78th Fraser Highlanders tartan

[figheadair]

Yes, I would say that is correct, this tartan definitely has much brighter colours

No, this tartan has different colours from that work by the regiment.

[Steve Ashton]

Each garrison of the 78th Fraser Highlanders can order their own fabric so some are different weights and slightly different colors.

The fabric in my first photo is the fabric used by the Vancouver, BC Garrison. It is 13oz and lighter in shade than the fabric used by the Victoria, BC Garrison.

The fabric used by the Victoria Garrison is woven in 16oz and the shades are darker or brighter as can be seen in this pipe ribbon that I just completed for them.



The Garrison in Ottawa now prefer a version with darker orange and green but in years past used the lighter versions.




The 78th Fraser Highlanders Pipe Band was once part of the larger organization but is now a separate entity. They just re-did their uniforms and darkened the colors again.



Now the green is predominant instead of the orange.

The design of the 78th Fraser Highlander Tartan is inspired by the painting "The Death of General Wolfe" by Benjamin West which now hangs in the National Gallery of Canada in Ottawa. (There are at least 4 different versions of this same painting)



Simon Fraser can be seen behind the figure of Sir William Johnson in the green coat. The basis for the current Tartan comes from the small part of the painting just under Johnson's arm where it appears that Simon Fraser is wearing a predominately orange Tartan.
It is stated on the website of the 78th Fraser Highlanders "Our decision to go with a simple red and green Inverness district type tartan was based on portraits and accounts, and having found a piece of this tartan in the possession of a descendent of the Regiment. "

Each of these is different from SRT 5396 "The 78th Highlanders Ross-shire Buffs were raised in 1793 by Frances Humbertson Mackenzie (1754 - 1815). In 1881 they were amalgamated with the 72nd Duke of Albany's Own Highlanders to form the Seaforth Highlanders. The Duke of Albany's Own had been raised in 1778 by Kenneth, last Earl of Seaforth as the 72nd Highlanders."



And all are different from SRT #1247 the Sobieski Fraser.

[OC Richard]

What makes it confusing is that there is a recently designed tartan for the pipe band called The 78th Fraser Highlanders Pipe Band, and this tartan is being called "78th Fraser Highlanders". I suppose to make it clear that it's the modern Pipe Band's tartan it should be called the "78th Fraser Highlanders Pipe Band" tartan.

Here's the thread that discusses this tartan, the tartan of Simon Fraser University Pipe Band, and the more usual Fraser tartan:

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...-tartan-94401/

[Luke MacGillie]

There is finally definitive proof of the 77th wearing the same tartan as the 42nd, just with only one selvage having the herringbone, and I am on the trail of proof regarding both the Tartan and the lace pattern that was approved for the 78th and probably worn for their initial issue of uniforms in 57, and then again for 62-63.

That will probably get me PNG'd from certain circles LOL!!!!

[figheadair]

It is stated on the website of the 78th Fraser Highlanders "Our decision to go with a simple red and green Inverness district type tartan was based on portraits and accounts, and having found a piece of this tartan in the possession of a descendent of the Regiment. "

I think I've comprehensively proved this not to be the case.

[Steve Ashton]

I can only quote what is published on the 78th Fraser Highlanders website and also on the Scottish Register of Tartan.

I did not make this up. When I first became the kiltmaker to the Vancouver and Victoria Garrisons I asked about the Tartan. I was given the explanation that they chose a pattern based on Black Watch but changed the colors to Orange based on the Painting of "The Death of General Wolfe".

Yes, I believe that they invented this from nothing.

[BertMcG]

On closer inspection it seems to be the tartan of the 78th Highlanders pipe band that Steve mentioned. Here are a couple of pictures of the actual material








and a picture of the The 78th Fraser Highlanders Pipe Band



I'll PM the people who expressed an interest and now that it seems to be sorted as to what tartan it actually is if anyone else is interested let me know. And thanks everyone for their input on this

[figheadair]

On closer inspection it seems to be the tartan of the 78th Highlanders pipe band that Steve mentioned. Here are a couple of pictures of the actual material

I'll PM the people who expressed an interest and now that it seems to be sorted as to what tartan it actually is if anyone else is interested let me know. And thanks everyone for their input on this

It's a colour reversal of the ref Fraser - see post #7 here.

[BertMcG]

It's a colour reversal of the ref Fraser - see post #7 here.

Ah yes, I like your graphic in that post too, it shows really well how it evolved.