Is this an asymmetric tartan?

**TheOfficialBren** · 16th June 14, 11:36 AM

Should I order single- or double-width?

Thank you.

**Chas** · 16th June 14, 11:38 AM

It does not look asymmetric to me.

**TheOfficialBren** · 16th June 14, 03:45 PM

Excellent. Thanks, Chas.

I'm surprised that a kiltmaker hasn't jumped on this one.

**Mikilt** · 16th June 14, 03:54 PM

Symmetric.

What tartan is it? I like it.

**ctbuchanan** · 16th June 14, 04:15 PM

This is an asymmetrical tartan - the stripes don't mirror each other - they alternate. So red/yellow, red/yellow is asymmetrical. To be symmetrical it would have to be red/yellow, yellow/red a mirror image of itself. That's the best I can do to demonstrate the difference.

**MacMillans son** · 16th June 14, 08:25 PM

Originally Posted by ctbuchanan

This is an asymmetrical tartan - the stripes don't mirror each other - they alternate. So red/yellow, red/yellow is asymmetrical. To be symmetrical it would have to be red/yellow, yellow/red a mirror image of itself. That's the best I can do to demonstrate the difference.

Another way to visualize it: "Does the sett look the same if turned 90 degrees?" Your Buchanan does not, my MacMillan Old Sett does not. If you turn the sett of the tartan provided by Bren 90 degrees it looks the same both ways, it is therefore symmetrical.

**TheOfficialBren** · 16th June 14, 04:50 PM

Originally Posted by Mikilt

Symmetric.

What tartan is it? I like it.

Shaw (Modern, 16oz) by Lochcarron

Technically, I should be wearing this one (paternal) rather than Robertson (which is a maternal tartan in my family).

Kiltmakers:
I should order double width, correct?

**Nathan** · 16th June 14, 06:07 PM

Originally Posted by TheOfficialBren

Shaw (Modern, 16oz) by Lochcarron

Technically, I should be wearing this one (paternal) rather than Robertson (which is a maternal tartan in my family).

Kiltmakers:
I should order double width, correct?

I thought your paternal name was French!

(4 yards double width or 8 yards single width as I understand it! )

**figheadair** · 16th June 14, 10:36 PM

[QUOTE=TheOfficialBren;1239627]Shaw (Modern, 16oz) by Lochcarron

The history of this sett is interesting. It owes its existance to a transcription error by McIan's Clans of the Scottish Highlands. His plate shows the Black Watch mutineer, Farquhar Shaw and was presumably meant to depict the 42nd sett with the red stripe. This tartan was replaced in the late 1960's by the official Shaw of Tordarroch (Redand Green) tartans.

Oh, and all three setts are symmetrical.