Will,
I most likely will go with the Sett pleating. I have seen the smaller sett that you mentioned. I have done some searching on the web and I know there are other Grant tartans that have the smaller sett Grant of Ballindalloch and Grant of Monymusk come to mind. I have not found a full list of Grant tartans yet on the web. One site will list some and not others, the next the same. I found 2 new variations yesterday one called Grant Piper and another called Grant Champion. The latter is more yellow. I have seen a variation of the hunting tartan that has a yellow stripe on it. I tend to agree with you that the Modern Red is somewhat in your face, (Not knocking it at all. I will definately have a kilt made in it as well) and that is one reason I was leaning to the ancient, plus you can in my opinion see the sett better.My father will have nothing to do with the ancient hue.LOL Thanks for the heads up on Lochcarron, I will keep it in mind.

Brad