Why don't more people wear old non-clan tartans?

[figheadair]

@Matt Newsome: So we have been discussing this modest winter project, compiling a list and illustrations, and presumably thread counts/sett counts by which each pre-Culloden tartan could be woven...I smell a grant application coming on...

Wouldn't it be nice if the Scottish Executive (government), the National Museum or the like actually made some money available to preserve the nation's heritage. They've not been particularly interested to date so it would be a welcome departure. I don't count the Tartan Register which frankly is a bit of politicing rubbish that has no expertise or interest in preserving historical information but that's for a different thread.

I originally identified pre-Repeal setts as opposed to pre-Culloden ones because there are a number of traditional type patterns for which the first known example date to c1750-60 but which are true rural type patterns as opposed to the early commercial patterns of Wilsons of Bannockburn that began to appear during the late 1770s.

The principal source of such a project should be extant samples. Some portraits are painted with extraordinary accuracy, others less so and so accuracy is not always possible.

[artificer]

I think it would be fantastic if someone were to resurrect some of the pre-ban tartans and have them woven for sale, or at least have them displayed on their site for small batch custom ala Dalgliesh.

As I have no family tartan myself, and being a bit of a history geek, I'd be inclined to head toward one of this historic tartans, ESPECIALLY if I were going to do a box-pleat like Matt did.

I'd wear it with a big shaggy goat/sheep hair sporran during the day too

[Jock Scot]

Thanks Brian, that's a new one for me. I will see if I can lay my hands on a copy.

[Jock Scot]

What a fascinating thread, it just goes to show that we(me) are never too old to learn. Thanks for all the leads chaps and it looks like I have a spot of reading to do during the coming dark winter evenings.

[BLHS209]

1. People want to wear something with which they have a connection?
2. They don't know about these old patterns?
3. The material is not generally available?
4. The material is, or is perceived to be, more/too expensive?
5. Some other reason?

Although currently my desire is that the tartan be family related, I have been entertaining the idea of going "outside" the family. One reason I enjoy my family pattern is that people recognize it. Even though it is reportedly the oldest know pattern.

With all that being said, I would say that people do not know the old patterns and it is not generally available. I don't know the real statics but I would guess that at least 50% of the members here have kilts that are not family based (I am not including Hamish, that would tilt the numbers too much! )

If this idea develops into you needing help researching etc. I would be interested in helping.

Chris Shepherd

[figheadair]

Although currently my desire is that the tartan be family related, I have been entertaining the idea of going "outside" the family. One reason I enjoy my family pattern is that people recognize it. Even though it is reportedly the oldest know pattern.

With all that being said, I would say that people do not know the old patterns and it is not generally available. I don't know the real statics but I would guess that at least 50% of the members here have kilts that are not family based (I am not including Hamish, that would tilt the numbers too much! )

If this idea develops into you needing help researching etc. I would be interested in helping.

Chris Shepherd

I think you are absolutely right when you say that most people don't know about these older patterns. The fact that they are not generally available does not mean that they are potentially not easily available as short runs and as Matt has mentioned, the cost is not as much as some imagine.

There are certainly historic pieces now in Canada, and undoubtedly the US, which I don't have easy access to and any help in researching would be a great assistance. Perhaps this is more than one winter's project