Queen Victoria's Tartans?

[David Thorpe]

While perusing Frommer's Scotland Travel Guide last night, I came across an interesting tidbit which stated something to the effect that Queen Victoria designated two tartans to be worn by people of Scottish heritage living outwith Scotland. The piece did not however name the tartans. Can anyone shed some light on which tartans the two might be?

[figheadair]

Nope, and I very much doubt that she did.

[David Thorpe]

Thank you. I'll do some research and maybe try to get in touch with the author of the article to find the source for the story.

Edit: From the section titled "Garb o' the Gods" paragraph 4:

"Today, there are at least 300 tartans, each subtly distinct from the others, and all are available for sale in Scotland's shops and markets. If you're not fortunate enough to be of Scottish extraction, don't worry: Queen Victoria long ago authorized two Lowland designs as suitable garb for Sassenachs (the English and, more remotely, the Americans)."

Link to page: http://www.frommers.com/destinations...238020416.html

[Mither Tap]

I would hazard a guess that the two tartans the article is referring to is the Black watch and Royal Stewart tartans as they have long been seen as "generic / non clan" tartans

Im sure that this categorisation has little to do with Victoria though.

Chris S

[David Thorpe]

Those would be my guesses as well. I contacted Frommer's and asked for the source of the story. I will of course post any relevant reply.

[figheadair]

Okay, authorised and designed are obviously two different things. There is no evidence that QV ever designed a tartan although Prince Albert is credited with the design of the Balmoral (actually a tweed and not a tartan, well at least originally). I don't that QV ever authorised a tartan to be worn either let alone two. It was simply not in her gift.

[David Thorpe]

My original paraphrase contained "designated" but not "designed". No matter. I think the author of the article in Frommer's may have either misunderstood or "fudged" the facts. Mystery solved, except for the author's source.