MacDonald of the Isles as a Military Tartan

[freddie]

I once found a website that listed every tartan worn by the military (unfortunately I didn't bookmark it) and MacDonald of The Isles was listed as being worn by an overseas territorial unit during the 19th century (it may have been South Africa but I really can't be sure). I once suggested on this site that both this tartan and Mackenzie were related to an old district tartan worn in the Inner Hebredies (a blue/green with red and white stripes) but I was shot down in flames!

[figheadair]

I once found a website that listed every tartan worn by the military (unfortunately I didn't bookmark it) and MacDonald of The Isles was listed as being worn by an overseas territorial unit during the 19th century (it may have been South Africa but I really can't be sure). I once suggested on this site that both this tartan and Mackenzie were related to an old district tartan worn in the Inner Hebredies (a blue/green with red and white stripes) but I was shot down in flames!

There are a number of sites that list military tartans but none gives them all in my experience. I cannot really comment on the use of the MacDonald of the Isles by an unknown territorial unit beyond the fact that it would not have been in Britain as the Territorial Army was not formed until 1908. There is an overall similarity in colour between the three setts you mention but neither the MacDonald or MacKenzie were based on the old Hebridean sett.

[Domehead]

Great stuff Guys and thanks Mr. MacDonald, for vetting everything.
Ryan M. Liddell

[Nathan]

Interestingly, if I understand correctly from your OP, this MacDonald of the Isles tartan was used by the pipers of a TA Regiment based in Co. Antrim, Northern Ireland. One of the current MacDonald Chiefs, the Earl of Antrim, wears this very tartan. A connection there perhaps?

[figheadair]

Interestingly, if I understand correctly from your OP, this MacDonald of the Isles tartan was used by the pipers of a TA Regiment based in Co. Antrim, Northern Ireland. One of the current MacDonald Chiefs, the Earl of Antrim, wears this very tartan. A connection there perhaps?

Very possibly. It would take a dig into the Regimental Archives to see if one of the Earls was perhaps the Honorary Colonel at some point. That's often how the non-Highland regiment TA tartans were adopted.