identification needed

**figheadair** · 7th December 10, 01:05 AM

Originally Posted by M. A. C. Newsome

I don't think it's 78th Fraser, but your comment did get me looking at the Fraser tartans and I believe there is a very good chance this could be Fraser of Altyre.

It's similar to Fraser Highlanders (Military) - see #6943 in the Master Db where the notes state:

From Brunetts & Struth (Lochcarron) in Canada who believe it is a modern versions of the 78th Fraser tartan which was sold as kiots to the band by the British Shop in Buffalo or TartanTown in Vancouver.

The difference brtween the two is that #6943 has a red stripe centred on the green whereas it's blue or black in the material in the pictures.

I suspect that this is another attempt/version to reproduce the original 78th sett.

**M. A. C. Newsome** · 7th December 10, 05:46 AM

Originally Posted by figheadair

It's similar to Fraser Highlanders (Military) - see #6943 in the Master Db where the notes state:

From Brunetts & Struth (Lochcarron) in Canada who believe it is a modern versions of the 78th Fraser tartan which was sold as kiots to the band by the British Shop in Buffalo or TartanTown in Vancouver.

The difference brtween the two is that #6943 has a red stripe centred on the green whereas it's blue or black in the material in the pictures.

I suspect that this is another attempt/version to reproduce the original 78th sett.

Very well could be. Now that I look again it is not any of the Fraser of Altyre variants -- there is no red stripe in the green. If it is meant to be the 78th it is a failed attempt. Does anyone know what the band is that is pictured? It would be a simple enough thing to contact them and ask about the tartan.

**beerbecue** · 7th December 10, 09:37 AM

What band is it? Many bands state on their sites what tartan they wear.

oops - need to read whole thread.. Conquest got the idea...

78th Frasers Highlanders - could be their own custom take on the tartan of same name..

**Kaw-Liga** · 7th December 10, 05:42 PM

Please Delete - Duplicate post

**Kaw-Liga** · 7th December 10, 05:43 PM

The photo had a web address in the lower left.
< nearbennett.com >

I contacted the photographer Rick Bennett and received the following information.

The name of the band is 78th Fraser Highlanders.
Their tartan, according to this page
<http://www.78thfrasers.org/site/content/view/12/28/>,
is the Red and Green Inverness District.

Cheers,
Rick

********

Copied this from the bands web page.
UNIFORM & EQUIPMENT

Many years of research have gone into refining the uniform worn by the Regiment in North America. Since no cloth part of the uniform is known to exist, patterns have been developed based on portraits, accounts and existing clothing from other Regiments. The Regiment was raised and shipped to North America within a few weeks, so simplicity and availability were key factors. Uniformity, as we know it today, was also not strictly enforced. There was a great deal of individuality, especially with the Officers.

The tartan worn by the Regiment has been an object of discussion throughout the years of research. Many believe that the Government Tartan (known as the Black Watch) would have been the only tartan available in large enough quantities and that it would have been the only officially endorsed pattern. Our decision to go with a simple red and green Inverness district type tartan was based on portraits and accounts, and having found a piece of this tartan in the possession of a descendent of the Regiment.

Kaw-Liga

**figheadair** · 8th December 10, 12:54 AM

Originally Posted by Kaw-Liga

The photo had a web address in the lower left.
< nearbennett.com >\

I contacted the photographer Rick Bennett and received the following information.

The name of the band is 78th Fraser Highlanders.
Their tartan, according to this page
<http://www.78thfrasers.org/site/content/view/12/28/>,
is the Red and Green Inverness District.

Well done tracking down the source.

There term Inverness District type tartan is not particularly enlightening. Nor is this sett a simple red and green tartan. That said, a look at the images on the dress, and title page (http://www.78thfrasers.org/site/index.php), show the pre-VS 42nd type sett woven by Wilsons that the re-enactment regiment has worn for years. That however is not what's pictured in the original post.

The only piece belonging to a descendent of the Regiment that I'm aware of is the Fraser of Boblainy and this is not that. Anyone know what is referred to?

We're not at the bottom of this yet and have emailed the Regt for comment. More anon.

**figheadair** · 8th December 10, 12:59 PM

Had a quick reply from the 78th saying that it's a '......tartan developed for the 78th Frasers Pipeband in Ontario.'

Waiting to hear from the PM for the full story.

**Morris at Heathfield** · 9th December 10, 12:31 AM

It doesn't look at all like the Inverness district tartan, which is what my pipe band wears. However, it does look like Inverness Fencibles tartan with the colors switched around.

**MacBean** · 9th December 10, 04:09 AM

For those interested in that Regiment, the genealogy page may be of interest:
http://www.78thfrasers.org/site/content/view/25/50/

Was this regiment raised in Inverness-shire? There is such a pre-dominance of Fraser, Grant, and constituent Chattan Clans (but plenty of MacDonalds, Camerons, Campbells, etc.). I noticed two Major Mcphersons that looked like relatives of Cluny (Chief). I've mentioned the family's house in Ontario in a post last summer.