A better setting for the Murray of Atholl

[creagdhubh]

Good question David, as I would like to know too. I think you are spot on with your colour assessment of the piper's kilt. I love how bold and wide the red stripes are. Perhaps Matthew Newsome will have an idea which mill produced this Murray of Atholl variant.

Cordially,

[creagdhubh]

Beautiful hair sporrans as well, I might add. Several years ago, I commissioned the sporran makers at L&M Highland Outfitters, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, to produce a bespoke sporran molach. The design is based upon a hair sporran worn by Lachlan Macpherson of Strathmashie and Catlodge, also known as Lachlan Mor, since he was Champion of Scotland during the nineteenth-century. This design is very similar to what the pipers and officers wear in the Atholl Highlanders, a style of cantle and 6 tassles, which I am quite fond of.

My version is indeed made of a white horsehair body, 6 short tassles of black horsehair, silver thistle embossed cones, silver thistle embossed cantle trimming with a black patent leather interior, and a silver thistle affixed to the center of the cantle. I plan to have the thistle removed and affix my bespoke silver badge (courtesy of metalsmith, Garth Duncan of Skye) of Na Dionadairean Clann Mhuirich, or "The Guardians of the Clan Macpherson", of which I was personally awarded several years ago by my Chief, Sir William Macpherson of Cluny and Blairgowrie, TD. I would like to have other colour combinations made in the same sporran design and style (grey and black, grey and white, black and white, brown and white, brown and black, etc) at some point in the future.

My Na Dionadairean Clann Mhuirich (The Guardians of the Clan Macpherson) bespoke silver badge.


Lachlan Mor in the Macpherson dress tartan (and Ewan Macpherson) painted by Victorian artist, Kenneth MacLeay, RSA.


Detail of my hair sporran.


Another photo - sorry it's a wee bit grainy.


Slainte,

[M. A. C. Newsome]

Good question David, as I would like to know too. I think you are spot on with your colour assessment of the piper's kilt. I love how bold and wide the red stripes are. Perhaps Matthew Newsome will have an idea which mill produced this Murray of Atholl variant.

Cordially,

I'm honored that you think I would! However, I have no idea. I'd be willing to wager, though, that when the order was put in for the cloth they had a detailed conversation with whatever mill took the order over the specific color shades they desired.

I know Bob Martin told me once that he would sometimes order a tartan in the "ancient" colors from Dalgleish but request that they use a "modern" red for the stripes such as this. He said it had a very pleasing effect. I've been half tempted to try it out on an Armstrong kilt for myself -- like I need another one!

[creagdhubh]

Xman,

Valid point - not completely sure. Unfortunately that partilcuar photo of me, isn't the best in terms of its bluriness - not sure why that happened, as the photo was taken with a digital camera and has only been cropped - no other modification.

[pauljsharp]

Beautiful tartan and smart dress!!! I love their look. Thank you for the photos. Are there any other private regiments that have similar parades done so wonderfully?

[davidlpope]

Beautiful tartan and smart dress!!! I love their look. Thank you for the photos. Are there any other private regiments that have similar parades done so wonderfully?

I believe the Atholl Highlanders are the only private army in the world...

[Jock Scot]

I believe the Atholl Highlanders are the only private army in the world...

I suppose it depends how you define a "private army", but I think the Atholl Highlanders claim to be the only private army in Europe.

We were at the parade on Saturday and as usual they put on a fine show.In fact, it was rather sharp. Sadly the Duke was not there this year and their long serving CO had also died earlier in the week, but I think His Grace is leading his men when they parade for the Queen at the Braemar Games later on in the year.

[JSFMACLJR]

and their long serving CO had also died earlier in the week,.

Sandy Stewart??

[creagdhubh]

I suppose it depends how you define a "private army", but I think the Atholl Highlanders claim to be the only private army in Europe.

We were at the parade on Saturday and as usual they put on a fine show.In fact, it was rather sharp. Sadly the Duke was not there this year and their long serving CO had also died earlier in the week, but I think His Grace is leading his men when they parade for the Queen at the Braemar Games later on in the year.

Quite right Jock, wish I could've been at Blair this year! I especially enjoy the tug o' war competition...amongst other activities scheduled throughout the day!

Slainte,

[Droid]

Being a member of the Clan Murray... I enjoyed seeing those pictures and reading this discussion. My fiance and I plan on taking our honeymoon in the 'home land.' I have always loved the Murray tartan and am proud to wear it.