isles Hunting. This cloth looks to be the version in Lochcarron's Strome weight.

There is some disagreement over whether the darker colour should be green or blue. The Chief wears the green/blue version which he regards as his own and that the green/green version should be for his clansmen, which is how it's usually woven commercially. Having viewed the original c1760 portrait from which the sett is taken I believe that the blue/green setting is the historically correct one i.e. that given by Stewart in his Old & Rare. I have a rather fine (colour not weight) plaid in the b/g setting that I wove from naturally dyed yarn and which I'll post for comparison when I get a moment..

[Domehead]

Looking forward, Figheadair. I'm off to work, but I have a question re: the naming convention of this tartan which I'll follow with later.
And, OC Richard, thanks for posting the image of the painting. I've not seen it before. May I crop it out?

Domehead.

[Riverkilt]

My favorite tartan. My ancestors are from Uig and Staffin, Skye.



When I got mine, some years ago, it was only available in 12 ounce "dancer's weight" from Lochcarron but I've had no trouble at all with this weight cloth. It is a most beautiful tartan.

[figheadair]

As promised. Handwoven and natural dyes (indigo and weld).





Ref the date of the Hunting suffix, I checked Old & Rare where it's so called and therefore as this was not produced commercially before Stewart's 1893 publication I guess we have him to blame.

[Nathan]

this



That fellow, I'd guess, had no name whatsoever for the pattern of his outfit. It was probably just 'my green outfit'.

Nowadays we call it MacDonald Lord Of The Isles (hunting). There's also an Allen Brothers 'MacDonald of the Isles' tartan.

Sorry, just to clarify, who exactly is depicted in this portrait?
(edit: Never-mind, I think it's Sir Alexander Macdonald 1744-1795. 9th Baronet of Sleat and 1st Baron Macdonald of Slate)
Also, his kilt looks to be pleated in the front. Was this ever common?

[Riverkilt]

Thanks for the band pic O.C. Some years ago at the Phoenix games some self appointed expert in the clan tent informed me that ONLY Prince Charles was authorized to wear this tartan. Told him Lochcarron would be real sad to hear that since they sell so much of it. I'd had a necktie in this tartan for some 30 years. I was so irritated I called the Clan Donald USA guru's and they all assured me there was no problem with wearing this tartan. I knew that, but nice to have the official word.

So, next games I went looking for him to tell him what for but couldn't find him. Lady at the clan tent told me he was so rude and stupid to everyone that they asked him to please not come back this year. So, never got to give him what for, but did get it clear about neckties and high school bands, and Lochcarron being able to wear and sell this most lovely tartan.