origin of Cameron of Erracht?

[OC Richard]

I had always read, and believed, that Cameron Of Erracht was devised in 1793 upon the raising of The Cameron Highlanders.

So just now I was surprised to read the following, in a Pipe Band's website:

We are proud to wear the Cameron of Erracht tartan.

This is both an ancient clan tartan and is also truly a pipe band tartan, used by distinguished Highland regiments in Scotland and in Canada today.

It originates with Ewen Cameron, who became the first Cameron of Erracht in the early 16th century.

Now I had understood that there's little evidence as to the design process which took place in 1793, but I'd not read that it was a pre-existing clan tartan, and not read that it can be dated to the early 16th century. Does it appear in an early portrait? Is there an early specimen of the tartan itself?

[IsaacW]

News to me???

This is better...

http://www.scottishtartans.co.uk/The...acht_Cloth.pdf



Isaac

[figheadair]

A case of romantic wishful thinking and a good example of tartan myth devoid of any historical fact. I stick by the conclusions in my paper so kindly referenced by IssacW.

[Dileasgubas]

This tartan is still worn in Canada by the Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa so it was not entirely retired when the Royal Regiment of Scotland was formed.

[OC Richard]

Thanks all, and especially Peter for his usual erudite examination of the topic.

BTW Cameron of Erracht did not go out of use when the Royal Regiment of Scotland was formed, but survived, as it had survived twice before, as the tartan worn by the Pipes & Drums.

When the Cameron Highlanders and Seaforth Highlanders were amalgamated to form The Queens Own Highlanders (c1960) the regiment was put in MacKenzie Seaforth but the Pipes & Drums were put in Cameron of Erracht.

And Cameron of Erracht survived the creation of The Highlanders in 1994.

I saw the Pipes & Drums of 4SCOTS still in their old kit, but are they now in generic kit? I would certainly hope, if all Battalions' pipers are to be put into generic kit, that the tartan would be Royal Stewart, the tartan of most of the parent battalions' pipers (of the RRS as a whole).

Here they are, in 2010, wearing the RRS cap badge but still in Cameron of Erracht tartan



Here it's still being worn by the Pipes & Drums in 2014. Quite impressive, excellent playing by the Pipes & Drums and wonderful to see the precise marching and the clack of all those hobnails!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q5dTsgPbDys

[RichardM]

Interesting my I was looking for a Cameron tartan loved the history. Now which would be best to buy. I do like the one that the pipers are wearing.

[OC Richard]

It is a beautiful tartan! Long one of my favourites.

Note that the Pipe Major's kilt is made of different fabric than the rest of the pipers. The Pipe Major's kilt is made of fine tartan with vivid clear colours while the pipers' kilts are made of the very heavy MOD tartan that has a slightly fuzzy blanketlike surface, and duller colours.

These kilts are all boxpleated to the yellow line.

Here's a closeup of the pleats

[Dutypiper]

her one of my full Dress, it is also one of my favorite Tartan,

[Jack Daw]

I have a Cameron of Erracht tartan kilt in military weight. It's a handsome tartan.

[IsaacW]

I love my CoE kilt... Ex military that I re-tailored to fit lower like a civilian kilt. Heavy and beautiful!