Is Tweed Acceptably Traditional?

[creagdhubh]

I don't wish to side-track this very fine discussion, but may I just remind everyone that the two most prominent "discussers" are our two most prominent authorities on just this subject: XMarks Honour Roll Member Matthew Newsome of the Tartans Museum in North Carolina, and XMarks Honour Roll Member Peter Eslea Macdonald of the Scottish Tartans Authority in Scotland.

Thank you both, gentlemen, for contributing so much of your knowledge to this forum.

Agreed! Thank you to both gentlemen mentioned!!!

Cordially,

[seanachie]

With my non Scot background, the tweed we had at home and knew about comes from Donegal. Harris and other tweeds I have learned about here.
So I was in a discussion with John Hart of Keltoi, who has Donegal roots, and he told me that Donegal tweed is typically only available in 11 or 13 oz. weight.
From the great inputs here it seems that Scottish tweed is often 16 oz or heavier. I mention that because anyone interested in a tweed kilt might find the heavier tweed more to their liking for a kilt.

To be frank, too, I started to develop an interest in a tweed kilt from this thread but was worried about affordability. John also shared with me that Marton Mills offers the Cheviot range of tweeds that is comparable to their Jura tartan line.

[ThistleDown]

A bit further to the OP's question "is tweed traditional as kilt fabric", there is the mid-19C drawing of John Brown, of course, but no verification that that drawing was a true portrayal and not just a sitter's, commissioner's or artist's license.

We do, however, have five-generations-old official photos of The Mackintosh welcoming HM King George V, and the Prime Minister Lloyd George, to Moy Hall in September 1921. The Mackintosh was wearing a tweed kilt with matching jacket and waistcoat -- a Highland suit. That seems to give some sort of right to a claim of tweed tradition and acceptance to at least some level of "matching".

Peter I know you prefer to think in terms of 18C, but you may have a youthful memory of Captain Stuart Davidson's oft-worn tweed kilt in the 1960s (?) and 1970s to which he had added a watch pocket inside the left waist band, a key pocket inside the right band, and an under-apron pocket accessed from the right (proving that nothing is new under the sun).

If we accept the Brown portrait, do The Mackintosh and Captain Davidson adequately provide 150 years of "traditional" tweed kilt bridges to today?

[figheadair]

A bit further to the OP's question "is tweed traditional as kilt fabric", there is the mid-19C drawing of John Brown, of course, but no verification that that drawing was a true portrayal and not just a sitter's, commissioner's or artist's license.

We do, however, have five-generations-old official photos of The Mackintosh welcoming HM King George V, and the Prime Minister Lloyd George, to Moy Hall in September 1921. The Mackintosh was wearing a tweed kilt with matching jacket and waistcoat -- a Highland suit. That seems to give some sort of right to a claim of tweed tradition and acceptance to at least some level of "matching".

Peter I know you prefer to think in terms of 18C, but you may have a youthful memory of Captain Stuart Davidson's oft-worn tweed kilt in the 1960s (?) and 1970s to which he had added a watch pocket inside the left waist band, a key pocket inside the right band, and an under-apron pocket accessed from the right (proving that nothing is new under the sun).

If we accept the Brown portrait, do The Mackintosh and Captain Davidson adequately provide 150 years of "traditional" tweed kilt bridges to today?

Absolutely Rex. What I'm not sure about is how common matching outfits were before c1890-1900. Landeer's hunting portraits tend to show Ghillies in tweed kilt and shirt or non-tweed jacket.

[creagdhubh]

A bit further to the OP's question "is tweed traditional as kilt fabric", there is the mid-19C drawing of John Brown, of course, but no verification that that drawing was a true portrayal and not just a sitter's, commissioner's or artist's license.

We do, however, have five-generations-old official photos of The Mackintosh welcoming HM King George V, and the Prime Minister Lloyd George, to Moy Hall in September 1921. The Mackintosh was wearing a tweed kilt with matching jacket and waistcoat -- a Highland suit. That seems to give some sort of right to a claim of tweed tradition and acceptance to at least some level of "matching".

Peter I know you prefer to think in terms of 18C, but you may have a youthful memory of Captain Stuart Davidson's oft-worn tweed kilt in the 1960s (?) and 1970s to which he had added a watch pocket inside the left waist band, a key pocket inside the right band, and an under-apron pocket accessed from the right (proving that nothing is new under the sun).

If we accept the Brown portrait, do The Mackintosh and Captain Davidson adequately provide 150 years of "traditional" tweed kilt bridges to today?

Wonderful and rather intriguing point(s) Rex, to be well received indeed. Interesting.

Cordially,

[OC Richard]

I've always found this image interesting, Queen Victoria landing at Loch Muick in 1852.



BTW hose with a pattern very much like that (but without the castellated cuffs) appear in The Highlanders of Scotland.

[creagdhubh]

Wonderful image, Richard. I have seen this rendition before, very romantic indeed. In speaking of HRH Queen Victoria, the film, "Mrs. Brown" starring Dame Judi Dench, playing the role of VR, and native-Scot, Billy Connolly (as the famous, Mr. John Brown), is yes a work of dramatic licensing, however, based upon historical fact. My point is, there are several, well shot scenes that show ghillies from the Balmoral estate dresses in heavy tweeds, to include tweed kilts - particulary during the deer stalking scenes. I enjoy this film every time I view it, a well-rounded group of some of my favourite actors...not to mention the gorgeous Scottish scenery shot around Balmoral and Lochnagar.

[JSFMACLJR]

Here is a photograph of my great-uncle wearing a tweed kilt, albeit when he was a boy.

[creagdhubh]

Marvelous photo, Sandy! Thanks for sharing your rich fmaily history!

Hope you are well my friend,

Cheers,

[xman]

And FWIW, in addition to M.A.C. Newsome and Ancienne Alliance, I believe Arlen, Hamish, and Redshank also have tweed kilts.

And if I may included in such austere company.