Fraser Hunting Tartan: Why are these Different?

[Kent Frazier]

And does it matter?

From USA Kilts:


From the Fraser chief website:


Note the absence of the white stripe in the tartan from USA Kilts.

I received a swatch from Rockey today. As I was looking at it, something seemed "different" but I couldn't put my finger on it. I then looked at a computer wallpaper I had made using the image from the Fraser Chief website and noticed the white stripe.

I have to say I was really impressed with the fabric and colors. I'm just curious as to the difference

Thanks,

Kent

[cavscout]

None of this should be taken as gospel as I am not an expert but here's what I've found

http://www.tartans.scotland.net/tart...an_id=1878.htm

You see the note that this tartan was found in a shop window in 1943 and is reported to be a fashion tartan.

If you read Rocky's note under his swatch on the web site, it talks more about it was commissioned by Lord Lovat for one of the militias in 1855 but dates to 1842.

I've looked through the collection of tartans associated to the Fraser name that the Clan Society here in Georgia has and this particular tartan is in there.

Bottom line as I see it is, Lady Saltoun says there are many Fraser Tartans that have been created over the years, some more common or more easily identifiable as Fraser than others. To me, the Brown field with the blue and green lines forming the concentric squares is commonly associated with Fraser so I feel this is unique enough to be classified as a version Fraser.

It would be great to get enough orders together to have Rocky order a bolt of a special run of the Fraser Hunting with the White line. As it is, that will probably be my first hand sewn wool kilt.

[Kent Frazier]

I've checked the Scottish Tartans Authority's Tartan Ferret. It shows the same tartan as on the Fraser Chief site with similar information as that on Rocky's (Designer: Sobieski Stuarts, Date: 1842).

Don't get me wrong, I like the tartan Rocky has. Maybe even better that the other. I'm just curious about the difference.

[McMurdo]

I am not sure about which Fraser tartan is correct, I do like them both, and given that the "designers" are listed as the Sobieski Stuarts, I'm not sure it matters which one you choose.
Here is the wikipedia link to the Sobieski Stuarts, some dubious claims to say the least. Matt Newsome has some information on them as well if you are interested here.

[James MacMillan]

I have a Fraser in my family background, so I once did a search for that tartan, and at that time found close to 20 different tartans associated with the Frasers. Tartans listed here are 19. Trying to compare them is hard. Also, when you look at the different "Fraser" tartans offered by different kilt suppliers, the designs vary dramatically. I think some of the bigger houses simplify the tartan design for unknown reasons, or for cost?

The STA seems to be the boss of tartans, but that should not make you any less proud to wear a Fraser variant if you like it.

[macwilkin]

For your perusal, an article about Fraser tartans by Lady Saltoun, Chief of the name and arms of Fraser:

http://www.fraserchief.co.uk/tartans.html

Cheers,

Todd

[pipesndrumsnun]

Those Frasers, always trying to complicate things!

[gilmore]

...
The STA seems to be the boss of tartans, but that should not make you any less proud to wear a Fraser variant if you like it.

The highest authority as to defining what is or is not a clan's tartan is the chief of the clan.

[macwilkin]

The highest authority as to defining what is or is not a clan's tartan is the chief of the clan.

See the aforementioned article by Lady Saltoun.

T.