The antiquity of the Lennox tartan

[Morris at Heathfield]

The Lennox tartan was published in 1893 in D.W. Stewart's Old and Rare Scottish Tartans. It was said to come from a 16th-century portrait of the Countess of Lennox which, as I understand it, would make it the oldest known Scottish tartan from the clan era. I have never seen a photograph of the portrait, however, which causes me to remain somewhat skeptical. Does anyone know anything more about this portrait?

[figheadair]

I share you scepticism MoH. Stewart's academic credentials are pretty shot in my book and the Lennox is another example. I've never seen the portrait nor succeeded in finding out where it is but if the original was a miniature as claimed then I very much doubt Stewart's extraction of the sett is very accurate.

The Lennox tartan was published in 1893 in D.W. Stewart's Old and Rare Scottish Tartans. It was said to come from a 16th-century portrait of the Countess of Lennox which, as I understand it, would make it the oldest known Scottish tartan from the clan era. I have never seen a photograph of the portrait, however, which causes me to remain somewhat skeptical. Does anyone know anything more about this portrait?