A tartan among us

[DyerStraits]

A traditional tartan worn by people who did not belong to a Clan, especially in the borders / lowlands was the Shepherds Check. I am surprised this is not promoted as much as other universal and new designed tartans . It is also seen as Shepherds check, burns check (a variation) and Northumberland. Predominantly black and white but very traditional and authentic ( remember the Falkirk Tartan?).

I was reminded of this when reading of a fellow from Galloway who in his University days in the 1930's stated wore the Shepherd check kilt, even when he went to the highlands. I guess that was before the onset of new designs for all the districts (e.g. Galloway red and green both attractive and I think designed in the 1930's ). An added bonus is at the moment that check is now all the rage in fashion circles.

I can attest to this, as my girlfriend has a cousin-in-law, originally from The Borders (he was living in Newcastle when he emigrated to the US, and now lives in Arizona) who wears the Shepherd's tartan (and plaid) when he gets kilted up.

[MacGumerait]

Deleted post

[Ron Abbott]

A traditional tartan worn by people who did not belong to a Clan, especially in the borders / lowlands was the Shepherds Check. I am surprised this is not promoted as much as other universal and new designed tartans . It is also seen as Shepherds check, burns check (a variation) and Northumberland. Predominantly black and white but very traditional and authentic ( remember the Falkirk Tartan?).

I was reminded of this when reading of a fellow from Galloway who in his University days in the 1930's stated wore the Shepherd check kilt, even when he went to the highlands. I guess that was before the onset of new designs for all the districts (e.g. Galloway red and green both attractive and I think designed in the 1930's ). An added bonus is at the moment that check is now all the rage in fashion circles.

Shepherd......the main tartan that was worn by the pipers and drummers of the Tyneside Scottish regiment.

It is still worn today, although I'm not just how officially; by the CO's (Northumbrian) piper in the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers (incorporates the old Northumbrian Fusiliers). Here's a picture on a postcard advertised on ebay:-

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Sph2-8-1st...-/400687782274

A very similar looking tartan (Buccleuch or sometimes called Scott of Buccleuch) was worn by the pipers of the territorial battalions of the King's Own Scottish Borderers until the mid to late 1960s.

You can see pipers of the 4/5th Bn. KOSB wearing it at about 2.54 minutes onwards in this British Pathe recording which has been uploaded onto youtube:-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i_aET2wKhdE

[Mike_Oettle]

Thanks for those pictures, Ron. Good to know that the tradition of Shepherd’s Plaid continues in the amalgamated Fusiliers regiment.
Aside from Buccleuch there is another most interesting variation on Shepherd’s Plaid that is worn by the Chief of the Name Kerr, which has red where Buccleuch has blue.
Regards,
Mike

[Mel1721L]

Without any known Scottish heritage and being born in England but with Welsh ancestry on my mothers side, I wouldn't wear any Scottish tartans, even universal ones as I would see it as being wrong. I only wear kilts/cilts with Welsh plaids, all of which are commercial tartans, even the family ones, the Welsh tradition being very new and not really established. I wouldn't wear the X Marks tartan either because it is rather more Scottish in appearance than international. I would still feel it was somehow disrespectful to the Scots. Besides I may risk death from spouse if I buy another expensive kilt.

[Mike_Oettle]

Go for it, Mel. I like the Welsh tartans, and would like to see them worn more by people with Welsh connections (which I don’t have).
Regards,
Mike