House of Tartan Picture Blog

The Burns Bunnet design was created by John Burleigh at the end of 2008. The name obviously was inspired by Rabbie Burns and particularly because 2009 is a celebration of his 250th anniversary and, indeed, because of the Scotland Homecoming year. John started out making one or two for fun to be worn at weddings and other occasions but when people started asking about them he realised there was a market for them. It is distinctive from other tammies and bonnets in that the Burns Bunnet can be used for dress occasions and is of high quality.

Watch out for this item on our web site priced around £40

In your excellent history of tartan, you neglect THE earliest known European tartan ever found: the Taklimakan Desert mummies found in the 1990s. They date to 5,000 years ago and the tall male, clearly a chieftain, wore a plaid cloak. The other mummies also showed tartan cloth. To describe it best, in layman's terms, it appears to have a reddish-brown background, a thin blue windowpane all equal, and a very thin white or gray sett.

Archbishop Antonio Hernandez

 

 

I promised you a picture of me in my BEAUTIFUL NEW KILT, so here it is.  I showed it off by wearing it all last weekend during our annual county fair and I got a lot of wonderful comments on it.  Since this was not a Scottish gathering, I was the only person present in highland attire, and everyone really enjoyed it.  The lady in the middle is a descendant of a Confederate soldier from our Civil War in the 1860s and she is a member of the United Daughters of the Confederacy.  She's wearing an authentic replica of an 1860s period dress.  The guy on the right has several ancestors that fought for the South during the Civil War and he is the Commander of the local "Sons of Confederate Veterans" branch.  His garb is not fully authentic, though, as you may notice he is wearing blue jeans under his frock.  Still, I think we made a striking trio.

Thank you for outfitting me in a good looking, well fitting kilt.   Now I can show off my heritage with pride!

Donald Trausneck

In spite of record breaking heat, Clan Wardlaw was represented at the Greater Greenville Highland Games today 7th June 2008 and the parade yesterday.  I will leave the details to Foster, but I knew you would enjoy seeing of photos our booth

The games this weekend were a good start.  We learned a lot and met so many wonderful people. Looking forward to Grandfather Mtn. in July!- Julie.

These three versions have the approval of Sir Thomas Innes of Learney, one time Lord Lyon King of Arms. They also appear in Frank Adams book, "The Clans Septs and Regiments of the Scottish Highlands", and in "Tartans and Highland Dress" by MacKinnon of Dunakin.

1. The sash is worn over the right shoulder, across the breast and secured by a brooch on the right shoulder. This style is worn by clanswomen, women of the clan surname and septs by birth or marriage.
2. The sash is worn over the left shoulder, across the right breast and secured with a brooch on the left shoulder. This style is worn by Lady Chiefs, chieftainesses, the wives of clan chiefs and chieftains, and the wives of colonels of Highland regiments.
3. The sash is worn over the right shoulder and tied in a bow, or secured with a pin, at the waist on the left. This style is worn by ladies who have married out of their clan but who still wish to use their original clan tartan.

A visit from Eric Ferguson from the Netherlands prompted me to dig out some information about wearing ladies sashes. Eric is a keen "Scottish Country Dancer" and the story goes like this, "members of the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society have been granted permission by Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, to wear their sashes on the left shoulder.  This is an honour bestowed upon the Society because she is Patron". (Electric Scotland)

Tartan Accessories