Black Watch Tartan

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

Both it's plain design and what it has represented keeps me away.

I'm not sure "what it has represented" means-- unless it is a veiled "Oirish" statement that I'm not picking up on... nor, as an Irish man, would I care to. Political agendas aside, I'm not a big fan of the "universal tartan" mostly because with civilian wear it looks like something bought at an army surplus store, and seems to find a lot of favour with the white pith helmet brigade at many USA highland games.

[Nanook]

Political agendas aside, I'm not a big fan of the "universal tartan" mostly because with civilian wear it looks like something bought at an army surplus store,

Except that "army surplus" as in army kilts tend to have value comparable, if not in excess of, the value of many civilian kilts. Those "army surplus" kilts were made to very highest standards completely by hand by some of the finest kilmakers (Wm Anderson, Thomas Gordon & Sons, Hector Russel etc.) using heavyweight , robust and water resistant 100% wool cloth from "local" production. We could argue about the merits of (Robert Noble) woollen spun versus (Lochcarron, House of Edgar etc.) worsted wool for kilts but need to agree that the former is the more expensive (and harder wearing) material. The cost to make a proper kilt to pre RRS standards (today's RRS kilts are more or less civilian grade kilts machine made in worsted wool) is in excess of the price of most civilian kilts (more of more expensive cloth and more labour intensive patterns). And on the surplus market? Not cheap either--- or else companies like WPG would not be able to charge $300 USD for vastly inteferior Pakistani knock-offs (with neither the materials nor the workmanship).
"Civilian wear" tends to mean either imported or worsted cloth and I would agree that "Black Watch" looks odd in worsted cloth due to its higher definition of pattern and brighter colours but that's only because it does NOT look like "army" as we've come to expect it. Its still relatively somber compared to many other tartans. Black Watch is not for those that like loud tartans but...

and seems to find a lot of favour with the white pith helmet brigade at many USA highland games.

I can't really imagine... I thought those guys wear either table cloths, canvas or cheap poly-acrylic Sialkotis.

[JimB]

cheap poly-acrylic Sialkotis.

Not familiar with the term Sialkotis....what's that?

[Monkey@Arms]

Not familiar with the term Sialkotis....what's that?

Google is your friend. Nanook is referencing a district in Pakistan, as in the place where the kilt he was describing was manufactured.

Best regards,

Jake

[Streetcar]

(Not that they need my defense!)
The mantra we have so often - or at least used to hear often - on these boards is "Know your Tartan."

The Black Watch has represented many brave fighting men, including the 42nd and 73rd Regiment(s) of Foot before the Childers Reform, as well as the current incarnation.

The have a long and storied service. To ignore all of that in favor of one action is a disservice to the unit and what it really represents.

[Ancienne Alliance]

(Not that they need my defense!)
The mantra we have so often - or at least used to hear often - on these boards is "Know your Tartan."

The Black Watch has represented many brave fighting men, including the 42nd and 73rd Regiment(s) of Foot before the Childers Reform, as well as the current incarnation.

The have a long and storied service. To ignore all of that in favor of one action is a disservice to the unit and what it really represents.

Well said Streetcar.

[puffer]

(Not that they need my defense!)
The mantra we have so often - or at least used to hear often - on these boards is "Know your Tartan."

The Black Watch has represented many brave fighting men, including the 42nd and 73rd Regiment(s) of Foot before the Childers Reform, as well as the current incarnation.

The have a long and storied service. To ignore all of that in favor of one action is a disservice to the unit and what it really represents.

I AGREE !

I for sometime , even though I liked the Tartan, I held back partly because my direct Rel. was a a Black Douglas ) But as Streetcar said, it represents the TARTAN of some VERY BRAVE MEN, who have aided in my FREEDOM.

BTW I have 1 Mil. Issue BW Kilt. I wear it with PRIDE. ( note I am ex military - US Army )

Puffer

[Nervous Jock]

mostly because with civilian wear it looks like something bought at an army surplus store,

rubbish


Unfortunately this diesn't do mine justice