Reading a Tartan

[Freelander Sporrano]

No I havn't run out of books;

I know that some present day tartans are based on tartans which have come after Culloden or recorded some other way.I know that at Culloden That it was reported that it was difficult to tell which clan was which. They used the cockade in the bonnet to tell the differnce from what I have read.

The colouring of a clan tartans is suposed to be based on the vegetation in the area the clan originated from.

So to my question. How do you read a tartan ? Put another way :What are the resons behind the colours?

As some of you know I'm particully intrested in the Fermanagh tartan at the moment.It's so different from any tartan I've seen before. I'm interested to find out why.Are there any books, or web sites. I tried the Tartan Authority. The tartan is there but no backgroud.

I hope one of our more learned members can point me in the right direction. I just love to know the background to what I wear.

Thanks up front....David

[mcnice]

has each tartan really such a colour background? i now that some have, but others might have been designed without. but maybe i am wrong?

[macwilkin]

I think a lot of it depends on when a tartan was designed -- newer District, Organisational, etc. tartans tend to have meanings behind their colours, but older tartans do not. This especially applies to District Tartans.

One that instantly comes to mind is the Nova Scotia Tartan, one of the first District Tartans outside of Scotland (and my wife's tartan!):

http://www.gov.ns.ca/legislature/HOU...ols/tartan.htm

If you can get a copy of "District Tartans" by Teal and Smith, it explains the symbolism of many of the tartans listed -- but is a very pricey book, but worth every penny!

Cheers,

T.

[Freelander Sporrano]

Is this the book
http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/...663043-9294851

And does it cover the Irish tartans

Cheers.....David

[Casey]

David,

If you are going to make such aa post please do not eliminate our witty(?) comebacks by prefacing the post.

As you can see, from this post, it doesn't work anyway.

Casey

[Freelander Sporrano]

David,

If you are going to make such aa post please do not eliminate our witty(?) comebacks by prefacing the post.

As you can see, from this post, it doesn't work anyway.

Casey

I won't stop you ....But hey I'm highjacking my own post......Must be a first

I'm just trying (and some might say failing) to be serious for once thats all .These things interest me It my left hand that I'm writting with thats my serious one

[macwilkin]

Yep, that's it, and it does have some of the Irish tartans...but since it came out before the Irish county tartans were released in the 1990's, it does not cover them.

The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Tartan and World Tartans both by Iain Zaczek, have the Irish County Tartans in them.

Cheers,

T.

[Freelander Sporrano]

Yep, that's it, and it does have some of the Irish tartans...but since it came out before the Irish county tartans were released in the 1990's, it does not cover them.

The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Tartan and World Tartans both by Iain Zaczek, have the Irish County Tartans in them.

Cheers,

T.

Thanks Episc'...So it's off to Amazon I go.....

[Casey]

Yea, thanks. One sees all these "expert" books and wonders......

Casey

[macwilkin]

Those three books are my "Holy Trinity" (not to be flippant) of my Scottish library in regards to all things Tartan.

Cheers,

T.