The swatches I have ordered are starting to roll in and it has had three effects on me.

1. Jonesing. I'm like a heroin junky that hasn't had a fix, or a smoker who needs a cancer stick, or a caffeine addict who hasn't had his morning cup, laying the swatches over my lap and imagining what they will feel like when I wear them, or draping them over my wife's shoulder to see how well they compliment her.

2. Since these pigments look remarkably different IRL than the wavelengths from my computer screen I understand fully how important it is for the discerning tartan buyer to get samples for consideration. The HoE muted that my wife was lukewarm about on the computer screen got her cooing when she saw it in front of her. "I'd wear that" she declares without hesitation.

3. Not all setts are the same. Strathmore is producing Clanranald in a different thread count (*4521 I think) than the other mills (standard, **approved? 427).

* The registry informs us that this thread count was designed by Wilsons of Bannockburn so may be more 'historically accurate'

** I understand that the chiefs are responsible for approving the tartans, but where is this information made available if anywhere? I'm beginning to think that sett 4559 might be Captain Clanranald's personal choice and not officially approved for all clan members.

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