A question about Hamilton tartan

[Thekiltedmohawk]

Ah, that makes sense now after re-read the Hamilton tartan description.

Thank you!

[OC Richard]

By all means wear the Hamilton tartan, but be aware that it was designed by two English brothers as part of an elaborate hoax. It is not ancient or authentic or Highland or even Scottish (its only connexion to Scotland is that the Englishmen happened to be living in Scotland when they invented it).

[Thekiltedmohawk]

That's what I suspect after all there was no evidence of my Hamilton ancestors designed, or at least wore them.

[Wareyin]

By all means wear the Hamilton tartan, but be aware that it was designed by two English brothers as part of an elaborate hoax. It is not ancient or authentic or Highland or even Scottish (its only connexion to Scotland is that the Englishmen happened to be living in Scotland when they invented it).

Aye, things may have started as a hoax, but many a clan chief has accepted a tartan from the brothers Allan, so who are we to judge? As a proud member of clan Buchanan, there is no evidence of our tartan before 1850, several years after the Sobieskies "manuscript'. Then again, most modern tartans are from the 19th century at the earliest, so I say wear your centuries old family tartan with pride.

[Thekiltedmohawk]

Now that's something to ponder about.. How many tartans exist before 1842, created/designed by their clan ancestors, and no aid needed from any Englishman?

[figheadair]

Now that's something to ponder about.. How many tartans exist before 1842, created/designed by their clan ancestors, and no aid needed from any Englishman?

A great many possibly the majority of commonly seen/worn clan tartans existed before 1842 but they certainly weren't designed by their ancestors.

[Thekiltedmohawk]

A great many possibly the majority of commonly seen/worn clan tartans existed before 1842 but they certainly weren't designed by their ancestors.

So, how do one come up with a design idea for a tartan? Do they use colors to symbolize what environment their clans were living in, professional trades, or atleast was it random?

[figheadair]

So, how do one come up with a design idea for a tartan? Do they use colors to symbolize what environment their clans were living in, professional trades, or atleast was it random?

The rather depends on what time period you are referring to. The way tartans were designed in the 18th century was quite different to the way many are designed today. Historically there was no symbolism in designs, they were variations on tradional themes with the colours dependent on what was available, desired or could be afforded.

[figheadair]

Aye, things may have started as a hoax, but many a clan chief has accepted a tartan from the brothers Allan, so who are we to judge? As a proud member of clan Buchanan, there is no evidence of our tartan before 1850, several years after the Sobieskies "manuscript'. Then again, most modern tartans are from the 19th century at the earliest, so I say wear your centuries old family tartan with pride.

There is ample evidence for the existence of the Buchanan tartan pre-1850.; have a read of this.

[Wareyin]

There is ample evidence for the existence of the Buchanan tartan pre-1850.; have a read of this.

Thanks for that! The earliest mention I had been aware of was the 1850 book 'The Clan and Family Tartans of Scotland' by W and A Smith of Mauchline, from the tartan registry.