Is Stewart Hunting REALLY universal??

**Spartan Tartan** · 20th February 12, 07:05 AM

Just a quick thought...is the Stewart Hunting Tartan really considered a universal sett?

That just seems odd to me. Most of the tartans that are named for families are not generally considered "Universal".

**sailortats** · 20th February 12, 07:16 AM

I too would like to know the answer to that question. I am of the Stewart clan and my "for best" kilt is the ancient Stewart Hunting.
I have noticed that for some reason many, if not all, of the Stewart tartans are listed as "universal" i.e. Royal Stewart, Black Stewart and the Hunting Stewart. I am not sure about the Blue Stewart and the Camel Stewart tartans. Is this because the Stewarts are such a large clan?

**Pleater** · 20th February 12, 07:27 AM

I think all the Stewart tartans are universal.

Anne the Pleater :ootd:

**Spartan Tartan** · 20th February 12, 07:28 AM

Sailortats,

I am glad you chimned in...that is precisely my point!

**ForresterModern** · 20th February 12, 07:34 AM

It is my understanding that the Stewart tartans were at one time royal tartans but since the Stewarts are no longer the royal line, although they likely still have supporters to this day (residual Jacobites), their tartans have become universal pretty much across the board---Stewart Royal (red), Hunting (green), Black, Grey, Camel, Dress standard and the blue and purple dress variants. Stewart sub-family tartans may not be universal, however---e.g. Stewart of Appin. Probably after Black Watch the various standard Stewarts are the most popular universals around, IMHO, although I don't have any statistics. McMurdo is a big Stewart wearer, I believe because of some family connection, and hopefully he will chime in with his opinion. There are restricted Stewart tartans, but those are the Stewart Racing team tartan (automobile racing team).

**Ryan Ross** · 20th February 12, 07:48 AM

Tartan is as tartan does, I always say.

If people wear it as a universal tartan, then it's a universal tartan by virtue of it's common usage... probably.

**Spartan Tartan** · 20th February 12, 08:04 AM

Originally Posted by Ryan Ross

Tartan is as tartan does, I always say.

If people wear it as a universal tartan, then it's a universal tartan by virtue of it's common usage... probably.

Touche'

**macwilkin** · 20th February 12, 08:15 AM

The problem is with the term "universal" and its association with the Government Sett. At one time in the 1880s, there was a move by Whitehall to force the Scottish regiments to wear the same tartan as a way to save money. The Black Watch tartan was going to be the "universal" tartan, but the move was successfully resisted by the regiments.

Over time, that "universal" designation has come to mean an "open" tartan, but its original intent referred to regimental tartans.

Stewart Hunting was worn by the Royal Scots Regiment, until its amalgamation with the KOSB to form the "Royal Scots Borderers", which is a battalion of the new Royal Regiment of Scotland -- and now, all battalions wear the Government Sett.

I would suspect that the Stewart Hunting's "universal" designation has something to do with its use by the Royal Scots, but I'll defer to Matt or Peter for more detailed information.

Regards,

Todd

**Spartan Tartan** · 20th February 12, 08:35 AM

cajunscot,

Thanks for the historical note about "universal". That actually makes sense from a usage perspective and wanting a "universal" look to all the military regiments.

That is similar to the U.S. Navy using "black" dye for the "Navy Blue" uniforms. The use of black ensures uniformity in appearance when made by different companies and dye lots. So, in actuality, the DRESS BLUES are really black.

**davidg** · 20th February 12, 08:41 AM

My understanding is that the Stewart tartan, in all its forms, is the Royal tartan and the Queen is its effective clan chief. As subjects of the Queen, anyone can wear any Stewart tartan with the exception of any tartan based on that sett that are reserved to the Royal Family itself (e.g. Balmoral - I think it has a Stewart base to it)

How that applies to anyone outside the UK I do not know but I doubt anyone will be sent to the Tower to be beheaded

Of course, most tartans including the Stewart variations are well out of copyright now anyway so legally there's not much that can be done to stop anyone wearing practically anything they wish to