Oldest MacDonald sett?

[David Dubh]

I'm hoping to hear from our resident experts on this.
But what MacDonald tartan has the oldest known pedigree associated with the clan. And to what year can it be reliably dated
Thanks David

[figheadair]

I'm hoping to hear from our resident experts on this.
But what MacDonald tartan has the oldest known pedigree associated with the clan. And to what year can it be reliably dated
Thanks David

Clan Donald is fortunate in having a number, probably more than any other clan, of tartans that pre-date 1800.

Both these tartans are proven to date to 1746 and unlike tartans in portraits, the settings can be verified from surviving specimens.

MacDonald of Borrodale

MacDonald of Kingsburgh

The original MacDonald of Glenaladale plaid was taken to PEI in 1773 but is thought to have been worn at Culloden.

The MacDonald of Keppoch tartan is also taken from a specimen of an 18h century plaid, likely to be pre-1760. And then there is the c1750 portrait of the MacDonald Boys in which the younger wears what we now call the Lord of the Isles (Red).

[David Dubh]

Thanks Peter
It is always fascinating to hear of actual pieces of fabric that can be dated to almost 300 years ago living rough so to speak not stored in a hermaphicly sealed case somewhere.
Do you know when the main clan Donald tartan was established?
Regards David

[figheadair]

Thanks Peter
It is always fascinating to hear of actual pieces of fabric that can be dated to almost 300 years ago living rough so to speak not stored in a hermaphicly sealed case somewhere.
Do you know when the main clan Donald tartan was established?
Regards David

There is no evidence to date the Clan Donald before c1790-1800.

[David Dubh]

There is no evidence to date the Clan Donald before c1790-1800.

So it would have been set shortly after the Act of Proscription was repealed?
How many clan tartans were established in this time frame? How many date pre proscription?
Thanks David

[figheadair]

So it would have been set shortly after the Act of Proscription was repealed?
How many clan tartans were established in this time frame? How many date pre proscription?
Thanks David

David,

The pre-Proscription tartans still in use has been discussed before, see here.

The Act of Proscription was Repealed in 1782 so the Clan Donald is likely to be 15-20 years after that, which puts it in the mid-Highland Revival period. It's possible that it was originally a Fencible tartan, we know that the Glengarry was used for the Glengarries Fencibles in c1815. To understand what was going on at the time vis-à-vis new tartans it’s worth reading up on Wilsons of Bannockburn and their designs.