42nd with red stripe

[Orvis]

I have a four-yard box-pleat kilt (by Matt Newsome) in this tartan. The cloth is in Wilson's colors, has a black selvedge mark and is "in the grease" (i.e., unfinished after being taken off the loom). It was woven some years ago by D.C. Dalgliesh with coordination of the project by Mr. MacDonald. I always get compliments on the tartan when I wear this kilt, and (as a reenactor) I am very pleased with it due to its historical connections.

[Sir William]

I have a four-yard box-pleat kilt (by Matt Newsome) in this tartan. The cloth is in Wilson's colors, has a black selvedge mark and is "in the grease" (i.e., unfinished after being taken off the loom). It was woven some years ago by D.C. Dalgliesh with coordination of the project by Mr. MacDonald. I always get compliments on the tartan when I wear this kilt, and (as a reenactor) I am very pleased with it due to its historical connections.

And a very beautiful kilt it is, too!

[figheadair]

I've recently transcribed a fascinating Wilsons' letter of 1793 from an Edinburgh supplier named Mason & Thomson complaining about being sent the wrong tartan.

I wish we may not have brought ourselves into a hobble about the 42nd kilt - those sent limey green & blue stripe in place of the red stripe - could you make your self acquainted whither the 42nd had always the red stripe pattern for kilt as noted or when the change took place - our order was for the 42nd Sett - if that is departed from of course we will be blamed

It's not clear but implication is that Mason & Thomson were acting as an agent in supplying the cloth, possibly to the regiment. The agent was to supply kilt cloth which they expected to be that with the red stripe but had been sent the standard 42nd sett. It's also clear from their enquiry that the red line sett had been worn for some time before 1793. What a shame we don't have Wilsons' reply.