Family: Wescott

[Prester John]

Thought I'd try this here:

In line with our "Kirkin' O' the Tartans" coming up Nov. 30th, a parishioner of mine, whose name is Wescott, is pretty sure his family is Welsh.

Where do I find an appropriate tartan for him, and where should I look?

Thanks.

[Big Dave]

You can check out http://www.welsh-tartan.com/centre.html, besides that there is a 'Welsh National Tartan' around.

[Prester John]

Hey Thanks Big Dave.

I'll head there and poke around.

[Derek]

I hope you enjoyed looking around the Welsh Tartan Centre site. If you want to see a Cilt in the National Welsh Tartan I also suggest you look at Hamish's gallery, page 9 where he is wearing the one he bought when he came over to Wales recently.
Iechyd Da
Derek

[M. A. C. Newsome]

The original Welsh National tartan (pictured below) was designed in 1967 and is different from the national tartan currently being marketed by the Welsh Tartan Centre (keep in mind that all of their tartans are of their own design).

This Welsh National tartan takes its colors from the Welsh flag, and the sett is based upon the MacDonald of the Isles tartan, as the Prince of Wales also holds the title Lord of the Isles.

House of Edgar weaves this cloth in a medium weight (modern and ancient colors), and I just completed a nice kilt in it not that long ago, from some custom woven heavy weight cloth. It's really an attractive tartan, in my opinion.

There is another tartan called Welsh Assembly that was designed in 1998 by Ronnie Hek to commemorate the creation of the Welsh Assembly. It uses the same colors, and so sometimes is confused with the Welsh National. I have also seen in at least one instance the Duke of Rothesay Hunting tartan being mistakenly (I hope it was an honest mistake!) sold as "Welsh National" because it has similar colors.

Aye,
Matt

Aye,
Matt

[Derek]

Hi Matt ... well it just goes to show .. I'm Welsh and did'nt even know about that Tartan. Come to that all the recent posts lately about being 'Celtic' and the 'Tartans' themselves, plus the 'Origins of Cilts/Kilts' etc, I have found really interesting to read and they have all been quite an insight to me really. Got to thank everyone for their knowledge and putting it all into words. Apart from the fact that I find my Cilt the most comfortable garment to wear, I am still proud of it even though it is a very new and modern tartan (as all the Welsh name tartans seem to be from what you've obviously correctly said). I believe I can still call myself a Celt as per Robs previous posts, my Grandfather and Great Grandfather and his father were all fluent Welsh speakers and it is sad that for some reasons, come what may ,it was'nt handed down to my father and then to me. My Grandfather actually had to be talk English just before my father was born in order to acquire a job on the Great Western Railway .. he became a coalman on the valleys goods trains. Anyhow not to digress from this thread .. thanks for the info, Iechyd Da
Derek

[Prester John]

Thanks all.

We are gearing up for our Service of Thanksgiving to God and Kirkin' O' the Tartans.

I'll have more on the forum shortly, PLUS we will actually be able to broadcast it live on the net.

Mark your calendars. More soon.

[M. A. C. Newsome]

Derek,

I haven't looked too extensively into what sparked the interest in Welsh kilt wearing, but from what information the Scottish Tartans Society and Scottish Tartans Authority have in their notes on the tartan, a society was formed in Cardiff in the late 60's to emphasise Welsh bonds with other Celtic countries. Since the kilt and the tartan were such good visible symbols, easily recognizes as something "Celtic" (and they *were* trying to represent their ties with other Celtic people -- i.e. the Scots) it was decided to adopt a tartan. So the first Welsh National tartan was born. From what I can tell, I don't think it has any actual status with the Welsh government.

Some people disagree with the Cardiff society origins of the tartan -- but I haven't heard any other theories. And the STS has record of at least one other "Welsh Tartan" that is brown, yellow and pink(!) that seems to be somewhat of an enigma.

The Welsh Tartan Centre has really seemed to popularize the tartan in Wales, and I beleive this is because they are, first and foremost, a commercial venture. The Cardiff society was not, and so did not have the same kind of marketing and advertising for their tartan as you see undertaken by the Welsh Tartan Centre. Nevertheless, until the WTC took off, their Welsh Tartan was what those of Welsh descent wore who wanted a "Welsh kilt!" (I suspect it was probably more seen in America than in Wales!).

I've nothing against the WTC, so long as their customers realize that the tartans they are selling are new tartans, of their own design, created and given a name strictly for their business. (Note: this is just how many of our beloved Scottish clan tartans got started, so in 200 years time, who is to say these Welsh family tartans won't enjoy the same status!) What I am afraid is happening, though, is that people are (intentionally or unintentionally) being misled into thinking these are old, traditional designs. I've posted on it months ago in my blog, commenting on some of the "history" being passed on at the WTC web site.

Aye,
Matt

[Derek]

Thanks again Matt for all that info. Well at least I know I'm at the forefront of what could be a bit of furture history. I feel quite proud of that. I'll just carry on crusading .. Iechyd Da
Derek