Arran tartans

**OC Richard** · 3rd May 11, 03:56 AM

Sorry if this has been covered before... I did a few searches on here and couldn't find anything. (I did wonder why when I searched "arran" here that results included numerous "aran" ones, even when I searched "arran -aran".)

In searching the internet I find these Arran tartans the most:

It's obvious that they are all variants of the same design.

The top, WR381/STA381, is listed as being by Strathmore. A couple sites mention this tartan as originally being a House of Edgar tartan designed in 1982.

The second, STA4088, is listed as being by Lochcarron, and is the same design with the pairs of grey lines switched to green.

The third, STA3018, is also listed as being by Strathmore, and appears to be the same as the second tartan above but here the pairs of red/black/white areas seperated by grey have been merged into a single red/black/white area.

My questions are 1) are any of these currently in production in kilt weight fabric and 2) does anyone know more about the origin of these.

I searched Lochcarron's site and no "Arran" or "Isle of Arran" is listed in any of their tartan weights. I also searched Strathmore's site and couldn't find either Arran or Isle of Arran.

**M. A. C. Newsome** · 3rd May 11, 04:21 AM

This tartan was originally designed in 1982 by MacNaughtons (House of Edgar). The original version did not have the green lines.

In 1992, in their book District Tartans, Gordon Teal and Philip Smith say that the tartan has "recently been woven" by Lochcarron with a change in color, which I would assume is where the green line version was introduced.

I am fairly certain that no mill is stock supporting the tartan now, so it would require a custom run by Dalgliesh (meaning you could pick whichever version you fancy).

Just a reminder, our museum offers a custom weave service, by Dalgliesh, at very reasonable prices!
http://giftshop.scottishtartans.org/custom.htm

**OC Richard** · 3rd May 11, 04:53 AM

Thanks Matt!

I wonder about the third design, which has the grey band removed.

In any case it's too bad that the top design isn't in production as it's very nice. I prefer that one over the design with the green lines.

**auld argonian** · 3rd May 11, 05:44 AM

I'd agree that the top version is the most attractive. As Matt sez, though, you can get anything you want in the Dalgliesh...

Best

AA

**figheadair** · 3rd May 11, 05:58 AM

[QUOTE=M. A. C. Newsome;977648]This tartan was originally designed in 1982 by MacNaughtons (House of Edgar). The original version did not have the green lines.

In 1992, in their book District Tartans, Gordon Teal and Philip Smith say that the tartan has "recently been woven" by Lochcarron with a change in color, which I would assume is where the green line version was introduced.
QUOTE]

I cannot see the images on this machine and so can only comment in general but so far as the original Arran is concerned; many years ago the STS had a double width merino plaid c1860-80 in this sett so I think that Macnaughtons revived rather than invented the original setting.

**M. A. C. Newsome** · 3rd May 11, 08:45 AM

Originally Posted by figheadair

I cannot see the images on this machine and so can only comment in general but so far as the original Arran is concerned; many years ago the STS had a double width merino plaid c1860-80 in this sett so I think that Macnaughtons revived rather than invented the original setting.

Good to know, Peter! I admit I responded to this thread in haste this morning with only a quick reference to Teal & Smith's District Tartans book, so I may have missed that.