HIGHLAND_DRESS

Scottish Tartans Bookstore

We stock many Scottish titles in our gift shop dealing with the history, culture, literature, song, food, and migration of the Scottish people.  While it is impossible for us to keep our web site up to date with our ever-changing inventory of books, please feel free to email us if you are looking for a particular title or subject.  We will be glad to do a book search for you!  As our specialty is Highland Dress, please find below a list of recommended books and CD-ROMs dealing with the history of tartan and the kilt.  We keep these titles in stock to the best of our ability.

 

Matthew Newsome's Patented Advice For First Time Kilt Wearers

by Matthew A. C. Newsome

Thinking of getting a kilt?  Allow kilt expert Matthew Newsome to guide you through the ins and outs of purchasing and wearing your first kilt.  Newsome has years of experience not only selling kilts, but also wearing kilts, of all different styles, on a nearly daily basis.  He'll help you select your tartan, determine the best kilt weight, and what style of kilt you want to invest in.  He'll also tell you what to avoid.  You'll also find good, common sense information on just what to wear (and what not to wear) with your kilt.  Before you invest in a kilt, invest in this book!

Available in Paperback for $8.95

 

 

 

 

Early Highland Dress by Matthew A. C. Newsome

"When one begins to research the history of Highland dress, it quickly becomes apparent that prior to the seventeenth century reliable information becomes hard to find, if available at all.  Books may have a few introductory paragraphs dealing with this early period, but whole chapters detailing the characteristic tartans and plaids of seventeenth and eighteenth century Scotland.  To be fair, the historic record is not nearly as complete for this earlier period as it is for later centuries. . . Here, in this little volume, I hope to share the fruits of that research, dispel some myths, and with any luck inspire the reader to further investigation. . ."  Matthew Newsome, curator of the Scottish Tartans Museum

Newsome's research is here presented in both text and illustration, in chapters titled: The Leine, A Leine Pattern, The Early History of the Kilt, How to Wear the Belted Plaid, the Arisaide, Pre-Culloden Tartans, Gaelic Footwear, and The Sporran.  There is an extensive bibliography referring the reader to additional sources for information on this most elusive of topics.

Spiral Bound Paperback for $15.95 --New low price!

Now available on CD-ROM (Adobe software included) for $12.95

 

All About Your Kilt by Bob Martin

A history of the kilt and advice for modern kilt wearers from Bob Martin, FSTS, kilt maker and kilt historian extraordinaire!

Available in spiral bound paperback for $19.95

Now available on CD-ROM (Adobe software included) for $12.95

(CD-ROM version has all color illustrations)

 

 

 

 

Old Irish & Highland Dress by H. F. McClintock

Originally published 1943.  This classic and elusive work provides a detailed study of the dress of the Highlanders and the Irish in ancient times, with illustrations drawn from archival sources.  It provides a wealth of information on the dress of these two closely related Celtic lands.  Many of the illustrations are unique and are invaluable in understanding the development of men's and women's dress in the period from earliest times through the eighteenth century. There is a chapter on the dress of the Isle of Man as well.

Available on CD-ROM only (Adobe software included) for $12.95

 

 

 

The Compendium of District Tartans by Matthew A. C. Newsome and James A. Bullman

This is the largest single collection of district tartans – those tartans that represent places rather than clans or families. This collection includes tartans officially adopted by the district as well as “unofficial” district tartans and some archaeological tartans suggested for district use, with distinction made between each. Thread counts and color illustrations are given for hundreds of district tartans from Scotland, Ireland, and the rest of the British Isles, places in Europe, Canada, the United States, Australia and New Zealand, and beyond. No collection is complete without this landmark reference! The Compendium of District Tartans not only includes color photographs, history, and thread counts of about 450 different tartans, but also information on Scottish Estate Tweeds, recommended tartans for people of various nationalities, recommended district tartans for use by Scottish clans, and a listing of over 5000 Scottish surnames and their recommended district tartan (based on name origin).  470 pages.

Available on CD-ROM only (Adobe software included), on 2 disks, for $14.95

 

 

The Compendium of District Tartans by Matthew A. C. Newsome and James A. Bullman

mixed media print edition

This print edition includes the introductory chapters, the recommended tartan name listings, and the general index for every included tartan.  On the two included CD-ROM disks, you will find the complete 470 page reference containing color illustrations, thread count, and history for each of the district tartans. The printed name lists and index make this edition extremely user-friendly for desk reference as well as at information tables at festivals and Scottish Games.

Spiral bound text with two CD-ROMS (Adobe software included).  470 pages.  Only $19.95

 

 

The Art of Kiltmaking by Barbara Tewksbury and Elsie Stuehmeyer

Kiltmaker and award-winning educator Barbara Tewksbury has teamed up with legendary kiltmaker Elsie Stuehmeyer to bring you a book that teaches the traditional kiltmaking methods that Elsie learned 50 years ago as an apprentice and kiltmaker with the renowned firm Thomas Gordon's of Glasgow.  These instructions are complete, detailed and beautifully illustrated.  With them, anyone can be confident of making a properly-made kilt that will look beautiful, fit properly, and last a lifetime.  Includes a brief history of the kilt, explanations and illustrations for every step in the kiltmaking process, over 70 color photos and hundreds of line drawings, instructions for taking care of and altering a kilt, and a list of tartan sources and suppliers.  140 pages.

Spiral bound paperback for $29.95

 

The Setts of the Scottish Tartans by D. C. Stewart

included with The Setts of the Scottish Tartans: A Commentary on the 2nd Edition  by James Scarlett

Together, these two books present the most scholarly study of and most reliable work of reference for teh identification of the traditional tartans, as well as establish a canon for their correct weaving.  D. C. Stewart's magisterial work was first published in 1950, and it built upon the work of his father, D. W. Stewart, author of Old and Rare Scottish Tartans.  The first part of the book is an outline of this history of the use of tartans, and discusses tartan designs in general, with particular reference to their significance as distinguishing one clan from another.  This is followed by a clan-by-clan description of the individual designs.  There are full-color illustrations throughout, as well as the color strips which Stewart used to illustrate the individual tartans.  In his Commentary, Scarlett, our greatest living authority on the tartans, brings Stewart's book up to date and provides corrections and addenda without interfering with the tone of the original volume.

Available on CD-ROM only (Adobe software included) for $12.95

 

The Kilt & How to Wear It by The Hon. Stuart Ruaidri Erskine (1901), with annotations by Bob Martin

The late 19th century produced renewed interest in Celtic studies and in the dress of the Highland families.  This work by one of the leading authorities of his day examines the extent of Celtic society, the origin of tartan, the supremacy of checks over family tartans, the evolution of the kilt, and the origin, coloration, and style of the other component parts of Highland dress.  Erskine refutes many of the arguments of Lord Archibald Campbell regarding the antiquity of family tartans, and while stressing the use of authentically Celtic colors and styles when possible, presents a convincing case for the kilt and its accoutrements as a living and evolving style of dress.  Kiltmaker and kilt historian Bob Martin has gone through the text line by line, and has annotated and commented on aspects of Erskine's ideas with particular attention to their relevance for those wearing the kilt today.

Spiral bound paperback for $13.95

 

The Clans, Septs, and Regiments of the Scottish Highlands

by Frank Adam, originally published in 1907.

546 pages, plus illustrations.  Possibly the most famous book on Scotland published in the 20th century, Frank Adam's work is a classic reference for all who have an interest in Scotland.  When it first appeared in print, it was the first real attempt to present a complete study of the Highlands.  Adam included large sections on the Highland clan system, the clans themselves, Highland surnames, Highland garb, tartan, Highland music, the Celtic languages in Britain, the destruction of the clan system, Highland regiments, Lowland regiments, the Highland clans after Culloden, and armorial bearings of the great Highland families.  There are as well illustrations of the various stages and sorts of Highland dress, maps showing Scotland's development through the centuries, and color illustrations of 114 tartans.  Still as useful as a detailed reference as it was a century ago.

 

 

The 1819 Key Pattern Book: One Hundred Original Tartans by Peter MacDonald

William Wilson & Sons of Bannockburn was the first commercial tartan weaving firm in Scotland.  MacDonald, a weaver who has spent his career researching the tartans woven by Wilson's, has reconstructed their 1819 Key Pattern Book with all the historical data as well as modern interpretation, notes on the colors used by Wilson, and details about weaving techniques.  There are also notes about patterns, how they were named and how some of these names and patterns have changed.  The goal is for the interested weaver to be able to accurately recreate Wilson's pattern and techniques. 

Available in paper back for $24.95

 

The Kilbarchan Project: Tracing Our Threads by Barbara Miller and Marjorie Logie Warren

While in Kilbarchan, Scotland, Miller and Warren discovered several old books containing weaving patterns from the nineteenth century.  They discovered that these hundred-plus-year-old patterns had not seen a loom since the craft was replaced by machines of the Industrial Revolution.  Finding no samples of the fabrics, Miller and Warren undertook to recreate samples of 65 of the some 1400 weaving patterns for a display entitled "Tracing Our Threads, the Kilbarchan Weaving Project."  These textiles are not the fabrics of ceremony or ornaments, but the sturdy weaves of everyday life. 

Available in paper back for $10.00

 

Tartans: Abbotsford to Fraser by William H. Johnston & Philip D. Smith Jr.

In this first of three alphabetically arranged volumes you will find over 400 examples of tartans (picture and thread count) covering the names Abbotsford to Fraser.  Includes brief historical background.

Available in paper back for $24.95

 

Tartans: Frederickton to MacNeil by William H. Johnston & Philip D. Smith Jr.

In this second of three alphabetically arranged volumes you will find over 400 examples of tartans (picture and thread count) covering the names Frederickton to MacNeil.  Includes brief historical background.

Available in paper back for $24.95

 

Tartans: MacNichol to Yukon by William H. Johnston & Philip D. Smith Jr.

In this third of three alphabetically arranged volumes you will find over 400 examples of tartans (picture and thread count) covering the names MacNichol to Yukon.  Includes brief historical background.

Available in paper back for $24.95

 

Scots Kith & Kin

A comprehensive guide to over 4000 Scottish family names and their clan affiliations.  This book will enable you to find: where and and when your surname originated; the clan to which you belong; the history of your clan; other surnames related to your own; the correct tartan to wear.  It also features a fold out color map of Scotland showing the homelands of the clans and illustrating significant events in Scottish history.

Available in paper back for $12.95

 

Tartan For Me! by Philip D. Smith Jr

Suggested tartans for Scottish, Scotch-Irish, Irish, and North American Surnames with Lists of Clan, Family, and District Tartans.  Expanded Eighth Edition.  More than 5000 changes have been made to the book since the last edition was published.  Two maps supplement the text; one shows the locations of district tartans, the other shows the locations of some major clans and families.  Information is included on how to locate uncommon tartans, the meaning of color, the recording of tartans, and when to wear a tartan.  Approximately 22,000 surnames are arranged alphabetically, providing quick reference to the right tartan for you.

Available in spiral bound paper back for $28.00

 

The Sources of the Tartans

audio lecture on CD by Matthew A. C. Newsome

The Sources of the Tartans is a narrative account of how the many named tartans we know today came to first be recorded and collected. Such figures as William Wilson, James Logan, the Sobieski-Stuarts, the Highland Society of London, and others one is likely to encounter when engaging in tartan study are examined. Learn the true place of tartans in their historical context. This lecture provides important background information for any serious study of Scottish tartans.

Audio CD, 43 minutes: $12.95

 

The Unclaimed & Unnamed Tartans

by James A. Bullman

Over the centuries, Scottish mills have designed and woven many tartans which have not been specifically labeled as a district, corporate, or family tartan.  These tartans often were woven for special occasions, or simply because the designer thought they they would be an interesting fashion tartan for manufacturers of clothing and other items.  Many of these tartans are extremely attractive and could be adopted easily for family or corporate use.  This new work by James A. Bullman containes a study of these lost or forgotten tartans, including full-color illustrations of well over a hundred of these fascinating historical designs.

CD-ROM, 155 pages: $14.95

 

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