In search of tweed.

[figheadair]

[QUOTE=Jock Scot;1353194]

As far as I am aware the Balmoral Estate has been the personal property of the Monarch since the 1850's.

Balmoral was purchased for Queen Victoria by Prince Albert in 1852, having been first leased in 1848.

The Balmoral Tartan was designed by Prince Albert sometime before 1857 and the Balmoral Estate tweed, also designed by Prince Albert(I think) was about in the 1850's too, and is still worn with pride by Balmoral Estate staff to this day.

I very much that Prince Albert designed either. He may have come up with the idea but the technicalities, especially of the Balmoral Tartan, would have required a weaver to do the actual design work. When first woven the Tartan was worn by the Ghillies, the Royal Family continued to wear the Royal Stewart until the 1870/1880s when the Royals started wearing the Balmoral tartan too.

[Jock Scot]

I can only quote from Scottish Estate Tweed , by Johnstons of Elgin, page 99, who state quite clearly that Prince Albert is given the credit of designing the Balmoral tartan, but they are not quite so clear on who designed the tweed. However local hearsay does give him the credit. Who am I to argue?

[Fedgunner]

Ok, the Balmoral is right out. The thread discussing Donegal tweed provided me with some nice choices however.

[Downunder Kilt]

Balmoral-Tweed (1).jpg

I gather the above tweed was the one we have been referring to as Balmoral

[Jock Scot]

Balmoral-Tweed (1).jpg

I gather the above tweed was the one we have been refering to as Balmoral

That is indeed the Balmoral Estate tweed.