Strathearn?

[Benning Boy]

Tell me about Strathearn tartan. Is it district, royal, universal, or something else? I kinda like it, but don't know quite where it fits in.

[Steve Ashton]

There are three Tartans registered with The Scottish Tartans Authority that have Strathhearn in the name.

ITI #1890 dated 1820 by Wilson's of Bannockburn
"The count is dated 3/1/1820. Pattern Book 3. STS entry: Ref: The Setts No. 244 The Strathearn tartan is said to have been worn by the father of Queen Victoria H.R.H. Edward, Duke of Kent, who was also Duke of Strathearn. As Colonel of the Royal Scots Regiment 1801-1821, he apparently sent a sample to Wilson's of Bannockburn with a view to 'dressing the gallant corps'. It is also the adopted tartan of the Comrie Pipe Band."

ITI #6844 dated 2005 by Jennifer Logan.
"Part of the Scottish Executive?s strategy - Determined to Succeed (DtS) for enterprise in education which aims to help Scotland?s young people develop self-confidence, self-reliance and ambition to achieve their goals - in work and in life. It encourages the next generation of Scots to see the value in vocational and enterprising learning, entrepreneurship and appropriately focussed career education. This tartan was just one output from a range of small businesses ventures established by a cluster group of 7 schools in Strathearn. A school-wide competition was organised amongst the primary schools (aged 5 to 11) and the design chosen for further development was entered by Jennifer Logan of Crieff Primary School. With design and operational help from the Tartans Authority the new tartan was taken through to the weaving and make-up stage at Ingles Buchan of Glasgow. A wide range of items in the tartan will be sold at the schools and at local coffee mornings and similar events."

And
ITI #664 dated 1988 by Harry Lindley
"Designed by Harry Lindley of Kinloch Anderson and instigated by the Crieff & Strathearn Tourist Association. The colours were a little too fashion oriented and the tartan was never very popular although it is still seen around. It was woven by D.C.Dalgliesh of Selkirk. Sample in STA Dalgety Collection."

Which one do you mean?

[figheadair]

I'm guessing that the OP refers to the first sett in which case it is a 'Royal District Universal' tartan.

[Domehead]

Which begs the question "Why is it not restricted?"

In the Gordon Teall of Teallach & Dr. Phillip D. Smith, Jr. work, District Tartans, 1992, Strathearn is one of only three setts, among 56 Scottish District setts, which give no specific indication it is available to everyone. The others being Dunblane & Rothesay

As well, James D. Scarlett, in Tartan: The Highland Textile, 1990, Appx. F, p189 includes the following note from Wilson's themselves, regarding samples they sent James Logan for his 1831 work, which he subsequently omitted:
"Earl of Strathearn. Tartan worn by the Royals by order of the Duke of Kent"

Scarlett also includes a wonderful note on the artistic / thematic construction of the pattern itself, which Figheadair, Mr. Newsome, et al or O.C. Richard might comment on.

As with many "Royal" tartans, the cat is well-and-truly out of the bag. But, it seems this particular sett, save for the Pipe Band in central Perth, has nothing but Royal pedigree.

Ryan

[Benning Boy]

It's the Strathearn Royal that got my attention.



When looking at the tartans available for Burnett's & Struth $199 kilt sale I noticed Strathearn Ancient available. Not knowing it I decided to research it. Using both Google and Bing to search images I've found a handful of versions. Also looked at the Tartan Registry and Tartan Authority sites, and Scotweb. The Dalgliesh versions don't have royal in the name. I haven't found Strathearn Ancient specifically attributed to Lochcarron, but have asked James at B&S if he can send me a picture of it. It's not even listed on the Lochcarron site. I did find a House of Edgar version I really like. It's listed as a district tartan. They all remind me of prairie flowers, especially some that grow more commonly west on the High Plains.

It's depicted on the actual Strathearn District web site, suggesting to me it may be considered a district tartan. But of course there's the royal affiliation. I did find a picture of the Duchess of Cambridge wearing a tartan scarf said to be Strathearn, but to my eye it doesn't look quite the same as other examples.

[Domehead]

As Mr. MacDonald (Figheadair) said, it is a District Sett. The image of the Duchess of Cambridge wearing the tartan scarf is most likely associated with that made by D.C. Dalgliesh Artisan Weavers in Selkirk, a favorite of myself and others on XMTS. They featured her image wearing said article, re-introducing the sett to the public.

I was referencing that except for the Balmoral, many of the "Royal" tartans have gone the way of "universal". I'm not necessarily sure that they should. If we are to balance the actual history of "named" tartan phenomena with the significance attached to "clan" tartans through wont-&-use, then such respect should be observed in both directions.

Ryan

[BCAC]

As Mr. MacDonald (Figheadair) said, it is a District Sett. The image of the Duchess of Cambridge wearing the tartan scarf is most likely associated with that made by D.C. Dalgliesh Artisan Weavers in Selkirk, a favorite of myself and others on XMTS. They featured her image wearing said article, re-introducing the sett to the public.

I was referencing that except for the Balmoral, many of the "Royal" tartans have gone the way of "universal". I'm not necessarily sure that they should. If we are to balance the actual history of "named" tartan phenomena with the significance attached to "clan" tartans through wont-&-use, then such respect should be observed in both directions.

Ryan

Like you said, it's a district sett. It's not restricted. He can wear it if he wants to.

[Domehead]

And here we go again. BCAC, you've a tendency toward curt responses which drives me nuts.

I didn't say the sett wasn't a "District" sett.
I didn't say the OP couldn't wear it.

The OP clearly stated, "I don't know quite where it fits in"
That is an inquisitive statement which invites conversation / education.
I've actually deferred to expert input from others.

But, please, peer surface deep & participate with an ice pick.

Ryan

[Benning Boy]

Thanks for the comments. I would like to know more. I said above B&S listed Strathearn Ancient on the sale list. I apparently had ancient on my mind, as I was just looking at it before making that post. Clearly it's Strathearn Modern on the sale list.

[figheadair]

Wilsons' reference to "Earl of Strathearn. Tartan worn by the Royals by order of the Duke of Kent" is intriguing but needs to be viewed in the context of the time. The concept of clan/family tartans was in it's infancy in the early 1800s. The 1822 Levee gave it a focus that really moved the whole concept from being a Highland to a Scottish family symbol. The Royal Family had no particular affiliation for tartan before then and even then it was very much a passing whim. It did not become regularised until the Victorian era.

Wilsons' comment did not refer to a Royal tartan but to a tartan for the Royals, probably the Royal Scots of which the Earl of Strathearn was Colonel in Chief. His death in 1820 there helps date the Strathearn tartan to c1800-20 but what is not clear is why Wilsons called it Earl of Strathearn but my view is that it was probably designed by them following a commission by the D of E and K intended 'for his regiment'. One might therefore more logically call this a Military sett as opposed to a Royal one although it was never formally adopted as such by the Army.

Today it is generally worn as a District tartan although I know of a least one family of the name that wear it as a family tartan - for obvious reasons. As to which version, as with most things that were Wilsons', it looks best in their shades. Modern colours are too harsh in my opinion but it does look attractive in Muted colours which as nearer Wilsons' but not as nice.