What 'universal' tartans do you like?

[jfellrath]

I'm in love with the Irish American I got from Scottishkilts.net... also have a Black Watch.

[jjoseph]

black stuart is very striking and I like it a lot. Black watch depends... I like it when the set is larger. I've seen some which look to me more like checks and I didn't care for it.

[billmcc]

My current favorite is the black/grey/lightgrey shades int he "Highland Granite" tartan from MM...

Marton Mills is making a Highland Granite tartan? I don't see it on the MM website. I would be interested in seeing this tartan.

[pdcorlis]

For me its...

1. Isle of Skye
2. County Cavan

I'm really starting to appreciate county and district tartans.

[GlassMan]

My favorite universal is the "fashion tartan" Prince of Wales tartan. I think it looks so elegant.

[O'Neille]

I've found I like my Ireland's National that Rocky made me a lot. My favorite "Universal" is my Black Watch. I would really like an Ireland's National in a Heavier Wool/Polyviscose 5 yd machine sewn true waist kilt. O'Neille

[starbkjrus]

Isle of Skye!

...snip...

Holyrood and Highland Granite are lovely also

I agree with all three of these choices. Very nice.

If an official district tartan can be considered "universal" I'll also add the Carolina District Tartan to my list.

[Bill]

I have a Blackwatch and Stewart Black and I am thinking about Stewart Hunting in the near future.

I was unaware that the Black Stewart was a universal Tartan. I have done some checking and cannot find it listed as such but I am no expert in this. I trace my clan connections to the Stewarts by way of the Sharp sept and use the Black Stewart for my clan tartan. Can any of our resident experts comment on the Black Stewarts' place as a universal or non-universal status?

Disclaimer: I am not a member of the "kilt police" and am a firm believer of "wear the tartan of your choice with pride, respect, and knowlege."

Bill

[bubba]

Nightstalker, Black Watch and Black Stewart along with a couple unnamed fashion setts.

[Monkey@Arms]

I am somewhat new to the whole tartan scene, and have a couple of related questions. I gather mills and makers have designed there own "fashion" or generic tartans like Nightstalker or Pride of Scotland (I recognize that mills inventing new tartans is not really a modern phenomena), anyway when people ask you what clan's tartan that is, what do you say to them?

Why are some older tartans like Stewart or Black Watch universal? (Not trying to stir up controversy, if Stewart's not a good example pick another name, just want to learn.)

Lastly, is there a master list online of the non-clan affiliated tartans (other than the district list)?

Best regards,

Jake