1803

[Woodsheal]

Box-pleated philabegs are pretty easy to make, but if you're not so inclined, this guy has late 18th C. style ones for $100US:

http://www.just2tailors.com/index1.p...labeg/Wee_kilt

[Sir Didymous]

Thanks for the link. I wonder if he cuts the rate when you supply your one tartan? Though clan tartans weren't used until later on I think.

[figheadair]

Thanks for the link. I wonder if he cuts the rate when you supply your one tartan? Though clan tartans weren't used until later on I think.

He does. read the last sentance on the link.

In 1803 the very first inklings Clan tartans of clan tartans were beginning to emerge amongst some of the chiefs involved with the Highland Society of London etc but it didn't really take off until just before the 1822 Levee.

[Sir Didymous]

I read somewhere that the Ferguson tartan is one of the older ones. I wonder if there is a way to find out just how old. I read the tartan authority's information on it but all it says is that it was in existence before their registery.

[Downunder Kilt]

I would say around the 1820. The Maclaren and Ferguson are the same apart from the yellow and white stripes, prior to 1820 the MacLaren was the Regent Tartan being woven by Wilsons for a number of years. Upon the Regent becomming King it was redundant as the Regent tartan but Wilsons apparently contunued to produce it. I would say it was snapped up by the MacLarens in the rush for tartans around that time. I would guess that the same is true for the Fergusons. Or was the Regent tartan a altered copy of a older Ferguson tartan. Good hunting on your quest

[figheadair]

I would say around the 1820. The Maclaren and Ferguson are the same apart from the yellow and white stripes, prior to 1820 the MacLaren was the Regent Tartan being woven by Wilsons for a number of years. Upon the Regent becomming King it was redundant as the Regent tartan but Wilsons apparently contunued to produce it. I would say it was snapped up by the MacLarens in the rush for tartans around that time. I would guess that the same is true for the Fergusons. Or was the Regent tartan a altered copy of a older Ferguson tartan. Good hunting on your quest

You must have been reading my book . And before the MacLaren was Regent it was Pattern No232 which means it pre-dates 1811. There is no evidence of the Ferguson version before a sample c1830 but in keeping with a lot of Wilsons' numbered patterns it's entirely possible, and probable, that it existed as a numbered sett slightly earlier. There is a completely different tartan in the Cockburn Collection (c1810-15) that is a simple asymmetric check. It has all the characteristics of being a numbered sett and there is no evidence to show why it was named Ferguson.

[Downunder Kilt]

You must have been looking over my shoulder Peter. As far as I am concerned, any person who has an interest in Scottish tartan, how its woven, designed or history, should have a copy of your book. Lucky I got two, as one is well worn, through the constant referencing.