Laird/Tweedside tartans?

[RobertParker]

I was thinking and recalled that my wife said she had someone in her family tree named Laird back there somewhere. I know that term/name was more of a social position or rank, as opposed to a specific name or occupation. When I search the Tartan authority website, it came up with a couple of tartans called "Tweedside" (I think that's how it was spelled). What's that mean exactly? Is that a district? What's is relation to Laird? I know there was another Laird designed by someone in Louisiana, but this one is different. Anyway, just curious.

[Jock Scot]

I am not familiar with the precise position of Tweedside,but it is a very Scottish way of describing an area that may contain parts of a couple of counties and many parishes.In other words and in this case, it is a general description of an area alongside the river Tweed.Hartside and Lochyside are two others that spring to mind.

There are many people with the name Laird in Scotland.

[RobertParker]

I figured it was something like that. It's a nice looking tartan. Unfortunately, it currently looks like one can only get the red/black one in 10 oz. Well, at some point .....

[Jock Scot]

Another thought!Tweedside may just be a tartan that a weaver did not have a name for, so that is what he came up with.Maybe some one designed a tartan with that name in mind,I know not.Tweedside may not actually exist as a place.I certainly could not take you there without enquiring for its whereabouts!

[macwilkin]

Information:

http://www.district-tartans.com/tweedside.htm

According to the STA, the Tweedside (Red) tartan originates from 1840 the tartan firm of Wilson's of Bannockburn. Most likely this tartan was a fashion tartan which was given the name "Tweedside" as a way to indentify it, as was per the custom -- see Matt Newsome's articles on his web site albanach.org for more detailed information.

The Tweedside Hunting tartan was designed in the 1960s by D.C.Dalgliesh, a variant of Tweedside Red.

so Jock Scott's theory is pretty much right on the money.

And you might speak to Matt, Barb T. or Kathy Lare about a special weave of the Hunting tartan.

Regards,

Todd

[M. A. C. Newsome]

The Hunting Tweedside is stocked by House of Edgar in a 13 oz range. The original red & black Tweedside (which I think is a very attractive tartan) is only stocked as far as I know by Lochcarron in a 10 oz weight. I am currently waiting on delivery of a small length of the original Tweedside in 16 oz that I ordered for a box pleated kilt for a client, though. So special orders in heavier weights are, indeed, possible.

Aye,
Matt

[andyfg]

Tweedside is a district on the present Scottish-English border in the county of Northumberland. (As in Berwick-on-Tweed, the River Tweed). Whether Wilson's designed the tartan for folk who lived in the district or as a "fashion tartan" (weren't they all fashion tartans then?) I leave to the experts.

[Riverkilt]

Hmmm, my father was stationed at Berwick-on-Tweed while in the RAF in 1942. Small world...a tartan eh?....hmmmm

Ron