All in the (Robertson) Family (the tartan, not the TV comedy)

[jsrnephdoc]

There is no evidence to support the note on the SRT about the inclusion of the white line. There is a similar situation with the Fraser tartans and I suspect that in this case, as with those, it was Wilsons of Bannockburn that produced a showier version to appeal to the public. The while line version was worn in a suit (jacket, trews and plaid) worn by Alexander Irivine-Robertson in 1822. Whether he asked for the design or bought it because it already existed we will probably never know but with in a few years it was a regular feature of sample books of Wilsons' cloth. This one is dated 1833.



And around the same time this outfit was made for a man in Nairn.



Given the commercial use of this tartan for some 200 years it would be regrettable if the Clan Society/the Chief sought to restrict it now.

Peter, I'm often AMAZED that someone possessed of your integrated knowledge is SO gracious as to entertain and answer queries from uninformed but curious people such as I. Thank you so VERY much.

And of course, I was joking about the wayback machine funding a stance below a claymore or a funding of a trip to the Colonies

But I cannot resist addressing you as an informed critic AS WELL AS an historian, because your post suggests that you wonder whether Wilsons may have "made up" the White Line variant as a means to generate more pedestrian or broader appeal. Can that be taken as an inference that it doesn't appeal to your so-well-trained eye?