MacDonald of Glenaladale Tartan

**Cayusedriver** · 31st January 10, 09:41 AM

Have you tried the Gaelic College at St. Anns, NS? They have a museum at the site honoring among other things Angus Mackaskill the Nova Scotia Giant. I believe Elizabeth MacCulley (sp.?) had much to do with this institute. In the Middle 1970's she had I believe it was called The Tartan Shop in Halifax, N.S. and possessed at that time listings of many old, rare, and lost tartan patterns. St Anns has piping and dance camps in the summer, but; I believe they may also have weaving classes.

**figheadair** · 31st January 10, 09:45 AM

Originally Posted by Cayusedriver

Have you tried the Gaelic College at St. Anns, NS? They have a museum at the site honoring among other things Angus Mackaskill the Nova Scotia Giant. I believe Elizabeth MacCulley (sp.?) had much to do with this institute. In the Middle 1970's she had I believe it was called The Tartan Shop in Halifax, N.S. and possessed at that time listings of many old, rare, and lost tartan patterns. St Anns has piping and dance camps in the summer, but; I believe they may also have weaving classes.

I visited there a few years ago. Unfortunately no luck on this particular sett.

**figheadair** · 5th February 10, 09:30 AM

I've found the owner of the original fragment.

Hope to have some pics next week which should clear up the oustanding questions.

**M. A. C. Newsome** · 5th February 10, 12:09 PM

Originally Posted by figheadair

I've found the owner of the original fragment.

Hope to have some pics next week which should clear up the oustanding questions.

Excellent! We look forward to seeing your findings.

**figheadair** · 22nd March 10, 01:52 PM

Originally Posted by figheadair

I've found the owner of the original fragment.

Hope to have some pics next week which should clear up the oustanding questions.

Got the pics at last. Amazing and answers the question of the correct setting. The owner also has a length of the Flora MacDonald aka MacDonald of PEI and so that little error con be corrected too. Details to follow.

**KenB** · 22nd March 10, 10:02 PM

This is fantastic news. I can't wait to see the pics.

**NorCalPiper** · 23rd March 10, 10:24 AM

I am REALLY waiting for this-ANy update?

**Seanmhair** · 23rd March 10, 12:06 PM

Amazing bit of detective work, how did you find the owner of the fragment?

Looking forward to the rest of the story!

**figheadair** · 23rd March 10, 10:18 PM

Originally Posted by Seanmhair

Amazing bit of detective work, how did you find the owner of the fragment?

Looking forward to the rest of the story!

A bit of pure luck really. I'd been searching in vein from this side of the pond for a number of years and recently got reinvigorated with the idea that it must be out there somewhere and asked the question on a local PEI BB. Someone saw it and mentioned it to a friend who turned out to be a descendent and the owner of the specimen. I plan to publish an article on-line shortly that will give details (less the owner's identity). What I can say at this stage is that the piece contains some interesting conundrums.

**figheadair** · 3rd April 10, 11:42 PM

Originally Posted by NorCalPiper

I am REALLY waiting for this-ANy update?

A most increable coincidence. The original Glenaladale plaid turned up out of the blue via an email to Matt. My contact with the fragment lives close by and will take her piece to see where it was cut from. This is just the most amazing story - to look for something for more than 20 years and then for it suddenly to appear ater more that 250 years. We can now say for certain that the current commercial weaves are completely wrong. Have a look at this.

Once I've got photos of the whole thing laid out I'll write it up in detail. For those interested there is some similar stuff here: http://www.scottishtartans.co.uk/research.htm