Rob Roy kilt

[Morris at Heathfield]

The tartan is the same as what Liam Neeson wore when portraying Rob Roy in the 1995 film.

[ardchoille]

The tartan is the same as what Liam Neeson wore when portraying Rob Roy in the 1995 film.

Oh, well that's Hollywood for you. The tartan that most people know as the Rob Roy tartan (red and black check) is actually the red and black MacGregor tartan. Here's an explanation of the situation by Sir Malcolm MacGregor, Chief of Clan Gregor.

The nice looking tartan David White is wearing looks to be similar to the Aberdeen University tartan. Hmm.. maybe I should add that one to my wish list

[Morris at Heathfield]

Well, I think it does bear a vague resemblance to the MacGregor of Glengyle/Deeside tartan. I'm not sure why Hollywood thinks 18th-century (or 13th-century for that matter) Highlanders were so fond of earth tones, though.

As for the Red and Black MacGregor tartan, I have no strong opinions on its origins and use, but I do wonder why Pryse Campbell was portrayed wearing it (along with two other tartans) in 1762.

[Freelander Sporrano]

I see nothing off gaurd .. Nice looking kilt

[Finn]

Looking good! Are you going to be in Matt's catalogue too? <g>

[M. A. C. Newsome]

I think people here are trying to make some association between the "Rob Roy movie tartan" and the actual Clan MacGregor. That's erroneous, and not really the point of the tartan.

The tartan in this case is called "Rob Roy" because it was the tartan worn in the movie of that name. Not because it has any historical association with the real Rob Roy or any association with the Clan MacGregor at all. In that respect it is a fashion tartan, pure and simple, and trying to draw comparisons between it and any actual Clan MacGregor tartan is besides the point.

As to the Highlanders preferring earth-tones, we do know that one purpose of the tartan was originally camoflauge. From George Buchanan's Rerum Scoticarum Historia, written in 1582 (translation from the original Latin by James Aikman c. 1827)

Their ancestors wore plaids of many colours, and numbers still retain this custom but the majority now in their dress prefer a dark brown, imitating very nearly the leaves of the heather, that when lying upon the heath in the day, they may not be discovered by the apprearance of their clothes.

[Morris at Heathfield]

I think people here are trying to make some association between the "Rob Roy movie tartan" and the actual Clan MacGregor. That's erroneous, and not really the point of the tartan. The tartan in this case is called "Rob Roy" because it was the tartan worn in the movie of that name. Not because it has any historical association with the real Rob Roy or any association with the Clan MacGregor at all. In that respect it is a fashion tartan, pure and simple, and trying to draw comparisons between it and any actual Clan MacGregor tartan is besides the point.

The problem here is one of name resolution. I don't think anyone who has seen the Rob Roy tartan would mistake it for the Rob Roy tartan, but you can see (and have seen in this thread) how difficulties may arise when referring to one or the other in speech or text. I suppose using "Rob Roy movie" (and being sure to include the "movie" part) when referring to this tartan is a simple enough solution. Of course, there may be more than one movie.... (Fortunately, in the Disney movie, at least, he's wearing the usual clan tartan.)

As to the Highlanders preferring earth-tones, we do know that one purpose of the tartan was originally camoflauge.

Yes, I suppose in Rob Roy's case, earth tones would actually make a lot of sense.

I don't recall the picture

Well then, let me refresh your memory:

Since it's the simplest imaginable tartan, it's probably pretty common through the history of woven fabric!

Quite possibly. The MacGregors have claimed it as one of their clan tartans since at least 1816, though. As far as I know, nobody disputes that claim. Whether it was widely associated with the MacGregor clan before the 19th century, however, is open to question, in my opinion. But who knows? It could be Pryse Campbell was a Rob Roy fan.

[IrishGodfather]

Looking sharp my friend!!!

[Arlen]

Looking very, very good there.
And the photographers didn't need to be professionals when the kilted gent looks so sharp!

[Coemgen]

Wow! You wear that very well!