Use of white in a tartan: condemed to look like a "dress tartan"?

[creagdhubh]

Richard,

With all due respect, I didn't "dupe" Ewen Macpherson of Cluny. And I would never do as such! My information in regards to the Macpherson dress comes directly from our own clan history and what Clan Macpherson historians and past chiefs have agreed upon. This is information that has been around for quite some time and is widely accepted amongst Clan Macpherson members who know their clan history, culture and traditions very well. Many would agree that the Allen brothers had a crucial part to play in the overall design of the Macpherson dress, but "Old Cluny" did as well and the latter is a rather important detail left out of the history books.

The Breacan Glas, or "the grey plaid of Cluny" was by far a more popular and earlier Clan Macpherson sett and did in fact have a white ground early in its creation. According to Clan Macpherson tradition, the white ground would eventually become soiled and dirty, thus turning it to a more grey hue. Eventually, the Breacan Glas with the fields of white, were replaced by weaving fields of grey into the sett. The overall sett design of the Breacan Glas is said to have been worn by Cluny of the '45 and this is recorded in Clan Macpherson historical records at the Clan Macpherson Museum and House in Newtonmore, Inverness-shire, Scotland. Our clan association is very blessed and fortunate to have highly dedicated, knowledgable and professionally educated historians amongst its membership. I take slight offence to part of your concluding statement. I think it was highly unnecessary and not very tactful on your part.

Let's get back on topic. Apologies to the OP for veering off topic a bit by discussing the Macpherson dress and 'hunting' tartan. As I stated previously, I suppose I just get a wee bit excited when a discussion of white in tartan and white based tartans is brought to light. I do apologise indeed.

Kindest regards,