Black Stewart Tartan

[RadioKen]

Okay, it looks like it's finally going to happen! I'm getting my very first purchased kilt! WOOT! We're going with one of Jerry's Thrifty Kilts for now and we decided on the Black Watch tartan. But, OOPS! It's not available in my size right now and I'm going to need to be wearing it in a little over two weeks. So, looking around at the other selections we decided on the Black Stewart tartan. It's available in my size and also in the size that my son needs (we're going to have matching kilts, how cute!)

My question is this: What can anyone tell me about this tartan and its history? When it comes to tartan I believe that one should wear something that they like (or that their spouse/partner/significant-other likes) but that they should also know what it is that they wear. So, I'm here to be educated on the Black Stewart.

~Ken

[McMurdo]

This is from the Scottish Register of Tartans:

http://www.tartanregister.gov.uk/tar....aspx?ref=3996

This sett appears in Paton's collection - Book 4 page 112a. The samples are undated but the collection is known to have been put together around the 1830's, with some additions during the Victorian period. This collection was in the Scottish Tartans Society archive, it has now been returned to the Paton firm at Alloa.

[raibeart_dubh]

I don't know the specific history of this tartan, maybe some of our more learned members can chime in here. I think it is basically a variation on other Stewart tartans but with a black background. I do know that it is a fantastic looking tartan and I just recently ordered one from Jerry in his standard line to wear on my trip to Culloden. I will wear it out of respect and rememberance for Bonnie Prince Charlie and the clans that served his cause. Also, there is a little bit of Stewart blood in my line.

[Phogfan86]

Other than what McMurdo linked you to, I will say that it certainly gets noticed. I wore my KL Kilts Black Stewart running errands this afternoon and had several folks mention it in a positive way.

[Laird O'the Cowcaddens]

I too love the Stewart Black, unfortunately, I went to the SWK website and was prepared to order it and TWO OTHERS but I had a question about some accessories I wanted; I sent an e-mail to them expecting a reply in a timely manner, that was over a week ago. Guess they don't want my busness or are too busy to worry about the one that got away.

[RadioKen]

I too love the Stewart Black, unfortunately, I went to the SWK website and was prepared to order it and TWO OTHERS but I had a question about some accessories I wanted; I sent an e-mail to them expecting a reply in a timely manner, that was over a week ago. Guess they don't want my busness or are too busy to worry about the one that got away.

I've been in a business where I got lots of email and sometimes one would slip by me. It didn't happen very often, but it did happen. I got an email response from Jerry at SWK within a couple of hours on a Sunday, so my suggestion would be that you give him another chance to answer a message from you. Jerry's exceptional customer service is practically a thing of legend around here, so I'm sure that he isn't purposefully ignoring you.

~Ken

[RadioKen]

This is from the Scottish Register of Tartans:

http://www.tartanregister.gov.uk/tar....aspx?ref=3996

Thanks, McMurdo! I would have had no inkling to look there. In fact, I didn't even realize that the Scottish Register of Tartans existed! I'm going to add that one to my book marks along with the STA and the Scottish Tartan Museum.

We're working Scarborough Fair again this year and I'm wearing a kilt this year instead of my velvet tights. I made a phillabeg last year out of some unknown (probably some kind of acrylic or acrylic blend) maroon material and it worked out okay, but I wanted something a little more distinctive this year, which I think the Stewart Black tartan is. I think I may also try to find about 4 yards of a gray or brown wool tweed to wear as a great kilt on those chilly days.

~Ken