Geological tartans

[Owl of Oban]

Being a geologist, I think I really need a kilt in the geo-inspired tartan of the Isle of Mull. Does anyone out there have a picture of the actual fabric? Graphic representations I've seen range from strange to hideous, yet this tartan was supposedly created to mirror rocks on the island....which I can personally attest, are beautiful to behold.

While I'm on the subject, is the Highland Granite tartan really grey, or is it a very muted pink? Granted, granite comes in both colors, but a dull Fionnphort pink I think would be just the ticket.

Thanks in advance. :-D

[Barb T]

Hi Iain

I'm a geologist, too, and I've made a kilt from the Highland Granite tartan and a shirt for my husband (also a geologist) from the Isle of Mull tartan.

The Highland Granite tartan is indeed dark gray, no trace of pink (pretty dark gray actually - more dioritic than granitic). Lochcarron used a twisted gray and black thread for some of the blocks, giving part of the tartan a "heathery" look that is reminiscent of intergrown qtz-fspar-hb or qtz-fspar-bt.

You can find a scan of the tartan that I posted on another thread at

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/s...8&page=2&pp=10

and a picture of the kilt at http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/s...ad.php?t=12999 (scroll down to the second posted picture).

The Isle of Mull tartan is actually quite beautiful. I have a chunk of it at home, and I'll try to remember to bring it in to scan and post.

Cheers!

Barb

[Streetcar]

What a striking tartan!

I really like the subdued appearance of it. I think that just moved into my "top 3 choices" for my first traditional kilt.

Thanks for the photos!

[John M.]

Dang it Barb. Now I'm going to need to save even more money to get a kilt made in that Granite tartan.

BTW. My favorite colors are black & gray, plus I'm such an avid rockhound that people usually think I've been to school as a geologist when I start talking rocks.
I've also started cuting, cabbing & mounting stones for jewelry the past year or so.

Now I'm going to be jonesing until I can get a kilt made with that.

[Barb T]

Yeh, it's a pretty swell tartan. When the young man that I made the kilt for has worn it to Highland games, he has been inundated with questions about what tartan it is. I haven't yet seen another kilt made with the tartan, so it's still pretty unusual.

John M - where do you do most of your rockhounding?

Barb

[John M.]

John M - where do you do most of your rockhounding?

Barb

I'm a Utah rockhound for the most part.

[starbkjrus]

**snip**

Hi Iain

... that is reminiscent of intergrown qtz-fspar-hb or qtz-fspar-bt.

Barb

My word you're multi-talented. You make kilts, write books and understand what the above line means.

Rock on! (groan)

[Barb T]

Ummm, ahhh, it's geological shorthand for a rock containing the minerals quartz, feldspar, and hornblende or quartz, feldspar, and biotite. The quartz and feldspar are light-colored and the hornblende and biotite are black, so, if they're in a rock together, they give it a kind of salt-and-pepper look. Kind of like the Highland Granite tartan. More than you wanted to know, no doubt!!

Barb

[davedove]

Ummm, ahhh, it's geological shorthand for a rock containing the minerals quartz, feldspar, and hornblende or quartz, feldspar, and biotite. The quartz and feldspar are light-colored and the hornblende and biotite are black, so, if they're in a rock together, they give it a kind of salt-and-pepper look. Kind of like the Highland Granite tartan. More than you wanted to know, no doubt!!

Barb

Not only can you learn all about kilts and tartans here on the boards, you can get a geology lesson as well!!