Strathearn?

[figheadair]

I don't put much, if any, stock in the Teall & Smith book - neither understood the technicalities of historic tartan specimens or history.

Re: Part 1 of my question
The RCA & The Gallant Corps - regardless of any evidence supporting actual historic use of setts linked directly with these Units, the quasi-nature of their raising renders the "named" setts themselves, unworthy of the status normally reserved for those setts officially recognized in Governing Regulations.

Agreed

The Atholl Highlanders - G. Teal of Teallach & Philip D. Smith, Jr., District Tartans, 1992, claimed, as of publishing, "The present Duke of Atholl, Ian Murray, President of the Scottish Tartan Society, has stated that he is very happy for the Murtray of Attholl tartan to be regarded as the Atholl District tartan" p32
Interestingly, it is the only source from the traditional canon (Wilson's pattern Books through 1906) where the "Atholl" or "Murray" is referred to as a district sett, echoing your sentiments. As a private Army, the only of its kind remaining, I believe you'd categorize it in the same vain as The RCA & the Gallant Corps...quasi.

Whatever the then chief said is interesting but as it wasn't his sett to pronounce on (it being originally a military sett) it's not historically relevant to the origins of the sett.

I would not regard the original use of the sett as quasi-military because the Atholl Highlanders were originally the 77th of Foot and so far as I know, wore this sett as their official tartan.

Re: part 2 of my question
[B][FONT=Verdana]The OP asked about the "Strathearn", specifically "where it fit?" Though I deferred to others expertise, I raised the point that, while we frequently engage in fervent discussions about the appropriateness of donning a tartan to which one is not affiliated, rarely are those courtesies extended to setts which may have origin in peerage.

I understand your argument but if we step back and view these setts historically then the only truly Royal one i.e. that we know they initiated, is the Balmoral and by convention that is restricted, although it was sold commercially in the 1930s.

Campbell of Cawdor - My point was...
to the best of my knowledge, this sett originated as a numbered pattern (No.230) and, based your research and that of James D. Scarlett, it acquired a "name" associated with the area of usage. It was only after that, it became associated with a Campbell branch. However, knowing this information and acting on it are different things. Personally, considering the culturally imbued, Victorian-Tartan-affiliation craze, I would suggest to a potential suitor, unless you are affiliated with that branch or an alum of the Duchess of Argyll's school, you should probably stay away. Such is the guidance of the Current Duke of Argyll, himself.

The Campbell connection for this sett is purely a Wilsons' one. they name a number of their 'fancy patterns' after areas or personalities (historical and contemporary) in order to improve sales. The chief can pronounce on how Campbells should wear the sett but as it pre-dates their adoption he cannot exclude someone wearing No230.

The MarG. Teal of Teallach & Philip D. Smith, Jr. go to great length to suggest two origins for the "Mar" sett:
1. Based on Frank Adam's work, having obtained a sample called "Skene" from the Duke of Fife. However, Adam also provided a complex "Skene", thus the distinction. The territory was historically Donnachaidh based on the legend of a Robertson defending said area with two sgian dubh, hence the name Clan Donnachaidh Mhairr.
2. Based on a misinterpretation of the R.R. McIan rendering, 1845 - that of a Skene kilt preserved in the Castle of Skene.

The origins of the Mar (Tribe of) as well researched and can be squarely laid at the door of the McIan/Logan book. I've no idea where Teall & Smith can up with their 'other theory' but there's no basis to it and they clearly did not know that Adam's scales were in fact taken directly from Logan's earlier work and his subsequent counts supplied to McIntyre North for his Book of the Club of the True Highlanders.

The Countess of Mar saw fit to let it be, "known and recognized as the proper tartan of the Tribe of Mar" Again, to me this became a personal issue to The Countess and her family.

You're correct. The Countess asks that anyone not immediately connected with the family/name seek her permission (as a courtesy) before wearing the Tribe of Mar. Several weavers are more concerned with profit and offer this tartan without reference to Her.