16th Century Robertson Red

The Vestiarium Scoticum was published in 1842 by the 'Sobieski Stuart' brothers who claimed to have discovered an ancient manuscript detailing tartans from the 16th century. Errors in the use of language and wide discrepancies in the setts of well established tartans have caused historians to doubt its authenticity. It is, however, a wonderful and imaginative work on a grand scale, and many tartans in use today originated there. Not so the Robertson which is well documented in collections from the period

The source of tartan 841 was: Vestiarium Scoticum

Robertson of Kindeace

Also known as the 'Hunting Robertson'. The sett is reputedly ancient, and resembles the 'Athol Murray', though used by only by the Robertsons of the North. The Cockburn Collection is housed in the Mitchell Library in Glasgow. It contains some of the oldest preserved specimens of tartan which were collected between 1810 and 1815. The Robertsons claim descent from 'Donnachaidh Reamhair' who led the clan at the battle of Bannockburn. The Clan Donnachaidh museum is at Blair Atholl.

The source of tartan 299 was: Cockburn Collection

Robertson Dress Hunting

One of the 'Dress' and 'Hunting' versions of clan tartans introduced for the first time in 1906 by H. Whyte's and others, 'The Tartans of the Clans and Septs of Scotland' published by W & A. K. Johnston, Edinburgh. The book contains over 200 tartans and is the fore-runner of Johnston's annual pocket editions.

The source of tartan 336 was: W & A K Johnston

Robertson of Struan (This may only be worn by the Chief or with His Permission)

This sample comes from the MacGregor-Hastie collection which forms the basis of the cloth archive of the Scottish Tartans Society. Some of the samples, including this one, were unmarked. One can assume that the sample dates between 1930 and 1950.

The source of tartan 530 was: MacGregor-Hastie Collection

Robertson of Struan (This may only be worn by the Chief or with His Permission)

In 1815, members of the Highland Society of London resolved to request of each of the Highland chiefs, a sample of their clan tartan. The swatches were to be signed and sealed in the chief's own hand. This sett is one of those delivered to the Society between 1815 and 1822.

The source of tartan 887 was: Highland Society of London.

Modern Robertson

The oldest records show Robertson tartan with a white line. But the modern weavers sett, without the white, can be traced to Logan's book 'The Scottish Gael' published in 1831. D.C.Stewart noted a subtle difference in Logan's count which is reproduced here. That is the use of contrasting narrow stripes next to the broader stripe. Other versions have only blue, narrow stripes. Stewart reckoned that it added 'balance in the design'. Mid toned blues and greens are used in this illustration.

The source of tartan 1391 was: Logan

Duncan (or Leslie of Wardis)

Duncans and Robertsons share a common ancestor, one of the ancient Earls of Atholl, 'Fat Duncan', who led the clan at the Battle of Bannockburn. This sett is also known as Leslie of Wardis.

The source of tartan 1112 was: W & A K Johnston

Robertson Modern Hunting

This sample comes from the MacGregor-Hastie collection which forms the basis of the cloth archive of the Scottish Tartans Society. Some of the samples, including this one, were unmarked. One can assume that the sample dates between 1930 and 1950.

The source of tartan 334 was: MacGregor-Hastie Collection

Reid Family Tartan - Modern

This sample is the only known or recognised Reid tartan.  It’s origins are largely unknown, but it is beleived that the Reid Robertsons - also the Barons of Straloch - did not wear this tartan.

The source of tartan 2066 was: Philip D. Smith, F.S.T.S