Jacobite Modern

STS notes: Taken from the manuscript of William & Andrew Smith's 'Authenticated Tartans of the Clans and Families of Scotland'. The Smith's sources included the findings of George Hunter, an army clothier who toured the Highlands in search of old tartans prior to 1822. The Jacobite tartan has been known since the Union of 1707 and was worn by participants in the Jacobite Rebellion of 1715 and is associated with the Scots national identity. It is often worn by those with no clan connections as an alternative to a district tartan. Smith of Mauchline tells us that this pattern was taken from a scarf made in 1712 and James Grant wrote "Doutbless it was adopted and worn as a symbol to others of secret political opinions . . ." DC Stewart adds: "It seems very odd that so striking a design should have been used for such a purpose, but the Jacobites were never notable for discretion . . . the story of its early associations might well be insufficient to overcome a forgivable diffidence in the prospective wearer of this as a kilt tartan." Sample in STA Dalgety Collection.