is this tartan suitable for formal occasions, why/why not?

**figheadair** · 20th August 14, 08:53 AM

Originally Posted by Downunder Kilt

Yes it is. I wore that exact tartan to the Annual Highland Clans Ball, in Melbourne in 2013

Kilt is 8 yard, 16oz, knife pleated to the sett, made by John at keltoi

Now that's a nice big sett.

**figheadair** · 20th August 14, 09:03 AM

And here is the progenitor sett - Wilsons' MacKintosh; this sample from the Cockburn Collection of 1810 where it is named McPherson.

No.55.jpg

**creagdhubh** · 20th August 14, 09:44 AM

Originally Posted by figheadair

Now that's a nice big sett.

Indeed, Peter! Lochcarron's (Strome) lovely weave.

**creagdhubh** · 20th August 14, 09:53 AM

Peter,

Quick question (I hope the OP doesn't mind):

In regards to the Chattan Chief and Chattan Clan tartans, what are the main differences? Both examples I have uploaded below are from D.C. Dalgliesh and are in the reproduction colour scheme. It appears to me that the Chattan Chief has a larger sett overall, as well as the white lines appearing to be thicker than the Chattan Clan variant. Are these observations correct? I'm a bit confused about the two tartans. Thanks!

Chattan Chief

Chattan Clan

**Galloglaigh** · 20th August 14, 10:11 AM

After 11 attempts to register here under different names, we now have enough evidence to confirm that this is again Steven Aikens of Jasper AL. This time using an IP proxy in an attempt to hide his real location.

**Downunder Kilt** · 20th August 14, 01:07 PM

That is my understanding of the difference too Galloglaigh, Cheers

**creagdhubh** · 20th August 14, 01:17 PM

Is the overall sett of the Chattan Chief tartan larger than the Chattan Clan, I wonder? Judging by the two visual examples, the Chattan Chief does appear to be larger.

**figheadair** · 20th August 14, 01:18 PM

Originally Posted by Galloglaigh

I believe the first has a white line in the center of the red ground, whereas the latter has a red ground with no white pivot line in the center.

This is correct although why/how is unclear. The Smiths' 1850 work showed the plain red pivot version but which they called Chief MacIntosh. In his 1831 Scottish Gael Logan says that "The Chief also wears a particular taran of a very showy pattern" but doesn't give a count for it. Apparently it is the version that was registered with the Lyon Court on 9th April 1947.

Perhaps because of the complexity of the sett there are numerous trade variations of what I believe to be a Wilsons' sett (as opposed to the claimed origin of the Crubbin Plaid).