Thanks Matt. I wouldn't disagree with anything you say. But I'd nonetheless still note that while traditional named tartans have indeed within relatively recent history become recorded with more or less universally accepted versions (and contemporary designs are almost always more closely defined) it remains the case that even the respected weavers can differ in the versions they produce. Perhaps this is sometimes simple error. But on other occasions it's a matter of preference and policy as to how they interpret a traditional pattern. I think we're in danger of getting too hung up on a modern predilection for precision, when arguably the real meaning of tartan lies in the pattern being broadly recognised by the people who want to share it and wear it.

As for the Harris Tweed tartans, I hear what you say about ones you've seen produced in the past, which isn't altogether surprising as tartan is not their main speciality. But I'm confident that the process we're putting in place with the weavers will produce the setts we specify, so that's all good from our point of view.