Scottish Skean Dhu

Norman McCormick · 16th October 2016, 08:18 PM

Hi Jim,
Hope you are well these days and still travelling. On the subject of the Black Watch, my mother always called the distinctive Black Watch tartan "A Government Tartan" and always with sarcasm and disdain in her voice. I'm not sure exactly why as on her side of the family we were/are Lowland Scots/Ulster Irish and therefore probably on the side of the Govt., but possibly not always with the expected degree of commitment. Way back the regiment, I believe, was used to implement Govt policy and naturally this would have given rise to a certain dislike and I presume this dislike was passed down the generations.
My Regards,
Norman.

Jim McDougall · 16th October 2016, 10:19 PM

Just got back from Arizona and 4 months on the road as we traded in the old bookmobile for a new one (still not enough room for all these books!).
Will sit tight through winter then off again.
Thank you for the insight on this stuff, always great to share this intriguing history.
My great grandparents were Highlanders as you know, and things I read from them spoke disdainfully as well on 'the govt' .
From all I have found most of the tartans were pretty contrived during the 1850s and the Sobieski's and Highland fad.
Despite the 'shady' beginnings , the 42nd established stellar record and traditions.......proud Scots.

Norman McCormick · 16th October 2016, 11:31 PM

Hi Jim,
Yes the tartan itself seemed to promote a prickly response and I suspect it was also the fact that it wasn't a 'true clan tartan' but contrived for a Govt force. Her own tartan, MacLaine of Lochbuie, is one of the more ancient and traditional tartans of which she was rightly proud. Her ire of course did not extend to the brave lads of the 42nd who were/are a formidable regiment with many of the recruits historically coming from our extended local area.
Regards,
Norman.

16th October 2016, 08:18 PM	#1
Norman McCormick Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 1,644	Hi Jim, Hope you are well these days and still travelling. On the subject of the Black Watch, my mother always called the distinctive Black Watch tartan "A Government Tartan" and always with sarcasm and disdain in her voice. I'm not sure exactly why as on her side of the family we were/are Lowland Scots/Ulster Irish and therefore probably on the side of the Govt., but possibly not always with the expected degree of commitment. Way back the regiment, I believe, was used to implement Govt policy and naturally this would have given rise to a certain dislike and I presume this dislike was passed down the generations. My Regards, Norman.

16th October 2016, 10:19 PM	#2
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,585	Just got back from Arizona and 4 months on the road as we traded in the old bookmobile for a new one (still not enough room for all these books!). Will sit tight through winter then off again. Thank you for the insight on this stuff, always great to share this intriguing history. My great grandparents were Highlanders as you know, and things I read from them spoke disdainfully as well on 'the govt' . From all I have found most of the tartans were pretty contrived during the 1850s and the Sobieski's and Highland fad. Despite the 'shady' beginnings , the 42nd established stellar record and traditions.......proud Scots.

16th October 2016, 11:31 PM	#3
Norman McCormick Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 1,644	Hi Jim, Yes the tartan itself seemed to promote a prickly response and I suspect it was also the fact that it wasn't a 'true clan tartan' but contrived for a Govt force. Her own tartan, MacLaine of Lochbuie, is one of the more ancient and traditional tartans of which she was rightly proud. Her ire of course did not extend to the brave lads of the 42nd who were/are a formidable regiment with many of the recruits historically coming from our extended local area. Regards, Norman.