The Original MacDougall Tartan Revived

[JSFMACLJR]

It certainly is my favourite gathering.

[JSFMACLJR]

Peter, was Charlie MacDougall wearing the new sett? I can just see him on the far right of the front line of Stewards, but cannot tell too much about his kilt.

[creagdhubh]

Peter, was Charlie MacDougall wearing the new sett? I can just see him on the far right of the front line of Stewards, but cannot tell too much about his kilt.

From what I can make of his attire, he looks outstanding! I love his colour choices, i.e. - his hose, jacket, bonnet, etc.

[M. A. C. Newsome]

The new tartan looks fantastic, Peter! Who did you get to make the first kilt?

[figheadair]

The new tartan looks fantastic, Peter! Who did you get to make the first kilt?

The Dunollie Trust organised the kilt and longer skirt for the chief's daughter. All I know is that it was a local girl that used to work for Geoffrey Tailor. I was not particularly impressed by the making. Just some of the little touches like cheaper buckles, belt loops and a double fringe were not to my liking. The daughter is very slim and looked stunning.

The cloth is Lochcarron's unfinished Braeriach so it has a harder handle. Also has a herringbone selvedge copied from the original.

Peter, was Charlie MacDougall wearing the new sett? I can just see him on the far right of the front line of Stewards, but cannot tell too much about his kilt.

Charlie was wearing a matching kilt and plaid in Lochcarron's Old Colours but he was very taken with it and I suspect that we'll see him in it by next year.

All proceeds from the sale of this tartan are going back to the restoration of the 1745 part of Dunollie which will be opened to the public later this year. It's been nearly a year since I was there and what a transformation. It's looking very promising. Worth keeping an eye on their site - http://www.dunollie.org/

[M. A. C. Newsome]

Wow, you must have pulled some strings to get them to send out unfinished cloth! :-) Good on ya!

[creagdhubh]

Wow, you must have pulled some strings to get them to send out unfinished cloth! :-) Good on ya!

I echo those words, Matt! Well done, Peter!

[figheadair]

Wow, you must have pulled some strings to get them to send out unfinished cloth! :-) Good on ya!

They weren't happy about it - oh no, lack of control!!! . They were none too happy about the herringbone selvedge either and I had to draft the loom settings for them as they didn't have the historical know how. And we paid a premium! Anyhow, my feet in their in tray and an eplanation of what I wanted rather than what they wanted to sell me, plus me accepting the (in their eyes) risk, and they finally agreed. It's soooo much better.

[FreddyBeachPete]

Peter - thanks ever so much for posting about the Heritage MacDougall. Pics were particularly helpful. Earlier this summer I ordered a kilt in 16 oz MacDougall Modern (traditional 8-yard knife pleated) from Mac MacIsaac in Cape Breton who has come very highly recommended to me. Material is not going to be available though for a couple of months so I have a chance still to change my mind on the tartan choice. Before deciding, do you know how the Heritage MacDougall compares to the MacDougall Ancient. I ask because I have 4 1/2 yards (16 oz) of the latter that I plan to have made into a simple box-pleated kilt. If they are fairly close (from the pics they look like they might be) I will probably stay with my current choice but if they are quite different then 1 x Heritage and 1 x Ancient might be just the ticket. I can already hear some of the rabble saying why not three kilts? Lets just say, 1 is already straining marital financial harmony, 2 will really put my negotiating skills to the test but 3 would lead to certain and permanent strike/lock-out on the home front. Cheers,

Peter McDougall

PS. What colour are the hose that Robin is wearing in the pic?

[creagdhubh]

It appears Robin is wearing hose in an ancient blue, or lovat blue colour. Very smart looking with the reddish colours of the historic MacDougall, in my opinion.