An extraordinary invitation & unique Tartan opportunity

[Orionson]

Over a year ago, I discovered Matt Newsome's magnificent series of photographs of a circa 1800 MacDuff box pleated kilt. I was instantly smitten by the deply rich and vivid colour palette. I wrote to Matt and learned that the kilt had been returned to The Scottish Tartan Authority here in Scotland. When I contacted them about the kilt and the possibility of recreating the tartan, they graciously offered to lend me the kilt - as long as I commissioned a weaver that they felt safe with to do the custom weave. My kilt maker, Paul Henry had recommended Andrew Elliot Weavers in Selkirk as the best place to go to achieve a virtually exact reproduction of this historic tartan and The STA was very happy for Robin Elliot to take up the project personally.

Here is a link to Matt's remarkable photos:

https://plus.google.com/photos/10032...22955015887777

I took the kilt to Robin and spent a very interesting and informative morning at the Mill as we discussed the project. The colours will be all custom dyed (there are actually distinctly different shades of green in the warp and the weft) because the original colours were all vegetable dyed. The sett is roughly 10" x 10" and is delightfully large.

I have mentioned this project in passing in a couple of other threads and another of the rabble has contacted me to ask if he could join the project and have some of this magnificent c. 1800 MacDuff made up for himself. Of course, I am only too happy to oblige.

I would now like to invite each and everyone of you who may wish to join us in the unique opportunity to own some of this fine MacDuff to get in touch with me via Personal Message. I'll be happy to discuss the project and answer any questions you may have.

I myself will be ordering in double width in 16oz with a minimum of finishing so as to come as close as possible to the hard tartan feel/hand of the original cloth.

Here is a link to Andrew Elliot Weavers:

http://www.elliot-weave.co.uk/

Please do feel to contact Robin directly to discuss your own requirements.

This is a unique and very special opportunity. Our own Figheadair has been familiar with this MacDuff Kilt for over 20 years and has some very interesting observations about it. He is of the opinion that it may even be as old as 1790. 1790, or 1800 - either way, this kilt pre-dates Sir Walter Scott's and the Sobieski Stuart's later marketing campaigns by a very wide margin. The authenticity of this unique piece of Tartan history is truly remarkable.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Cheers,