Identifying tartans

[Four Cofffee]

I know, a bit left field, but my mother in law (in her 70's) has a set of children's formal scottish dress from the early part of the 20th century, the kilt of which was made from the kilt of her grandfather during his time in the British army in India. She is hoping to identify it to decide whether to pass it on in the family or, if it is a more suitable, offering it to the regiment in whatever form they now exist.

Does anyone know how to go about identifying n old tartan?

I have tried the various web sites but they all seem to be about selling kilts to Amercians, and selling them modern tartans mde up in the last 30 years.

[AMacA]

I was going to suggest taking it to a Kiltmaker, then saw that you are in Yorkshire! I don't suppose they are in great demand in that bit of the country.

Perhaps taking a photo of it and sending it to a Kiltmaker, one I can recommend is Houston Kiltmakers (they are on Google). The mananger in there is really good and the chairman of a tartan authority or something similar - only know this as he was keen to tell me when I bought my kilt last year.

ETA - Just re-read the bit about regiments - it isn't the Blackwatch is it?

Edited by AMacA on Wednesday 10th February 16:11

[Four Cofffee]

AMacA said:

I was going to suggest taking it to a Kiltmaker, then saw that you are in Yorkshire! I don't suppose they are in great demand in that bit of the country.

Perhaps taking a photo of it and sending it to a Kiltmaker, one I can recommend is Houston Kiltmakers (they are on Google). The mananger in there is really good and the chairman of a tartan authority or something similar - only know this as he was keen to tell me when I bought my kilt last year.

ETA - Just re-read the bit about regiments - it isn't the Blackwatch is it?

Edited by AMacA on Wednesday 10th February 16:11

I can't see your picture but I don't think it is, although my MiL always thought it was.

[Leithen]

It is most likely a Regimental Tartan - so your best bet is to try and find out which regiment the Grandfather served in in India.

Alternatively narrow down which Scottish Regiments were in India during the 19th Century and then try and match the Tartan. A quick google search throws up this page listing a few possibilities and the corresponding Tartan;

Bombay Volunteer Rifles ( India) ............................................Stewart Hunting

Calcutta Scottish (India) .........................................................Stewart Hunting

Rajput Regiment,(NW India) ..................................................Rajput Tartan

There are at least three varieties of Stewart Hunting. And bear in mind that the military 19th Century version might have been different too.

The Rajput Tartan is distinctively different.

[Leithen]

A couple more links listing Scottish Regiments;

Regimental Tartans

Scottish Military - Highland Regiments

The best thing would be for you to take a picture of the Tartan - post it here or PM me and I'll happily put it in front of a couple of ex Scottish Army officers who are still involved in the regimental world.

[Odie]

Do you know where he was born and lived?