When I was looking for the Campbell of Cawdor tartan it looked like one of the smaller mills did a darker version than Lochcarron...I, of course, would have prefered a darker version if I could have gotten it. There was some discussion about Duncan's kilt from MOTG...the consensus was that it was Hunting Stewart but it was a very dark version of it that must have been woven at a smaller mill. The old canard that "colors on your monitor may vary" certainly applies...too bad that there's not some kind of reference standard that could be applied. I know from personal experience that photographing fabric, whether with digital or conventional film, is difficult because the sensor/film emulsion reacts differently to the light reflected from the dyes in the fabric...several years of shooting Sears towels for the catalog and being driven to the point of madness trying to get this year's shot to match up with last year's shot teaches you valuable lessons.

I guess that all you can do is ask for a swatch ahead of time...which means tempering your desire and being even more patient while waiting for that new kilt that you so richly deserve.

One of the nice things about Highland Games is that the merchants bring the swatch books along so you can get at least a basic idea of what's goin' on.

Best

AA