Tartan Research

Below are links to a number of research articles that I hope will enable those with a deeper interest in the history of tartan to read into areas of the subject in greater detail. The articles, which are copyright, are my own work/opinion and other may differ in their interpretation of particular facts. My observations and conclusions are based on over 35 years of study and are as logical and accurate in light of present knowledge. 

 

GENERAL ARTICLES A Regional Motif in old tartans from Appin and Lorn Cockburn Collection Joined Plaids - Settings & Construction Musings on the Arisaid and other female dress Proscription - Tartan Ban: Fact or Fiction Old & Rare Scottish Tartans - A Critique Selvedge Marks on early Military Tartan Selvedge Techniquies Sett Sticks - Fact or Fiction The Use of Colour in Tartan TARTANS 42nd Band Tartan 64th Regt - Loudoun's Highlanders 78th Regt - Fraser's Highlanders 79th Regt - Cameron Highlanders - the original setting Balmoral Buchanan Cameron of Lochiel Crieff with Drab Culloden - A Reappraisal Dalrymple of Castleton Dunblane Fraser of Struy - A Reconstruction Glenorchy - the original setting Inverness, Earl of Jacobite Lord of the Isles MacColl, Origins of MacDonald of Borrodale MacDonald of Belfinlay (Clanranald Red or Full Dress) MacDonald of Glenaladale MacDonald of Glencoe MacDonald of Kingsburgh MacDonnell of Keppoch MacDougall - the original setting MacGregor Black and Red (Rob Roy) MacRae of Ardintoul Murray of Ochtertyre Murray of Tullibardine - Early Use of Murray of Tullibardine - a Reappraisal Rothesay, Duke of Royal Company of Archers The Prince's Own - Lumsden: An Error in Translation Stewart of Fingask - Fact or Fiction Strathearn

ARTIFACTS A 16th century tartan found in Glen Affric A Foundling Token from 1756 A Highland Revival Kilt made from an Old Plaid A Jacobite Era Coat from Forfarshire A Jacobite Era Highland Suit An early Highland Revival Coat c1780-85 An 18th Century Barred Blanket An 18th Century Maclaine Plaid Ancient Caledonia Society Coat c1786 Barred Blanket at Blair Castle Barred Blanket Initialled CY & dated 1726 Crubin Plaid, The Culloden House Bed Hangings Isabella MacTavish's Wedding Dress c1785 - A Reappraisal MacDuff Kilt c1800-20 MacGregor - Highland Revival Drawstring Plaid Moir Plaid - a Cromar relic of Culloden Plaid given to the Countess of Eglinton by Pr Ch Ed Portion of joined plaiding - Pr Ch Ed tartan Plaid given to Lady MacKintosh of Moy Hall by Pr Ch Ed Portion of a Plaid - MacGregor of Glengyle? Strathspey Volunteers Waistcoat - A Re-used Plaid Tartan worn by Prince Charles in 1745 Tartan of an Unnamed Jacobite Lady Two old Plaids found in Nova Scotia Unnamed C18th Plaid - dated 1748 Unnamed C18th Plaid - dated 1775 Unnamed C18th Plaiding - dated 1780 Maj Grant Unnamed C18th Plaid - dated 1785 Unnamed C18th Plaid - dated 1796 Unnamed_C18th_Plaid-1 Unnamed C18th Plaiding #1 Unnamed C18th Plaiding #2 Unnamed C18th Jacobite Plaid from Carlisle Unnamed C18th Plaid from Bridge of Cally Unnamed C18th Plaid from Dunollie Unnamed C18th Plaid from Glenbuchat Unnamed C18th Plaid from Nethybridge Unnamed C19th Plaid attributed to Flora MacDonald Unnamed Plaid from Prince Edward Isle #2 Unnamed C18th Plaid - Wilsons' (Aberdeen?) Unnamed_C18th_Plaid - Wilsons' Fancy sett Wilsons of Bannockburn's specimens in old sample books

Sponsored Research

There is such a lot still to do with literally dozens of pieces of tartan, clothing, plaids and portraits still to be examined. If you would like to help preserve Scotland's unique tartan heritage you might like to sponsor a particular project by helping to defray the costs of travel, access etc then please contact me.