Big announcement: new full Tartan Library showing all variant colourways

[Nick Fiddes]

Two things I noticed in my brief perview:

First, some of the "photorealistic images" are actually the original real photos from Dalgleish's old stock photo list (check out Black Douglas Modern), with creases and all intact.

Second, Forrester clan technically also does not have a Modern (or reproduction) version as, according to original clan documents, it is registered and woven only in ancient colors, despite what my screen name might imply (early kilt ignorance and naivety and no desire to change my screen name thereafter). It is often mislabeled as Forrester Modern in many tartan lists, even in Strathmore's website list (they are the only stock weaver of the original clan tartan and the Forrester Hunting as well, which actually IS in modern colors):

http://www.strathmorewoollen.co.uk/t...d=16&Itemid=35

Yes, we're still working out the best way to show images where a stock photograph also exists. Meanwhile it's defaulting to the stock version. I'd hope we will be able to show both in due course.

As for the Forrester point, that's doubtless the case. I'd simply point out that this would also have been true decades ago when all the weaving mills began to produce parallel Modern/Ancient/etc variants of any other historical tartan, most of which would only until then ever have been traditionally produced in one main style. This doubtless offended many traditionalists at the time, but now has come to be seen as an attractive and legitimate broadening of choice depending on individual preference. This doesn't in any way detract from anyone's ability to wear the traditional version.

One of the things that I myself love about Scottish cultural traditions (which is not always so for other 'ethnic costume') is that it's a living, breathing, dynamic tradition that continues to move with the times. I love that going out to a Ceilidh on a Friday night is still something that young people do for the fun of it, and don't no one cares too much about who is wearing what, or if the steps are done quite right. That makes it a living tradition, not a dead one. And likewise with kilts and tartans, few of us here (some perhaps?) would want to insist that the only valid way to wear the kilt is as a roughly tied blanket in coarse cloth. So similarly with tartan colours, why insist that the exact way it was done in the mists of time is the only way that's allowed?

My friends, we have many more plans to innovate in the years to come. I hope more of you will love what we do, than not!

[creagdhubh]

Well done to all those concerned in the creation of the tartan library at D C Dalgleish. As kyle said earlier, I think I'll be on it most of the day too. Thankyou to all

I'm still on it! Ha-ha!

Cheers,

[creagdhubh]

My friends, we have many more plans to innovate in the years to come. I hope more of you will love what we do, than not!

But of course, Nick! Thank you for all that you do!

Cheers mate,

[ForresterModern]

One I noticed that was missing is Douglas Brown (STWR 2523), a modern color version of a Douglas tartan variation listed in Bishop and McBain’s tartan book with colors similar to the weathered Douglas but modern and far more vivid. See my review of a kilt in said tartan here:

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...e-co-uk-64684/

I am not sure this particular variant shows up in either the STR or STA registries, however.

[ctbuchanan]

Re: Buchanan tartans - Thanks - I figured it was some simple oversight. But I very much like what you are doing and appreciate the effort it must take to get this set up.

[SlackerDrummer]

Nice effort. I have to point out, though, that the colors are wrong for the Carolina (States of) tartan. [sigh]

Then would you care to contact us to with details of what you believe the correct colours should be? It's easily fixed if it's wrong. Our source data mostly derives from the Scottish Tartans Authority, before its recording function was made redundant by the official Scottish Register of Tartans. So major errors usually derive from there. We're keen to correct wherever we can.

Thanks, Nick. I have sent an email to the address on the Dalgliesh website contact page with correct colors and a link to more information about the tartan.

[Nick Fiddes]

Better?

http://dcdalgliesh.co.uk/tartan_found.rpy?id=449012

[creagdhubh]

Better?

http://dcdalgliesh.co.uk/tartan_found.rpy?id=449012

Looks great...well done, and done fast! I think Kenneth will be pleased.

Cheers Nick,

[Dale-of-Cedars]

Maybe it's just my eyes and monitor, but looking at the "Crawford Red" http://www.dcdalgliesh.co.uk/tartan_found.rpy?id=450668 I'm having a hard time discerning the Green (Green10 Yarn) from Black. Even viewing the image at it's largest resolution, examining where the 'green' lines cross, it seems like alternating black and very dark grey... just wondering; maybe that's just the way Green10 is going to appear.

[Nick Fiddes]

Computers are notoriously fickle with colours, as different monitors, operating systems, and browsers can handle them very differently - and that's before you get into issues like monitor calibration (which most people never bother with) and lighting conditions. On my own monitor here at home it does display as a dark green (and the yarn is indeed a dark green) and the monitors in the office we used to sample & define the colours were calibrated as carefully as we could. But I suspect this may be difficult to resolve perfectly. The only real answer is for anyone considering commissioning a piece to request yarn samples in advance if they are concerned about exact shades, just as we'd recommend ordering a swatch for an off-the-shelf fabric.