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The idea of an estate
tweed developed in the nineteenth century in Scotland. In many ways
these tweed patterns are very similar to tartans (both in design and usage).
In fact, the estate tweed (also called the estate check) owes its existence to
the popularizing of Scotland in general, and Highland dress in particular, by
Queen Victoria and Prince Albert.
In 1848 Prince Albert
purchased the estate of Balmoral from the Farguharsons of Inverey. One
of the things Prince Albert did was to design a tweed for use by all the
stalkers and ghillies on the estate. Many other estates in Scotland were
sold in the nineteenth century by money-strapped Highland chiefs and
landholders to English nobles attracted by the new popularity of the north
country.
Many of these new
Scottish estate owners wanted to participate in the Highland "tartan
tradition" but felt they had no claim to possess a tartan of their own.
So particular patterns of checked tweeds were designed and worn by all on the
estate. They were worn both to identify the estate and also to provide
camouflage dress for the hunters and outdoorsmen.
Actual estate tweeds
are protected patterns and not available to the general public. However,
the following patterns are inspired by these traditional estate tweed patterns
and make an attractive jacket for wear with your tartan kilt, and can in fact
be used for kilts themselves. These patterns, part of the Glen Tilt line
from the Isle Mill, are woven in a 13 oz worsted wool (not tweed cloth), the
same weight and quality of our medium weight kilt cloth.
Kilts may be purchased in these fabrics at the
same rate as our 13 oz medium weight kilts, as listed on our
main kilt page.
The kilt pictured above is a "casual kilt" which would be $340. All
styles of kilt are available in these fabrics, including full 8 yard kilts.
Order just as you would any kilt, by calling (828)524-7472 or emailing
tartans@scottishtartans.org.
Jackets & Vests are made to measure in the
fabric of your choosing. Cost is $495 for jacket and vest together.
The style as pictured at right is a standard Argyle jacket with gauntlet cuffs and
silver-toned diamond shaped buttons. A "modern kilt jacket" is also
available with a plain cuff, no epaulets, and plain buttons; essentially a
blazer made for wear with a kilt. Jacket and vest may be ordered in
the same pattern, or you can mix and match a pattern and solid color to create
a unique outfit all your own! Ordering information for jackets and vests
is below.
The outfit here
pictured is a kilt and jacket in the Glen Tilt pattern, with vest in Indigo
blue. It is being worn with claret colored
Lewis kilt hose,
navy blue garter
flashes, a brown muskrat
mask sporran,
and weathered red kilt
tie.
Cloth
can be ordered at $75 per yard. It comes 54" wide and is 13 oz weight
per yard. Fabric is 100% worsted wool and is woven in Scotland.
Allow 4 weeks for delivery of yard goods.
When ordering your jacket and vest, if you want both made from the same
cloth, simply enter the name of the pattern or color in the order field.
If you wish the jacket and vest to be different, please indicate the desired
patterns or colors in the order field in this manner: jacket cloth/vest
cloth. For instance, for the outfit pictured at top right, you would enter
"Glen Tilt/Indigo" for a Glen Tilt pattern jacket and Indigo color vest.
Jackets are made to order in Scotland. Please allow approximately 8 to
12 weeks for
delivery.
Please view the available patterns and solid colors below. Click
on any thumbnail image for a larger version.
Any questions? Need advice? Call us at (828)524-7472. |
The Scottish Tartans
Museum
