"Hard" tartan

[creagdhubh]

This is a fascinating thread and thank you Matt for starting it and your answer, thank you too Paul.

I concur and I must say, I have always been rather fond of the larger setts. Check out the kilt featured below in the Macpherson 'hunting' tartan worn by Bruce Macpherson of London. I had asked him about this particular kilt several years ago whilst in Scotland and he informed me that it had been passed down to him from a family collection of old Macpherson kilts.

Bruce is in the center with the colourful Macpherson/Chattan tartan patchwork waistcoat and green hose.


Another example of the larger sett in the Macpherson 'hunting' tartan. This is Duncan Macpherson of Edinburgh, demonstrating how wild our Clan Macpherson ceilidhs (a 'true' Highland ceilidh) can get!


Superb thread Matt!

Cheers,

[M. A. C. Newsome]

Matt,

Since folks have asked about comparisons to "regimental tartan" and if I'm viewing the photos correctly, it appears that the 18oz. HOE Regimental fabric with the "fuzzy" finish is closer to the teasle-raised treatment, rather than the hard tartan treatment.

Is that a closer comparison?

David

I would say so, David, yes. This is a purely subjective answer based on feel. The major difference in feel is the fact that the 16 oz teasle raised finish is a bit lighter than the 18 oz regimental cloth -- and certainly lighter than the 22 or 24 oz regimental cloth of yore!

[M. A. C. Newsome]

Kyle, I made a MacPherson Hunting kilt from cloth with a sett about that size -- and it was in Harris Tweed! I scored that length of cloth on Ebay. It was so nice I was tempted to keep it for myself, and I'm not even a MacPherson!

By the way, if anyone is desirous of a kilt made from tartan with a larger or smaller sett than usual, that is an option I can happily arrange for on my heirloom kilts.

[creagdhubh]

Kyle, I made a MacPherson Hunting kilt from cloth with a sett about that size -- and it was in Harris Tweed! I scored that length of cloth on Ebay. It was so nice I was tempted to keep it for myself, and I'm not even a MacPherson!

By the way, if anyone is desirous of a kilt made from tartan with a larger or smaller sett than usual, that is an option I can happily arrange for on my heirloom kilts.

Matt,

I recall seeing a photo of you in the Macpherson kilt you mentioned, it looks very smart! And no worries, you shall always be an 'honourary' Macpherson in my book!

It is wonderful to know that a kilt can be made of this type of tartan material, just superb!

Best wishes,

[celt72]

After Christmas I commisioned Matt to make me a custom woven large sett Mackay Modern knife-pleated kilt. I'm doing everything I can to keep the Jonesing at bay while I wait for it.

[MacRobert's Reply]

An amazingly informative thread! It answers questions that I would have never thought to ask - a veritable master class! Many thanks.