Recommendations for guides to clan tartans

**Jock Scot** · 15th January 14, 08:33 AM

Originally Posted by unixken

I just ordered a copy from Amazon, myself, based on Jock's appraisal of the book.

Good lord!

**TheOfficialBren** · 15th January 14, 09:37 AM

Originally Posted by Jock Scot

Good lord!

Heavy lies the head that wears the crown (or, in this case, a weighty opinion), my friend.

**JonathanB** · 15th January 14, 11:22 AM

Well, that's helpful. Most of the second hand copies I could find on Abebooks were from the USA, but it does occur in a few UK second hand shops.

Anyone ever heard of Bain?

**creagdhubh** · 15th January 14, 11:36 AM

Originally Posted by JonathanB

Anyone ever heard of Bain?

Aye, Jonathan I have. I own Robert Bain's, The Clans and Tartans of Scotland and find it a quick, wee guide to various clans and their tartans. Definitely not as complex and detailed as the Collins book, yet still a reliable source. Bain's book was first published in 1938 and has numerous, subsequent editions.

I also recommend the following (all of which I own):

Scottish Clan and Family Names: Their Arms, Origins and Tartans, by Roddy Martine (of whom, I know personally)

Scottish Clans and Tartans, by Ian Grimble

Clans and Families of Scotland: The History of the Scottish Tartan, by Alexander Fulton

Scottish Clans and Their Tartans, by W. Johnson, A.K. Johnson

Scottish Clans and Tartans: A Fully Illustrated Guide to Over 140 Clans-Their History, Tartans, and Much More, by Neil Grant

The Clans of the Scottish Highlands: The Costumes of the Clans, by James Logan, R.R. McIan, Antonia Fraser

The Highlanders of Scotland, by Delia Millar, Kenneth MacLeay

Scottish Tartans Histories of the Clans (Johnston & Bacon clan histories), by Sir Innes of Learney Thomas, William Semple

**JonathanB** · 15th January 14, 02:29 PM

You're a star, Kyle.

It is fatally easy to order things online. I was trying to resist getting anything before Scotsweb deliver the belt I'd ordered, but the flesh is weak. I've ordered Way and Squire from Abebooks http://www.abebooks.co.uk/servlet/BuyersMenu.

I've already ordered a very interesting book on feminist theology today, but possibly this is not the place to discuss that.

And up in central London this afternoon, I bought five minature single malts for Milroys http://www.milroys.co.uk/webapp/wcs/...10001_10001_-1 (and I'm now feeling pleasantly mellow), and the Oxford University Press Selected Poems of Robert Burns from Blackwells in Charing Cross Road http://bookshop.blackwell.co.uk/jsp/welcome.jsp.

**Jack Daw** · 15th January 14, 11:29 AM

I have the Collins book, too, and have it on display in my clan tent at the Highland Games. I highly recommend it. It has the chief's banners, as well as the arms and tartans. I always keep my eye on the book to make sure it doesn't walk away.

**mookien** · 15th January 14, 05:24 PM

Originally Posted by Jock Scot

Good lord!

I just ordered two copies - one for me and one for my brother.

Thanks!

**figheadair** · 19th January 14, 12:39 AM

Some oldies but some of the better ones are:

ADAM F. 1908 The Clans, Septs and Regiments of the Scottish Highlands. W. & A. K. Johnston, Edinburgh - a weighty tome but a really good insight into all things Highland.

CHEAPE H. 1991 TARTAN The Highland Habit. National Museums of Scotland, Edinburgh

DUNBAR J. T. 1962 The History of Highland Dress. Oliver & Boyd, Edinburgh

MACDONALD M. 1991 The Clans of Scotland. Brian Todd Publishing Ltd, London - at the risk of being accused of being bias, I have to recommend this one. Mine’s inscribed from your closest ancestor.

MUNRO R. W. 1977 Highland Clans & Tartans. Octopus Books, London - is a very good read.