Join me and Peter Eslea Macdonald, tartan historian, for an afternoon talking tartan!
The Bannockburn House Trust is pulling out all the stops for a a special afternoon featuring the stories of extraordinary examples of tartan.
What better place for this discussion than the home of that famous family of tartan weavers - Wilson & Sons of Bannockburn?
About the Event & Speakers:
Our journey into tartan’s past will be presented by Peter MacDonald & Rebecca Olds, experts in the fields of tartan, weaving, and historical dress.
The study of historical tartan garments encompasses many elements from practical life and socioeconomics to the very expression of self and wider culture. Since the 18th century there have been important changes in the way tartan is viewed, utilized, and worn. We'll be exploring the foundation of these changes by examining three special garments from this period.
Our talks will highlight the 1785 wedding gown of Isabella MacTavish Fraser and the extraordinary Glen Affric tartan found in a bog over 40 years ago and recently carbon-dated to the 16th century. Both these remarkable objects will be explored - how they were made and by whom, who wore or used them and why - against the backdrop of political, social and economic changes and expressions of cultural identity, how tartan was viewed and how those views have changed over time.
THE RE-CREATED ISABELLA GOWN MADE IN 2019 WILL BE ON DISPLAY.
Joining me will be Peter MacDonald Tartan Historian to tell us not only about the Wilsons but also about the exciting recent discovery that the Glen Affric tartan (pulled out of a bog about 40 years ago) dates from the 16th century, making it the earliest known example of Scottish tartan. With Peter's guidance, we can begin to re-consider what we thought we knew about Scotland's iconic national textile.
WHERE: Laigh Hall of Bannockburn House, Pirnhall Road (A91), Stirling FK7 8EY, Scotland, UK. This is just off Junction 9 of the M9 motorway between Edinburgh and Stirling.
Prices for the afternoon’s event start at £25.
For full details of the timings and format of the event and to book, visit https://www.bannockburnhouse.scot/our-events/ and click on “Tales of Tartan”.