Which tartan should i choose

[Alan H]

Just a note: If I remember rightly, the Youngs were a border family. That means that any tartan associated with that family is probably a new invention.

Not that there's anything wrong with that, eh? I mean, after I finish my XMarks kilt, a Hall tartan box=pleat kilt is on my list, and the Hall tartan is very new as well. Halls were Border ruffians, too.

I only bring this up because if it's heritage you're interested in, you *might* want to go with the older, more established tartan first. Maybe.

Or maybe not. It's entirely up to you.

[Caradoc]

Just a note: If I remember rightly, the Youngs were a border family. That means that any tartan associated with that family is probably a new invention.

Any tartan associated with a "family" is a new invention, historically speaking.

[macwilkin]

Any tartan associated with a "family" is a new invention, historically speaking.

Of course, that is relative as well; to those in Scotland, the early 19th century is "new", while to an American (especially my students!) it is "ancient" history!

T.

[alabama kiltie]

I did a little research into the young tartan, and the first kilt sewn with that specific tartan was dated to 1752 so maybe it i older than we think, it probably only became registered to my family recently

[macwilkin]

I did a little research into the young tartan, and the first kilt sewn with that specific tartan was dated to 1752 so maybe it i older than we think, it probably only became registered to my family recently

Here's what the Tartan Authority's Tartan Index has to say:

This is Douglas tartan with motif of Christina Young's arisaidh plaid, (#1722) of 1726, superimposed on blue. Designed by Derek Young, Benderloch, Oban, 1992. Lochcarron sample dated January 1997. Sample in STA Johnston Collection. . The blue and green background colours are normally woven at twice the width shown here for a kilt tartan. The design retains the unusual purple - yellow - orange box check of the original blanket and changes only the ground colour to the traditional West Coast greens and blues. Sample in STA Dalgety Collection. Also sample in weathered colours.

Regards,

Todd

[Alan H]

Those are interesting results on the Young tartan, being derived from a Douglas tartan and being of that age.

I don't want to make too much of the "age" of the tartan, or its association with the Young family because what's "old" and what "not old" is a very subjective thing. Absolutely, if the tartan has an association with the Young family that goes back to the 1700's, that qualifies as "old" for me!

My point of reference was the Hall tartan...also a border family but the tartan was registered in 1996, I think....or thereabouts. It's a recent tartan, but it still represents part of my family that I'm interested in, and proud of.

The final answer is to wear the tartan that you like, eh?

[Galloglaich]

Just get both. You'll be happier in the long run. Having said that, I have Scots blood that is associated w/ various tartans running pretty deep on both sides of the family; while I enjoy having tartan kilts from both sides, I usually only wear the tartan associated w/ my paternal family to Scottish themed functions. I reserve the others for general wear.