1790 MacDuff Long Overdue Photo & 3rd Run Invitation

**Orionson** · 3rd August 17, 06:26 AM

I don't know why it has taken me so long, but I have just changed my Avatar to a recent photo of the 1790 MacDuff Paul Henry Kilt with the Five Sisters of Kintail in the background. The photo was taken from the old Drover's Road at Ratagan.

For those who may be interested in owning some of this historic Tartan, I invite you to join us for the Third Run. This time, we are going with something just a wee bit different. Tbe Third Run of the 1790 MacDuff Tartan is being woven in magnificent Original Harris Tweed by none other than Reg Amor of Harris Tweed Tartans, in Shawbost in the Isle of Lewis. Here is a link to Reg's Facebook Page.

https://www.facebook.com/HarrisTweedHandwovenbyReginaldAmor/

As with the wonderful first two runs by Robin Elliot, of Andrew Elliot Weavers in Selkirk, every effort will be made to recreate the colours and feel ~ the "hand" ~ of the original homespun, natural dyed 1790 MacDuff Tartan Kilt which is one of the cornerstones of the Scottish Tartans Authority Collection.

Here is a link to Matthew Newsome's wonderful photos of the original Kilt. These are the photos which started me on this journey back in 2012.

http://scottishtartans.org/gallery/macduff%20kilt.php

If you would like to join the select few across the World who have embarked on this special historic Tartan adventure, please do just drop me a personal message. I will be more than happy to answer any and all questions you may have.

Soar Alba,

Orionson

**Orionson** · 3rd August 17, 06:49 AM

These are photos of the First Run with the Original 1790 MacDuff homespun Kilt resting on the 18oz worsted cloth still on the Loom at Andrew Elliot's in Selkirk. The sett is a large 10"x10".

With some of the bobbins. There are two distinct greens in the Tartan, Olive in the weft (seen here) and a darker, almost Forest in the warp (not seen here) which creates a unique and very attractive mix overall.

Finally, a link below to a short video of the 1790 MacDuff Tartan on the Loom.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iK-wuLvUVrQ

**OC Richard** · 4th August 17, 02:46 AM

Lovely.

These sorts of projects are so fascinating, especially when executed to perfection as you have done.

Were I a MacDuff I'd be in for some tartan, but alas!

**Nomad** · 4th August 17, 03:31 AM

Stunning picture and great looking kilt, good luck with the quest - unfortunately not for me as I'm not yet brave enough to go for such bold colours.

**derosa** · 4th August 17, 04:47 AM

How does this differ from regular tartan? Coarser, thicker, or just color differences due to dying style? Seems like an interesting venture.

**figheadair** · 4th August 17, 06:04 AM

Originally Posted by derosa

How does this differ from regular tartan? Coarser, thicker, or just color differences due to dying style? Seems like an interesting venture.

Larger setting than normal, difference shade of green in the warp and weft and all shades and sett size matched to the original kilt.

**Orionson** · 4th August 17, 06:08 AM

Originally Posted by OC Richard

Lovely.

These sorts of projects are so fascinating, especially when executed to perfection as you have done.

Were I a MacDuff I'd be in for some tartan, but alas!

Thank you for your compliment, Richard. Coming from you, it is high praise, indeed. I have always had great respect for your own attention to detail when it comes to the choices you make regarding the reenactment accoutrement of your Regimental Kit.

So, I have a solution for you... the Red MacDuff Tartan has direct links to the great 51st Highland Division going back to 1937 and continuing to today through the Scottish Transport Regiment. (see the link below) In fact, when I was deciding about what pleating to go for with this Kilt, I even spoke with the Pipe Major of the Fife based Regimental Pipes & Drums who still wear the Red MacDuff. Note the solid green waistband on my Kilt which is a deliberate nod to the Tartans' use as a Military Tartan. The Kilt is also pleated to the Green Block in a Military style.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/89248380@N07/8447508910

I would be delighted to have you on board with this project.

**Orionson** · 4th August 17, 06:43 AM

Originally Posted by Nomad

Stunning picture and great looking kilt, good luck with the quest - unfortunately not for me as I'm not yet brave enough to go for such bold colours.

Thanks for your most kind compliment.

Regarding the colours, in person the overall effect of the colour mix is actually quite subdued. The red is softer and more muted than on the modern reds more commonly seen. The two distinctly discernable greens makes for a very interesting and unusual impact. The blue fair pops in certain lights and is quite unlike any of the modern blues I've seen about. The darkest line, often mistaken for black, is actually a very dark brown which serves to link all of the fields of colour together very nicely in a subtle sort of way.

The Tartan is especially effective on the Hill in Autumn after the bracken has turned to it's distinctive rust colour.

I wear this Kilt every day and it is very easy to dress up, or down ~ from cutting, splitting and stacking wood to attending business meetings to going to Black Tie dinners. (Very rarely, with the formal dinners. There was one only two weeks ago, but it was the first since my daughter got married in 2013.)

Buck up your courage. Join us. You will not regret it.

**Orionson** · 4th August 17, 05:15 PM

One of the things I like most about Paul Henry's wonderful kilts are his imaginative and very creative bespoke linings. Paul usually surprises the commissioner with something he knows to be special, or important to them. I wanted to use mine as an homage to my Dad, and the original Kenneth MacLeay painting featuring this same tartan.

**Orionson** · 4th August 17, 05:41 PM

I noticed that the links below were not working normally. Here is a way to follow them ~ if you place the cursor at the start of the link then hold the left click down dragging along to highlight the link, and then right click once, you will get a drop down menu where you will find "go to....the link", click that and the page will open in a new screen. This will work. Reg's Home Page and Matt's pictures of the Original 1790 MacDuff Kilt are well worth a visit.

Originally Posted by Orionson

I don't know why it has taken me so long, but I have just changed my Avatar to a recent photo of the 1790 MacDuff Paul Henry Kilt with the Five Sisters of Kintail in the background. The photo was taken from the old Drover's Road at Ratagan.

For those who may be interested in owning some of this historic Tartan, I invite you to join us for the Third Run. This time, we are going with something just a wee bit different. Tbe Third Run of the 1790 MacDuff Tartan is being woven in magnificent Original Harris Tweed by none other than Reg Amor of Harris Tweed Tartans, in Shawbost in the Isle of Lewis. Here is a link to Reg's Facebook Page.

https://www.facebook.com/HarrisTweedHandwovenbyReginaldAmor/

As with the wonderful first two runs by Robin Elliot, of Andrew Elliot Weavers in Selkirk, every effort will be made to recreate the colours and feel ~ the "hand" ~ of the original homespun, natural dyed 1790 MacDuff Tartan Kilt which is one of the cornerstones of the Scottish Tartans Authority Collection.

Here is a link to Matthew Newsome's wonderful photos of the original Kilt. These are the photos which started me on this journey back in 2012.

http://scottishtartans.org/gallery/macduff%20kilt.php

If you would like to join the select few across the World who have embarked on this special historic Tartan adventure, please do just drop me a personal message. I will be more than happy to answer any and all questions you may have.

Soar Alba,

Orionson