Curiosity... Shepherd Tartan?

[d_lairson]

Just out of curiosity, as my mom is a Shepherd, from Leeds... I found online that the "Clan Shepherd" of Scotland has a tartan that is just a black and white check... Is this right?

The source of this info is from some canadian company that sells family history's and crests and the like, so I'm not sure as to its authenticity.

If it's true, that has got to be one of the most boring tartans ever, one that is sure to get you pegged as a goth...

[Lallans]

I think you must be looking at the traditional tartan of the Border areas, Scotland and England both, supposedly the only one that used to be tolerated by lowland Scots and Border English in the fighting days. In those days (and I believer still) in some circles it is more commonly called the Border Check or the Shepherd's Check, specific to the occupation and not any such family... perhaps the company you refer to is either making a little joke or is kinda on the incompetent side? But, Shepherd is a perfectly valid English Border name and if one is descended from a shepherd that tended flocks in or around the Border marches, the tartan could in fact be quite authentic to your Mom's family (and yours). The design is sometimes said to be the oldest tartan, and perhaps (I don't want to start a fight) the only truly authentic one that lasted to Sir Walter Scott's day. In fact I believe it was a favorite of his, he of course being a (whisper it) Lowlander. Musing aloud: It seems to me I saw the shepherd's tartan featured on the Albanach guy's website in the last while, did I not?

[English Bloke]

I tell you what! It makes a spectacular kilt.

[Lallans]

I do agree John (English Bloke) it has considerable beauty, plus the luster of antiquity!

[Tattoo Bradley]

The Shepherd tartan is indeed a black and white check pattern.

I have to strongly disagree that it is "boring." In fact I really really like it.

The Burns Check is based off of that tartan, and I absolutely love my kilt in that tartan.

Also of note, the tartan in question is also the Northumberland district tartan

[cessna152towser]

Shepherd's Tartan, also known as the Northumberland tartan or the Falkirk tartan, surely you agree this gent looks good in it.

[cessna152towser]

deleted double post

[Tobus]

Just out of curiosity, as my mom is a Shepherd, from Leeds... I found online that the "Clan Shepherd" of Scotland has a tartan that is just a black and white check... Is this right?

The source of this info is from some canadian company that sells family history's and crests and the like, so I'm not sure as to its authenticity.

Well, it is a registered tartan per the Scottish Tartan Authority anyway. The number is WR2444.

There's also WR1253, described as follows:

The Falkirk Tartan. An ornamental twill weave check of natural light and dark wool was discovered at Falkirk in the neck of a jar containing Roman coins. The find is thought to have been buried about 260 A.D. The black and white check is woven today as the Shepherd tartan.
The source of tartan 1253 was: Royal Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh

Dunno if that would lend any historical credence to it being tied to the family name Shepherd, but it's certainly a historic tartan.

My favorite flannel shirt is black and white checked!

[d_lairson]

After looking at that picture, it does indeed look very nice! The sample on the website showed was majority black with little bits of white. The actual one listed on the Scottish Tartans Authority website is much better.

[Ozark Ridge Rider]

It is indeed a striking tartan, and one that is used in several ways. Some of the black and white Scott tartans are very close to it, and I believe Clan Little combined it with the Wallace to use for their clan tartan.