Wiki wrong tartan

**OC Richard** · 10th November 14, 05:03 AM

I know what you're saying... knock me over with a feather, Wiki has got something wrong!

But it's something that, in the world of tartan and the world of the history of the Scottish regiments, should be basic knowledge.

For those not familiar, the issue is the tartan worn by the 72nd Foot, The Duke Of Albany's Own Highlanders, after 1823, when they were allowed a form of Highland Dress, after 14 years as being dressed as an ordinary non-Highland regiment. (Highland Dress was taken away from six of the eleven existing kilted regiments in 1809.)

The dress that the 72nd was given in 1823 made them unique: instead of the kilt, trews in Prince Charles Edward Stuart tartan, their uniform otherwise matching that of the kilted regiments, with feather bonnets, plaids, etc.

It's annoying to see the tartan of this regiment being often given as Royal Stewart. Yes the two tartans are pretty much the same, the only difference being the size of the red empty block. But in period photographs the two tartans can clearly be distinguished, and there's no excuse for getting it wrong.

Here's Prince Charles Edward Stuart tartan as shown on Scotweb; this is the genuine tartan worn by the 72nd

Here's the Wiki article. You have to scroll down the timeline to 1823 to see their trews being listed as Royal Stewart.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/72nd_Re...wn_Highlanders

As they say photographs don't lie and here are the actual gentlemen in 1855

There were kilts in the regiment too! But worn only by the pipers.

In artists' renderings it's hit and miss. Some artists got the tartan right

Some artists render the tartan in such a way that it might be mistaken for Royal Stewart; perhaps paintings like this is where the misinformation comes from

And in a modern book the tartan is clearly intended to be Royal Stewart