what is this??

[PEEDYC]

With a fringe at both ends I thought it could be a ladies shawl but then 27" is not really wide enough so I concur - a plaid.

[KiltedMariner]

Greetings,

Thanks to all for your sleuthing prowess. Let's say it is a piper's plaid, MacKenzie tartan. Since there may or may not be pipers or soldiers (and/or MacKenzies!) in my lineage, WHY does my family have this? What purpose would it have served 100 years ago? AND....what can I do with it now??

Thank you,
Richard

[Pleater]

Wear it as a plaid?

I find them very handy in bad weather.

They keep the pleats under control in high winds.

Anne the Pleater :ootd:

[madmacs]

Greetings,

Thanks to all for your sleuthing prowess. Let's say it is a piper's plaid, MacKenzie tartan. Since there may or may not be pipers or soldiers (and/or MacKenzies!) in my lineage, WHY does my family have this? What purpose would it have served 100 years ago? AND....what can I do with it now??

Thank you,
Richard

why do they have it? someone was an officer so it was bought by them not the army and they didnt give it to the mess as a gift? or some squadie filched it? or someone bought it in the 50's as army surplus thinking they could make a kilt from it (would that explain the triple fringe you mentioned)? 100's of potential reasons...

would likely have served as a plaid originally... of course we are all assuming you know that a pipers plaid is that bit wrapped round his upper chest... 75-100 years ago would have been ww1 - ww2 the canadian seaforth highlanders were raised in 1910 I believe, so if it's that old and in/from the BC area it might be of historical significance (that doesnt mean it's worth much though...lol)

It might be worth posting a pic of the complete piece...

[KiltedMariner]

Greetings,

Thanks for the input.

I am going to digitize and post a picture my mum has of a group of men, including my great-grandfather (born 1862) wearing what looks like the MacKenzie plaid. They are all wearing non-matching, fancy highland dress, crossed belts, plaids, and the central figure (feather in bonnet) has the same kilt and plaid as the one I now have. They are standing and seated and there is a trophy. Others in the photo are wearing the same MacKenzie tartan as the plaid but with different kilt tartan. I suspect it was once more customary to mix tartans(?).

So, these days can I take a page from my great-grandfather's fashion playbook and wear this plaid with my Bruce tartan kilt or am I just ASKING for a ticket from the tartan police? ith:

Thank you,
Richard