Cameron of Erracht appropriateness

**TheOfficialBren** · 22nd February 13, 07:08 PM

I have never been in the Military. I am not associated with Clan Cameron.

Is the Cameron of Erracht tartan similarly regarded the way Black Watch/Campbell is regarded--somewhat universal?

What is the history of this tartan and which regimemts wore it?

**Downunder Kilt** · 22nd February 13, 11:03 PM

On this site is a downloadable copy of the History of the 79th, should you be interested
http://archive.org/details/historicalrecord00grearich
The tartan was allegedly created at the time of the raising of the regiment and according to the Scottish Register of Tartans has never been adopted by the clan chief as a clan tartan

**TheOfficialBren** · 22nd February 13, 11:09 PM

Thank you, DK. Am I correct in assuming that it is considered a Universal tartan, then? I am aware of the clan tartan tradition being relatively recent but really like that tartan and wouldn't want to step on anyone's toes.

I should bookend this by saying that I stick to clan tartans that I am connected with and universal tartans.

**Downunder Kilt** · 23rd February 13, 12:00 AM

As it not been adopted by the Clan Chief as per the S.R.O.T. Registration notes: Designed for the Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders raised by Alan Cameron of Erracht in 1793. It was never adopted by the clan. Further information can be found in 'The Scottish Regiments', 2nd edition, by Dr. Diana Henderson. HarperCollins Publishers, 1996. It is also classed as a military tartan by that institution, so there is no clan affiliation. I believe that Tobus has a ex army kilt in this tartan, but I don't know if he has any affiliation with a regiment that wore it.

I don't really know if you would put it in the "universal" class or not

**figheadair** · 23rd February 13, 12:57 AM

Originally Posted by Downunder Kilt

As it not been adopted by the Clan Chief as per the S.R.O.T. Registration notes: Designed for the Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders raised by Alan Cameron of Erracht in 1793. It was never adopted by the clan. Further information can be found in 'The Scottish Regiments', 2nd edition, by Dr. Diana Henderson. HarperCollins Publishers, 1996. It is also classed as a military tartan by that institution, so there is no clan affiliation. I believe that Tobus has a ex army kilt in this tartan, but I don't know if he has any affiliation with a regiment that wore it.

I don't really know if you would put it in the "universal" class or not

The Erracht is not a universal tartan in the commonly accepted terms but as there is no such thing as a 'right' to wear any particular tartan there is no reason why it should not be worn by anyone that likes it. I have no Cameron or 79th affiliations but I used to have a 79th NY Highlanders' reconstruction kilt because of just that - I liked it.

Although the chief has apparently never explicitly adopted it he/they have done implicitly. The current clan website says of it that The tartan worn in the McIan print and by Lochiel is Cameron of Lochiel and is normally only worn by members of the family .

Historically speaking the S.R.O.T. Registration notes are incorrect. The tartan was not designed for the Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders (there was a King on the throne in1793) but for the 79th Regiment of Foot (Cameron's).

**Lorna** · 23rd February 13, 07:24 AM

Although this thread is not asking the same question that you are, there may be some information in it that you may find interesting. Happy kilting!

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/s...ad.php?t=76407

**guardsman** · 23rd February 13, 10:55 AM

Erracht tartan is not recognised by the Chief Lochiel, wonder if this is anything to do with the Camerons of Erracht trying to sieze the captaincy of the Clan a long long time ago. Only tartan for Camerons is the Cameron basic, Lochiels is for the Chief and his family only unless granted .

**TheOfficialBren** · 23rd February 13, 12:36 PM

Thank you for your insight, chaps. I really appreciate it. This tartan has been on my "would be nice to have" list for a while but I make it a personal rule to only wear tartans that I have a connection to or are not another clans tartan. I am aware that there re no hard set rules on this tartan thing but the unspoken gentleman's agreement is a factor for me. With that said, it seems that I might be safe with this tartan.

**Grizzly** · 24th February 13, 12:22 AM

Just to throw a spanner in to the works. This is taken directly from the Clan Cameron Association website. They have no problem with accepting Cameron of Erracht as one of the 4 Cameron tartans. Whether its recognised by S.R.O.T or not it is recognised by Cameron's.-

TARTANS There are four basic tartans which are utilized by the Clan Cameron, each of which is usually found available in "modern" (bright and lively colors), "weathered" (softer hues) and "ancient" (supposedly more authentic colors) variations.

1) Basic Clan Cameron: This sixteen green squares upon a red background sett, with a bright yellow bordering, is for general use by all members of Clan Cameron. If one tartan had to be singled out for general use by Camerons worldwide, Basic Clan Cameron would be the one. As is the case with most clan tartans, this is one from the Vestiarium of Scoticum in 1834, which was accepted by the then Lochiel. It very much resembles an old red and green square sett in the West Highlands Museum in Fort William, although there are some variations.

2) Cameron of Lochiel: This red and blue tartan is similar to that worn by the 18th Chief, Donald "The Gentle Lochiel" Cameron in a portrait hanging at Achnacarry. It was first illustrated in 1810 in Wilson's Collection. This is the personal tartan of the Chief and his immediate family; as a rule it should not be worn by clansfolk.

3) Cameron of Erracht: Said to have been designed by the wife of Donald, 7th of Erracht in 1793 (there are many theories as to its origin, none of which seem entirely satisfactory). This combination of the Cameron and MacDonald tartans uses a deep red, dark blue, green and a fine gold line. It was created for the use of the original 79th Regiment, later known as The Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders, raised in 1793 by their eldest son, General Sir Allan Cameron, K.C.B. Regardless of its origin, this tartan has been in use by The Cameron Highlanders since their late-eighteenth century inception. It is often used as a day or "hunting" tartan, because of its "serviceable" colors. At times it has been strictly reserved for use among the regiment, but is now in wide use among Clan Cameron. This tartan was not created as a tribal clothing specifically for the Erracht Camerons. Therefore, if any Cameron ancestors owned this tartan, it does not mean that they were Camerons of Erracht. Quite the contrary, it probably indicates a regimental affiliation or even a school uniform, as some Highland academic institutions required students to dress in this tartan.

4) Hunting Cameron (of Lochiel): With its soft shades of green and blue, this tartan is not listed as being restricted in its use. It was devised because the Basic Clan Cameron tartan was considered too bright for shootings, stalking and hiking. Designed in 1956, it was based on a description of the tartan worn by the clansmen who fought under Sir Ewen Cameron, 17th Chief, at the battle of Killiecrankie.

**Downunder Kilt** · 24th February 13, 02:32 AM

Grizzly, the tartan is recognised as a registered tartan by the SROT but their notes on the tartan indicate that it has not been recognised by the clan. As a member of the Clan association perhaps you could bring this error to the office bearers of the Clan attention and have the entry corrected at the SROT, thus saving confusion in the future.