Muirhead Family Tartan Rediscovered by Clan Society Thanks to United Effort and the Help of the Internet Continued from Page Three In his first letter, Dr. Smith reported that he mailed the art work samples of the Tartan from William Muirhead, Grace's grandfather. He said it appeared to be an authentic and historic sett and well worth it in his opinion to consider adopting it as the Muirhead Clan Tartan. He thought it to be a very good looking Tartan as well. It does have historical significance and he is going to write it up as the Muirhead Tartan. As far as his documentation goes the William Muirhead Tartan is the only historic Muirhead Tartan of documented proof to date. He has completed the thread count and would send it along for our history data base. The brown block is - or was - green he said, and when it was new there would have been two shades of green in it. Typically the dyes of that time, with age muted and faded out, and that in itself was an indication of the great age. Based on his study of it he would estimate that the dyed wool used could even be much older than William Muirhead, but that could only be proven by expensive tests and studies. Here is an excerpt from Dr. Smith's letter. "Dear Ray, Thank you so much for the picture of the "Muirhead" tartan. It is a lovely and I have been able to make a thread count from it. It is now recorded in my computer I enclosed a print. The brown areas, lighter and darker, were originally green. Early dyes did that, change slowly. I enclosed a print of the tartan as I now have it, showing the green. It is really very attractive just as it is and the provenance is great. You should be proud that you have uncovered such an historic sett. In a kilt, green will predominate. Several ideas are enclosed but I'd stick right with the original if I were you. Later you can have a "Hunting Muirhead" with three shades of green, not unique, but rare." Back | Next This article was contributed by Raymond L. Morehead, President, Muirhead Clan Society, July, 2000 Links: Muirhead Clan Society Website Pacific Northwest Scottish Highland Games