Outlander Big-budget drama films in Scotland

[Tobus]

US TV series Outlander filmed in Scotland. Good news for the UK film industry and tourism but why oh why did the makes have to opt for tartans and colour-ways that didn't exist in 1743 when there's so much evidence of did and which if the makers had bothered would have made for a better series.

I had that same complaint in the other thread on this series. I'm guessing the creator just wanted to create a new tartan for this production so it would be unique. I can think of several commercial advantages to that idea, such as being able to sell tartan items as merchandise. Not to mention, avoiding any bruised egos or stepping on the toes of actual clans, or their chiefs/members/etc. Considering that this series is pure fantasy, and takes some liberties with actual historical events, it's probably best to maintain a distinct separation from reality.

Consider for a moment that if they decided to use the real Fraser tartan (or other tartans for clans who appear in the story line), there will undoubtedly be a certain number of fans who rush out to buy these items. These fans would likely have no real connection to Scottish lineage, and would basically be the equivalent of all the goobers who went out and bought Captain Jack Sparrow costumes for playing dress-up. If they were using a real clan tartan in the story, this might lead to a bit of resentment from people who hold these tartans dear.

So it does seem to make good sense to use a fantasy tartan for this fantasy story. It's not like this is a documentary or anything. And while it would have been nice to make the tartan more period-correct in terms of colours and such, I can understand them wanting to make it a tartan that might have fashion appeal to fans, even if it's not historically correct.