18th century scottish regiments

[Troglodyte]

I'm weaving the tartan from Wilsons 1819 Key Pattern Book where it was called Coarse Kilt with Red. The 1790 Account Book listed it as Officers’, Sergeants’ and Privates' Kilts for the 42nd Regiment.

It was a simplified sett with alternating blue/green grounds.



Alas, there is no known surviving example but it appears to be the sett worn by John Murray 4th Duke of Atholl in this portrait c.1782. He'd served in the 42nd regiment and was a Murray - coincidence with the claim that Col Murray introduced the red line?

It makes a simple but handsome tartan.

I have long thought that the Black watch with a single red overstripe (in place of the black) on the green only would make a useful alternative, allowing for pleating to the stripe in regimental style.

The portrait of the Duke of Athole and family reminds me of the Landseer Death of the Stag in Glen Tilt painted a few years leter. The duke himself is shown in lowland fashions of the era, but the kneeling ghillies appear to be kilted in something very similar to your tartan.