Tartan-wearing conventions among Scots

[longhuntr74]

Fun thread! Thanks, all...

Agreed...fun thread. I read a very enlightening piece from a well-known Tartan Scholar (I think it was Matt Newsome) on the origins of tartans and the "falsity" (my word, not his) of the notion that all of these tartans are deeply rooted in family and clan connections...in fact they were imposed by the Monarchy in the 1800s and then commercialized by the tartan weavers...post Culloden. I wish I could remember what site it was on now. Anyways...agreed on the interest in conducting more geneaological research on the family roots...but in the meantime, I'm not going to feel guilty about wearing a tartan that I like either.

[MacKay71]

I wish I could remember what site it was on now.

Ablanach.org

[macwilkin]

Agreed...fun thread. I read a very enlightening piece from a well-known Tartan Scholar (I think it was Matt Newsome) on the origins of tartans and the "falsity" (my word, not his) of the notion that all of these tartans are deeply rooted in family and clan connections...in fact they were imposed by the Monarchy in the 1800s and then commercialized by the tartan weavers...post Culloden. I wish I could remember what site it was on now. Anyways...agreed on the interest in conducting more geneaological research on the family roots...but in the meantime, I'm not going to feel guilty about wearing a tartan that I like either.

I don't know if I would use the word "imposed"...the State visit of George IV to Edinburgh certainly helped fuel the tartan mania, but there were other factors, such as the weaving firms like Wilson's of Bannockburn, that helped create it as well, and before 1822 when George wore his pink tights under the kilt. :mrgreen:

Regards,

Todd

[gilmore]

Agreed...fun thread. I read a very enlightening piece from a well-known Tartan Scholar (I think it was Matt Newsome) on the origins of tartans and the "falsity" (my word, not his) of the notion that all of these tartans are deeply rooted in family and clan connections...in fact they were imposed by the Monarchy in the 1800s and then commercialized by the tartan weavers...post Culloden. I wish I could remember what site it was on now. ...

Not accurate. There are a few tartans that were associated with specific clans before Culloden. E.g., Red Morrison/Gilmore.

[Stratherrick]

The whole idea about wearing a tartan is that you're, intentionally or otherwise, identifying with a clan. Feel free to wear what you like, I say. If I saw somebody in one of the many Fraser kilts who wasn't either a Fraser or from one of the associated septs, I'd still call them a brother or sister if they wanted me to!

Slainte

Bruce

[Sir William]

If I saw somebody in one of the many Fraser kilts who wasn't either a Fraser or from one of the associated septs, I'd still call them a brother or sister if they wanted me to!

Bruce

I often thought of getting a Fraser kilt, though I'm not a Fraser. My reason is that I spent almost 15 years reenacting Fraser's Highlanders from both the French and Indian War and the American Revolution so feel I have a certain connection. But since kilts are expensive, I've settled for just wearing a couple of Fraser tartan ties.

[Nick the DSM]

Not accurate. There are a few tartans that were associated with specific clans before Culloden. E.g., Red Morrison/Gilmore.

I thought that tartan was dated 1747? You could be right though.

[gilmore]

I thought that tartan was dated 1747? You could be right though.

"The tartan is based on a sett which was first found in 1935, when an old Morrison family bible was uncovered in a Black House which was to be demolished on Lewis. The piece of tartan was wrapped around the bible, and inside a note referencing the sett was dated 1745."

Since the existence of the sett preceded the writing of the note, the tartan itself is of course likely older than that. But let's be modest.

The battle of Culloden occured in 1746

[Nick the DSM]

"The tartan is based on a sett which was first found in 1935, when an old Morrison family bible was uncovered in a Black House which was to be demolished on Lewis. The piece of tartan was wrapped around the bible, and inside a note referencing the sett was dated 1745."

Since the existence of the sett preceded the writing of the note, the tartan itself is of course likely older than that. But let's be modest.

The battle of Culloden occured in 1746

Thanks, I got my dates messed up then.

[BoldHighlander]

Not accurate. There are a few tartans that were associated with specific clans before Culloden. E.g., Red Morrison/Gilmore.

You beat me to it