42nd with red stripe

**figheadair** · 18th July 15, 02:42 AM

The debate about whether the 42nd (Black Watch) ever wore a red stripe in the standard setting has raged for many years and been discussed in this thread and elsewhere. What is not in doudt is that the regiment did wear a simplified setting with a red stripe on both blue and green grounds. Wilsons' records c1790 and their 1819 KPB both give details.

I recently had a length done by Elliots to match the original setting and shades for a group of re-enactors who wore it at the Waterloo 200th. Here's a picture of the cloth. I'm waiting for some of it made up and worn atfrom the Waterloo event.

**Orionson** · 18th July 15, 04:56 AM

Well done, Sir. This is a truly beautiful tartan. I love the subdued hues. Yet another example of the very fine work done by Robin Elliot at Andrew Elliot Weavers. I trust that you went with the scrubbed only finish?

**figheadair** · 18th July 15, 04:59 AM

Originally Posted by Orionson

Well done, Sir. This is a truly beautiful tartan. I love the subdued hues. Yet another example of the very fine work done by Robin Elliot at Andrew Elliot Weavers. I trust that you went with the scrubbed only finish?

Indeed, scoured only.

**Orionson** · 18th July 15, 05:11 AM

Looking at the photo again and really soaking up the colours, I seriously love the way they interact with each other and to my eye seemingly "lift" the colours somehow. The blue is especially rich.

I am not a kilt collector, per se ~ however, I would like to have a scarf in this fine tartan. In fact, I wouldn't mind having a scarf in each of the new recreations you and Robin have been working on of late.

**davidlpope** · 18th July 15, 07:09 PM

Isn't this Wilsons' Coarse Kilt tartan?

**figheadair** · 19th July 15, 12:07 AM

Originally Posted by davidlpope

Isn't this Wilsons' Coarse Kilt tartan?

Although listed as Coarse kilt the 1819 KPB it's clear from an Account Book c1790 where they list it as 42nd Ptes' and Sgts' Kilts for the 400 Reed that the setting was particular to that regiment. The 1819 includes a course kilt for both the standard 42nd and the 78th tartans and although not included, it's a fair bet that they also wove the other regimental tartans in a coarse kilt setting too. Coarse cloth seems to have been used for fatigue kilts at a time when plaids were still worn for campaign and parade dress.

Interestingly, this simplified sett 'appears' to that worn by the 4th Duke of Atholl if David Allan's portrait c1780. It could be that Allan simply miss recorded the standard Murray of Atholl but it is quite clear that there is a red stripe centred on each of the B/G grounds.

**IsaacW** · 19th July 15, 06:34 AM

Fantastic!

**Orvis** · 20th July 15, 04:52 AM

I have a four-yard box-pleat kilt (by Matt Newsome) in this tartan. The cloth is in Wilson's colors, has a black selvedge mark and is "in the grease" (i.e., unfinished after being taken off the loom). It was woven some years ago by D.C. Dalgliesh with coordination of the project by Mr. MacDonald. I always get compliments on the tartan when I wear this kilt, and (as a reenactor) I am very pleased with it due to its historical connections.

**Sir William** · 20th July 15, 06:14 AM

Originally Posted by Orvis

I have a four-yard box-pleat kilt (by Matt Newsome) in this tartan. The cloth is in Wilson's colors, has a black selvedge mark and is "in the grease" (i.e., unfinished after being taken off the loom). It was woven some years ago by D.C. Dalgliesh with coordination of the project by Mr. MacDonald. I always get compliments on the tartan when I wear this kilt, and (as a reenactor) I am very pleased with it due to its historical connections.

And a very beautiful kilt it is, too!

**figheadair** · 2nd August 15, 10:26 PM

I've recently transcribed a fascinating Wilsons' letter of 1793 from an Edinburgh supplier named Mason & Thomson complaining about being sent the wrong tartan.

I wish we may not have brought ourselves into a hobble about the 42nd kilt - those sent limey green & blue stripe in place of the red stripe - could you make your self acquainted whither the 42nd had always the red stripe pattern for kilt as noted or when the change took place - our order was for the 42nd Sett - if that is departed from of course we will be blamed

It's not clear but implication is that Mason & Thomson were acting as an agent in supplying the cloth, possibly to the regiment. The agent was to supply kilt cloth which they expected to be that with the red stripe but had been sent the standard 42nd sett. It's also clear from their enquiry that the red line sett had been worn for some time before 1793. What a shame we don't have Wilsons' reply.