The arisaid and other women's tartan clothing

**figheadair** · 21st May 16, 12:29 AM

I have a mind to turn my attention to the arisaid and other traditional uses of tartan by women. There is a fair amount about it circulating on the web, much of it rubbish, and I think it would be an interesting exercise to try and capture what we know and can deduce from the available evidence.

Take for example this image which is cited as a Culloden era example of a woman wearing an arisaid (James Basire c1745).

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Basire lived 1730-1802 and it seems very unlikley that he published this engraving at age 15!

**Profane James** · 21st May 16, 05:19 AM

I am interested in this as well....

**bonnie heather** · 21st May 16, 06:52 AM

Since I'm a lady and make things with tartan every day, I'm very interested in this topic.

People have asked me about tartan garments for women in that time period, especially because of their interest in the Outlander series. I'd like to learn what's authentic and what is not.

Thanks so much for bringing up the subject and sharing your knowledge.

**freep** · 21st May 16, 08:28 AM

I make no claims as to the scholarship of the link below but perhaps it will be of interest:

http://www.tartansauthority.com/high...ess-for-women/

**Tarheel** · 21st May 16, 08:33 AM

My thoughts go to the uses a woman would have for wool fabric. A shawl could be added to a cradle or bassinet to keep an infant toasty. It would be hard to find an example because of everyday wear and tear of those items. Maybe there are examples in paintings or old wood blocks.

**freep** · 21st May 16, 08:57 AM

Also: http://www.historichighlanders.com/attire.htm

**figheadair** · 21st May 16, 01:16 PM

Originally Posted by freep

I make no claims as to the scholarship of the link below but perhaps it will be of interest:

http://www.tartansauthority.com/high...ess-for-women/

A reasonable guide but it's essentially a conglomeration of other references without employing any academic thought to what was said by previous writers.

Originally Posted by freep

Also: http://www.historichighlanders.com/attire.htm

This whole article needs to be read with caution, there's quite a lot that's just plain wrong.

Both are examples of why there is a fresh need to go back to the original source materiall, examine it and try and make sense of what was written, when and why.

**freep** · 21st May 16, 01:34 PM

Originally Posted by figheadair

A reasonable guide but it's essentially a conglomeration of other references without employing any academic thought to what was said by previous writers.
This whole article needs to be read with caution, there's quite a lot that's just plain wrong.
Both are examples of why there is a fresh need to go back to the original source materiall, examine it and try and make sense of what was written, when and why.

If only there were a historian that had done as you suggest!

**ASinclair** · 21st May 16, 01:41 PM

I'm very interested to see the results of your research Peter. Thanks for taking on this project.

**Pleater** · 22nd May 16, 06:52 AM

Originally Posted by figheadair

Take for example this image which is cited as a Culloden era example of a woman wearing an arisaid (James Basire c1745).

Basire lived 1730-1802 and it seems very unlikley that he published this engraving at age 15!

At that age he could have completed an apprenticeship. Children who would be thought of as school age now were important wage earners back then.

Anne the Pleater