Perhaps, just perhaps, but which one????

[BroosterB1]

John,

Can you get Birse Tartan? Last I checked it was a special weave. Possible?

[davedove]

I don't really buy into the "ancient" trend. I have seen some pretty brilliant, bright, early natural dyes. Saying they weathered and faded is one thing, but pushing those colors as ancient I am not sure I buy into.

I think you've misunderstood the label of "ancient". It doesn't mean the colors they used to use. As you said, the natural dyes could produce colors just as vibrant as today's colors (although they may have faded faster).

Check out Matt newsome's article: http://www.albanach.org/colors.html

[slohairt]

John,

Can you get Birse Tartan? Last I checked it was a special weave. Possible?

I don't see it in anyone's catalogue, so I would guess it is still a special weave.

[slohairt]

I think you've misunderstood the label of "ancient". It doesn't mean the colors they used to use. As you said, the natural dyes could produce colors just as vibrant as today's colors (although they may have faded faster).

Check out Matt newsome's article: http://www.albanach.org/colors.html

Exactly. The mills just use it as a synonym for 'aged'. Strathmore uses the term 'Old Colours'. Not the best terms there are, but we're stuck with them, I'm afraid.

[Dall_Piobaire]

So actually, what I thought was the case is true, and what I was being told was the case was wrong. Spin, spin, spin!

Wilson's is the oldest registry right, what are the oldest registered tartans. Say the top five.

[Nighthawk]

Do you mean 'Loud MacLeod'/MacLeod of Lewis/MacLeod Dress? It's on my lists.

Ancient: 16 oz. Strome Rare Select
Modern: 13.5 oz. W60, 16 oz. Strome Rare Select, 16-17 oz. Heavyweight
Muted:13 oz. Mediumweight Old & Rare
Weathered: 16 oz. Strome Rare Select

I was looking in the lists for the box pleated kilts, and I didn't see it. It's not at all unlikely that I missed it...

[slohairt]

So actually, what I thought was the case is true, and what I was being told was the case was wrong. Spin, spin, spin!

Wilson's is the oldest registry right, what are the oldest registered tartans. Say the top five.

Right! The Modern Colours are older than the Old Colours! There are some old tartans (and some new ones) which don't neatly fit into one category or the other due to blending of shades.

I believe Wilson's produced the oldest tartan pattern books, so I'd say yes. I'm not a tartan historian, mind you, but I would a hazard a guess that Black Watch, Royal Stewart, Gordon, Mackenzie (Seaforth Highlanders), and Cameron of Erracht are among the oldest "official" tartans.

[slohairt]

I was looking in the lists for the box pleated kilts, and I didn't see it. It's not at all unlikely that I missed it...

Yup, they're there. In fact, all of the lists on the order forms for each style are identical.