Cameron Erracht Modern

Originally a military tartan. Alan Cameron of Erracht raised the Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders in 1793 and this tartan was designed for them. There is a sample in the Cockburn Collection (1810-1820) in the Mitchell Library in Glasgow. The tartan was never adopted by the clan. Woven sample also in Clans Originaux (1880). Sample in STA's Scarlett Collection. Note from history site "The Cameron Highlanders are the only clan-raised unit with their own tartan, which is not based on the government tartan. The tartan worn by the regiment is the Cameron of Erracht. Alan Cameron's mother is believed to have devised this particular tartan. The following is from THE SCOTTISH REGIMENTS, 2nd edition, by Dr. Diana Henderson. HarperCollins Publishers, 1996:- "The 79th (Cameron of Erracht) Tartan was unique among Scottish Regiments owing to the fact that it was not derived from the 42nd Government (Black Watch) Tartan. It was created by taking the Macdonald sett, omitting three red lines, and imposing the yellow line of clan Cameron. Tartan flashes used as badge backings and sleeve flashes were typically taken from the intersection of the yellow lines. "The 79th tartan was a source of jealously guarded pride to the Cameron Highlanders. In 1881, when the linking of battalions was taking place, the War Office considered linking the 42nd Royal Highlanders with the 79th Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders. The problem was that both regiments would have to wear the same tartan and obviously the 42nd had precedence. The Camerons were asked by telegram, 'Will your regiment adopt tartan of the 42nd Regiment?' Risking disbandment or amalgamation, the curt reply in the negative left the War Office in no doubt that no one interferes with the 79th tartan."