What clan!!!

[beloitpiper]

It could be "Rustie '65".

The real problem is that there's not enough of the sett to make out what it is. Just because somebody painted it doesn't mean he used the colors that are in the actual tartan. So while the tartan in the photo may be red or purple, the actual tartan might be blue or green!

[St. Amish]

True that the colors that were painted may not be the original colors at all. the person developing the photo may not have even been the person who shot the photo.

The other point that I would make is that over time, the ink used may have changed color. Blue or red could have developed into the purple that you see.

[Jack Daw]

There are two people in the picture. The last three letters on the top line look very much like "a-n-d" The first name looks like "Jink" ? So, I'm guessing is "Jink and Rustie 65".

[skauwt]

the first letter is how i do my L`s and the 2nd section is how i do my K`s they look like r`s in a way
i reckon its says L MCHARRIS and the 2nd word is KRISTIE 65

the picture somehow doesnt look %100 scottish to me its hard to explain but when you google map kristie this is what comes up
Kristie, Edinburg, Hidalgo, TX 78541, USA

[BoldHighlander]

Uncletom was kind enough to email the pictures to me as I was unable to view them thru the links.

Having viewed them I would agree that this is probably not a Scottish Chieftain, but taken here in the States around 1865 (the 65?) judging in part from their dress. The reason why I believe it was taken in the States is comparing the gentleman's dress to those in this recent thread:
http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/1...143/index.html
leads me to believe that he too was a member of a Scottish-American Caledonian society (possibly east coast), as Todd mentioned in the linked thread. Not much to add on the wording.

I hope this helps.