Weathered tartan question

[Bigbadbob]

When were the weathered tartans first produced?

[figheadair]

Weathered Colours originated with (I think) Lochcarron in the late 60s or early 70s as a response to Dalgliesh's Reproduction Colours. The 'story' behind the latter's origins is extremely dubious and lacks evidence.

[creagdhubh]

The 'story' behind the latter's origins is extremely dubious and lacks evidence.

I've always thought that too, Peter. I wonder why they (Dalgliesh) have this statement on their website? It's obviously not entirely true, and like you put it, "extremely dubious and lacks evidence." Nonetheless, I fully support D.C. Dalgliesh and absolutely love their method of weaving tartan. My most beautiful kilt is done up in the Macpherson Reproduction Colours.



Cheers,

[English Bloke]

Myth or not, there is a certain something about weathered/reproduction colours. They certainly add something to the original sett and I'm not surprised at their popularity.

[Grizzly]

Couldn't agree more John, from the moment I saw my clan tartan lochcarrons's weathered colours, I knew exactly what my tank would be.

[creagdhubh]

Myth or not, there is a certain something about weathered/reproduction colours. They certainly add something to the original sett and I'm not surprised at their popularity.

Precisely, John! And I do like Lochcarron's weathered range (Strome) as well, Simon. I'm thinking my next 8-yarder will be in the Macpherson Weathered colour scheme.



Cheers,

[TheOfficialBren]

The 'story' behind the latter's origins is extremely dubious and lacks evidence.

Pardon the pun but a yarn has been spun.

[M. A. C. Newsome]

I really consider the weathered and reproduction color schemes to be one and the same. The term "weathered" is more common because of the Dalgliesh trademark of the term "reproduction."

The information about the reproduction tartans on Dalgliesh's web site is an interesting mix of fact and fancy.
http://www.dcdalgliesh.co.uk/reproduction.rpy

The claim is made that these tartans "are authentic in colour and design to those worn in 1745 and before." Um, no. The colors in no way represent the colors tartan was woven in pre-1745, and most all of the designs they produce in this range we know are well post-1745.

The story told about the specimen of MacDonald tartan found in 1946 may well be true, keeping in mind that the association to the Battle of Culloden is pure conjecture. I see no reason to doubt, however, that an old tartan, buried in the earth for almost 200 years and so consequently stained and faded, served as the inspiration for the reproduction color scheme.

We certainly know more about the origin of reproduction colors than we do about the ancient, at any rate.

[figheadair]

This subject has been discussed previously and whilst I agree that there may have been an old piece that Dalgliesh used as a basis we don't know how old or importantly, where it was found and in what circumstances. Many years ago the rumour in the trade was that the said original was found in a damp cellar in Inverness. Bottom line is that the 'artefact' was never seen by anyone else, nor photographed. Oh and the Clan Donald sett cannot be dated before about 1790.

[TheOfficialBren]

I'm no expert on the subject but "Reproduction" by Dalgliesh gives me the impression, as Matt said, that it is their branding designation for the "weathered" colour pallate. Noting more, nothing less.

As to the story, I, too, have heard both a cellar and the outdoors. From an archaeological syandpoint, though, neither a damp cellar nor a damp field in Scotland would preserve textiles very well (unlikely that long), I wouldn't think. Also, Figheadair is very much an expert on all things tartan so I have no comment on the date of the tartan. His knowledge trumps whatever contribution I would make so I won't bother.

I love this colour pallate, though.