Gordon Tartans

Gordon Modern (Regimental)
Source Tartan Society ts214 from Duke
of Gordon 1793 (Forsythe of Huntly)
From three patterns based on the Black
Watch by Forsythe at the commission of
the Duke, the Duke chose the single
yellow over check and offered the
double and triple tram lines to other
family heads. Thread count: B24, K4,
B4, K4, B4, K24, G24, Y4, G24, K24,
B24, K4, B4

Variation of Gordon Red/ Old Huntly
Source Tartan Society TS641 It is
documented in a letter from a David
Rodgers of Forfar addressed to Messrs
Wilson of Bannockburn dated July 25th
1796. Thread Count: B28, W2, G16, W2,
DG32, A12, W2, B28, W2, G28, A12,
G12, R16, DG12, R16, DG2

Gordon of Esselmont
Source Tartan Society ts1064.
Previously listed as Gordon Ancient,
Captain Wolrige-Gordon of
Esslemont in recent research found
that the Duke of Gordon applied to
Forsythe of Huntly to provide kilts for
his troops. He chose the single stripe
and called in the Heads of the
families to choose from the others.
Esslemont took the three stripe
version. Thread Count: K8, P46, K46,
G44, Y6, G6, Y12

Gordon Old Ancient
This is the three tram line version of the
tartan commissioned of Forsythe of
Huntly by the 4th Duke of Gordon in
1793. (See Gordon of Esselmont
below.) Thread Count: K8, B46, K46,
G44, Y6, G6, Y12

Gordon Old/Muted
Same as the Gordon Modern above, but
in the pre-aniline dye colors. The tartan
is sometimes referred to as muted.
(This is the tartan the Chief wears!)
Thread count: B24, K4, B4, K4, B4, K24,
G24, Y4, G24, K24, B24, K4, B4

Gordon of Abergeldie
Source Tartan Society ts955 This sett
was reconstructed from a scarf in a
painting of Rachael Gordon, hanging
in Abergeldie Castle, painted by
Alexander in 1723. The count and
colour description was taken by the
Lord Lyon in 1953. Thread Count:
G36, Y2, LP12, K2, W2, R40

Gordon Dress
Source Tartan Society ts1782, W & A K
Johnston. Oldest of the Dress Gordons,
this sett is based on the usual Gordon
or 92nd regimental pattern. Thread
Count: W4, B2, W24, B4, W4, K16, B16,
K4, B4, K4, B16, K16, G16, K2, Y4, K2,
G16, K16, W4, B4, W24, B2, W4

Sir William Gordon of Fyvie proudly wore a Gordon Red Tartan for his portrait in 1766. Portrait by
Pompeo Batoni (1766) hangs at Fyvie Castle.

The first documented effort to enforce a uniformity of tartan worn throughout an entire clan was in
1618, when Sir Robert Gordon of Gordonstoun, wrote to Murry of Pulrossie requesting that he bring
the plaids worn by his men into "harmony with that of his other septs." It was a Red Gordon!

In 1793, Alexander, 4th Duke of Gordon commissioned three patterns based on the Government
tartan (Black Watch) from William Forsythe of Huntly. He chose the version with the single yellow
over check for himself and his new regiment, and offered the double and triple tram line versions to
the two main Cadet Branches of the Family. Contrary to popular belief, the regiment which first wore
the Gordon Modern was not the Gordon Highlanders. It was the Gordon Fencibles raised in 1793. The
Gordon Highlanders who made the tartan famous around the world were raised in 1794!

Gordon Weathered
Believe it or not this is the same sett as
the Gordon Modern! When the wearing
of tartan was outlawed after the 1745
Rebellion, many people buried their
tartans. They were in many cases dug
up when the ban was lifted. This tartan
is woven in colors that simulate what the
Gordon Modern/Regimental would have
looked like after being buried for 50
years.