Quote Originally Posted by figheadair View Post
Although the current Atholl Highlanders' kilts are modern most of their plaids are still Wilsons' cloth c1840. I went through their chests earlier this year and it's amazing how many variations on a theme there are. Almost all the same setting but is=n widely different shades depending on when they were purchased. There were two main buy, one in about 1832 and another in 1848 for the Eglinton Match. There are also a couple of plaid in Murray Mansfield tartan there too.
I did notice that the plaids were not the same as the kilts (almost appeared to be a muted or Wilson's colors...I guess they are Wilson's...just not reproduction!) I also noted quite a bit of variation between the plaids even...at the outset I assumed that it might have something to do with the individual's tenure in the unit (like you can tell a seasoned US paratrooper by his faded maroon beret), but now I know that it's not fading from 30 years of wear, rather, possibly, 170+ years! Talk about tradition and lineage!