Hard Tartan

[Orvis]

Thanks to all for responding so far.

My books (primarily James Scarlett's works and Isobel Grant's "Highland Folkways") inform me that "hard" fabrics are woven from tightly-spun worsted yarn made from long combed wool fibers. Weavers have told me that the way the cloth is finished (fulled) has something to do with it, too. I've had a chance to examine a sample of hard tartan, and it did have a "hard" rough feel, as opposed to "soft" tartan (made from shorter carded wool fibers), which definitely has a softer gentler feel. Which probably explains why hard tartan has disappeared and soft tartan is universally used today for kilts.

My 1745 living history group is the Appin Historical Society, which operates out of the DC metro area. We participate primarily in living history camps at local (within a couple hours' drive) Scottish/Celtic games, although we do participate in the "Road to London" field event in Pennsylvania each year.

Looking forward to hearing from all y'all.

Slainte,
Gerry