Thoughts on Dalrymple

[Benning Boy]

I'm set to place an order with Marton Mills of a short run of Dalrymple of Castelton #2. Being Dalrymple on my mother's side, I claim the "right" to it.

The sett is based on a 1720 portrait of Sir Robert Dalrymple. I'm not sure how I'm related to him. The Dalrymples are generally said to be a familty not a clan, and lowlanders to boot. However, if you look at a clan map of Scotland you'll see a few recognized clans surrounding Dalrymple home territory in Ayrshire. There are tartans associated with these clans, like Wallace. The Dalrymples of old may or may not have worn the kilt, but through the portrait there is evidence some of the family at least wore tartan. As today the kilt is generally recognized as the native attire of all of Scotland, and not just the Highlands, above some imaginary line on a map, I think it acceptable to have made and to wear a kilt of Dalrymple tartan



Here are two examples of the sett provided by MM's designer. One in muted colors



and the other in modern colors.



I had to greatly shrink and degrade the images to get them to upload, so the quality, to my eye, isn't the best. The colors aren't accurately reproduced here from the MM designer's CADs, but maybe you'll get the idea. The green in the muted version should be more of a mossey green. The colors in the modern attachement are closer to what was mailed me.

I asked for the muted version colors to be what one might have had from Wilson's. The modern colors are what would normally result from the use of chemical dyes.

Now, to choose between the two and place an order. What are your thoughts on the options?

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[Dale-of-Cedars]

The Muted definitely looks closer to the colours in the portrait, but the brighter Modern wouldn't be bad in a kilt IMO.

(I have an affection for the deeper reds and greens for some reason :-)

[Catharps]

Can you tell me the correct way to pronounce Dalrymple? Who knows when I might ever meet one

I like the muted color and think it would make a fine kilt- you must show us some pictures when it comes in!

I agree with Dale-of-Cedars- the modern colors are very nice, almost exciting!

[Dughlas mor]

That is a very nice tartan and you couldn`t go wrong either way. I think I would choose the modern, definitely an attention getter.

[figheadair]

The Muted ones for me every time.

The Muted definitely looks closer to the colours in the portrait,

Whilst that is true, one always needs to bear in mind that paint, especially 300 year old paint, do not necessarily reflect the actual shade of yarn dyes and a portrait can only every be a guide for the generic colours.

Can you tell me the correct way to pronounce Dalrymple? Who knows when I might ever meet one

You won't go to far wrong with Dal-rim-pill with the sounds run together - Dalrimpil.

[Tarheel]

I seem to get bogged down on the colors of "original" art pigments and natural dyes of yore. The chemistry degrades and mutes over time. Cuddle fish black ink turns to sepia, iron oxide black turns to red for examples. I think the Modern would be the better option here, as a possible match for the original. We are comparing the fabric of an important person that wanted to be recognized for his public image. "Pop and pizazz" might be in order.

With your military bearing Benning, you could pull off the "Regal" of the Modern tartan.

[davidlpope]

The Muted ones for me every time.



Whilst that is true, one always needs to bear in mind that paint, especially 300 year old paint, do not necessarily reflect the actual shade of yarn dyes and a portrait can only every be a guide for the generic colours.



You won't go to far wrong with Dal-rim-pill with the sounds run together - Dalrimpil.

Peter,

Which syllable is accented?

DALrimpil?

DalRIMpil?

[figheadair]

Peter,

Which syllable is accented?

DALrimpil?

DalRIMpil?

The second one has it by a nose.

[Mike_Oettle]

The two samples are unfortunate, since the Muted has the yellow looking rather drab, but in the Modern the red and green are rather subdued. Neither really has the vividness of the painting – a familiar sight to me because Christian Hesketh used it to illustrate her book on tartans.
I would be interested to see how it comes out in the end.
Regards,
Mike

[cessna152towser]

Here's an example of a kilt in Dalrymple Modern, as worn by a tour guide at Fort Augustus.
Some may consider it rather bright and might prefer the muted, but its a matter of personal opinion.