Ancient tartan patern

[tetley88mark]

That is precisely what weathered tartans are supposed to do. They are intended to represent the fading of time/weather/wear, and in Matt's example it's almost a perfect job.

which seems to me to make ancient tartans somewhat redundant in that field

[M. A. C. Newsome]

the weathered actually looks closer to the faded one then the ancient

Could be a trick of the photograph. In person, the faded portion of the green in the kilt was definitely a light green, not a brown as it is woven in the "weathered" color scheme.

[figheadair]

Could be a trick of the photograph. In person, the faded portion of the green in the kilt was definitely a light green, not a brown as it is woven in the "weathered" color scheme.

Nor has the red become darker as is also the case in both Weathered and Reproduction colours.

[M. A. C. Newsome]

Nor has the red become darker as is also the case in both Weathered and Reproduction colours.

Correct. I was actually surprised that the faded red actually looked rather orange.

[Slowburn]

It might also be good to note that the sheep breeds available to highland mills up untill the late 1800's were the Norther European variety known as the Scottish dunface. A speciecs now extinct. This might be a contributing factor on dyed wool avaiable before this time. The wool might not have been entirely white ading deeper tone to the finished product.

[Tobus]

which seems to me to make ancient tartans somewhat redundant in that field

I wouldn't really say redundant is the right word. They do have a different look between them. The 'ancient' color schemes aren't really supposed to look weathered, where greens turn to brown and such. It's just supposed to be a lighter color scheme than modern tartans, maybe in the attempt to represent less effective dyeing technique, but still in 'new' condition. Whereas 'weathered' tartans are supposed to look like time-worn heirlooms.

Regardless of the intent behind the different color schemes, they do each have a look of their own, which lend themselves suitable for different occasions. So it's possible to have three different kilts that look different from each other, but all in the same tartan, which I find refreshing.

[SlackerDrummer]

Nor has the red become darker as is also the case in both Weathered and Reproduction colours.

Correct. I was actually surprised that the faded red actually looked rather orange.

In whose Weathered and Reproduction colors do you mean, Peter? My first pipe band wore the Weathered Hunting MacRae and the red stripe was very orangey and not dark at all.

[figheadair]

In whose Weathered and Reproduction colors do you mean, Peter? My first pipe band wore the Weathered Hunting MacRae and the red stripe was very orangey and not dark at all.

I would describe yours as Weathered colours. In Dalgliesh's Reproduction range, which other sought to replicate as 'Weathered' without breaching copyright, the reds were darker.