Outlander Big-budget drama films in Scotland

**figheadair** · 14th March 14, 05:55 AM

US TV series Outlander filmed in Scotland. Good news for the UK film industry and tourism but why oh why did the makes have to opt for tartans and colour-ways that didn't exist in 1743 when there's so much evidence of did and which if the makers had bothered would have made for a better series.

**artificer** · 14th March 14, 06:10 AM

Originally Posted by figheadair

US TV series Outlander filmed in Scotland. Good news for the UK film industry and tourism but why oh why did the makes have to opt for tartans and colour-ways that didn't exist in 1743 when there's so much evidence of did and which if the makers had bothered would have made for a better series.

I hear you, Peter, and totally know how you feel. People doing stuff the easy way simply to cut corners, or those that needlessly change details really get me wound up.

When I have moments like this my long-suffering and VERY understanding wife tends to gently take me by the arm, steer me over to a dram and patiently explain to me (again) that "Most people will never know the difference, and even if they did wouldn't care"

ith:

**Tobus** · 14th March 14, 07:33 AM

Originally Posted by figheadair

US TV series Outlander filmed in Scotland. Good news for the UK film industry and tourism but why oh why did the makes have to opt for tartans and colour-ways that didn't exist in 1743 when there's so much evidence of did and which if the makers had bothered would have made for a better series.

I had that same complaint in the other thread on this series. I'm guessing the creator just wanted to create a new tartan for this production so it would be unique. I can think of several commercial advantages to that idea, such as being able to sell tartan items as merchandise. Not to mention, avoiding any bruised egos or stepping on the toes of actual clans, or their chiefs/members/etc. Considering that this series is pure fantasy, and takes some liberties with actual historical events, it's probably best to maintain a distinct separation from reality.

Consider for a moment that if they decided to use the real Fraser tartan (or other tartans for clans who appear in the story line), there will undoubtedly be a certain number of fans who rush out to buy these items. These fans would likely have no real connection to Scottish lineage, and would basically be the equivalent of all the goobers who went out and bought Captain Jack Sparrow costumes for playing dress-up. If they were using a real clan tartan in the story, this might lead to a bit of resentment from people who hold these tartans dear.

So it does seem to make good sense to use a fantasy tartan for this fantasy story. It's not like this is a documentary or anything. And while it would have been nice to make the tartan more period-correct in terms of colours and such, I can understand them wanting to make it a tartan that might have fashion appeal to fans, even if it's not historically correct.

**artificer** · 14th March 14, 07:37 AM

Good points on the commercial possibilities of creating a dedicated tartan for the show, Tobus! Also for pointing out the potential hazards of using a Clan tartan.

ith:

**RockyR** · 20th March 14, 07:39 AM

Originally Posted by Tobus

I had that same complaint in the other thread on this series. I'm guessing the creator just wanted to create a new tartan for this production so it would be unique. I can think of several commercial advantages to that idea, such as being able to sell tartan items as merchandise. Not to mention, avoiding any bruised egos or stepping on the toes of actual clans, or their chiefs/members/etc. Considering that this series is pure fantasy, and takes some liberties with actual historical events, it's probably best to maintain a distinct separation from reality.

Consider for a moment that if they decided to use the real Fraser tartan (or other tartans for clans who appear in the story line), there will undoubtedly be a certain number of fans who rush out to buy these items. These fans would likely have no real connection to Scottish lineage, and would basically be the equivalent of all the goobers who went out and bought Captain Jack Sparrow costumes for playing dress-up. If they were using a real clan tartan in the story, this might lead to a bit of resentment from people who hold these tartans dear.

So it does seem to make good sense to use a fantasy tartan for this fantasy story. It's not like this is a documentary or anything. And while it would have been nice to make the tartan more period-correct in terms of colours and such, I can understand them wanting to make it a tartan that might have fashion appeal to fans, even if it's not historically correct.

I spoke to the weaver of the cloth for the Outlander series (which is a mill in Scotland) as I had a customer inquiry about the cloth. Your reasoning above is the EXACT reason they created a new tartan... they didn't want to offend anyone by using their clan tartan in a 'made up fantasy world' story.

A slightly more skeptical side of me also thinks that it's a shrewd business move, b/c they can then copyright the new tartan and sell merchandise in it.

**Tobus** · 20th March 14, 10:30 AM

Originally Posted by RockyR

A slightly more skeptical side of me also thinks that it's a shrewd business move, b/c they can then copyright the new tartan and sell merchandise in it.

I'll bet dollars to doughnuts that there WILL be merchandise coming from this series. Just like you can buy the aforementioned Pirates of the Caribbean "Captain Jack Sparrow" costumes, or a Lord of the Rings "one ring to rule them all" replica, or a Game of Thrones sword, etc., etc., ad nauseam. We will see a passel of great-kilted Jamie Frasers at Highland Games and Renaissance festivals for the next few years, I guarantee.

Edited to add: Scotland has already seen a lot of tourists looking for stone circles and such (usually hopeless romantic women who have read the books). But just like the Harry Potter tourist bump, this series may very well increase interest in tourism to places like the Culloden battlefield and such. The next few years will be interesting to watch the fallout from this series when it comes to seeing how Americans jump on fads from television hits.

**RockyR** · 20th March 14, 01:22 PM

Originally Posted by Tobus

I'll bet dollars to doughnuts that there WILL be merchandise coming from this series.

UNLIKE the Braveheart and Rob Roy film tartans (which the film companies didn't copyright and didn't care if they were reproduced... which is why they're still available today from the Islay Woolen Mill), the production companies of the Outlander series did tell the mill that they may NOT sell the cloth without their approval (which usually comes in the form of monetary compensation / licensing agreement). Hopefully the same mill gets to produce the merchandise that produced the tv show costumes... would be great for their bottom line.

(I know this b/c I tried to buy a length of the cloth for a kilt and was told that they could not sell it to me)