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Located Robert Bain original edition of his book "The Clans and Tartans of Scotland" publishsed in July of 1938. Robert Bain was the City Librarian of Glasgow at the time. While many tartan scholars refer to Robert Bain as the source of Tartan 1003, in this First Edition from 1938, the Publishers acknowledge cuttings of tartans for reproduction and advice and guidance from the firm of Peter MacArthur and Company of Glasgow. Peter MacArthur and Company is still very much a part of the lucrative tartan industry and I noticed that they are located today in Biggar, Lanarkshire, Scotland. Perhaps they have some information on our elusive Tartan 1003. I am wondering if they should be quoted as the source of Tartan 1003 rather than Robert Bain. While it is often stated that there is a Macdonnell of Kepoch tartan that the Livingstones may have found the inspiration for our tartan design, I also noticed in Bains 1938 book that the McColl tartan looks very similiar to ours. THe McColls being listed as a sept of Stewart of Appin that fought with our people at the Battle of Culloden. The Livingstone Tartan in the 1938 and in subsequent editions 1953 and 1961 that I viewed at the library all contained a tartan that was red with black lines and small green squares. Oddly enough the 1976 edition is missing the green squares and only shows up in the picture as being red with black lines. The librarian I thought this to be some sort of printing error rather than a new Livingstone tartan, but I am not certain. We have 1989 edition I think that the red and black tartan is also in that one. I will check that later on today. As the Bain book is used by many family researchers this should be clarified one way or another I feel. Donald (Livingstone) Clink

Another good lead, I would think!

HI Kyle, I am going to submit a full report to Niall on this one because hundreds of Livingstones may be thinking that Tartan 1003 in some of the later RObert Bain books is a red and black tartan rather than a red green and black tartan that you can see in the 1938, 1953 and 1961 editions for example. If it is a error in the 1976, 1989 editions or any subsequent editions of the Bain book then someone needs to find out if it will be corrected. If any one has access to a recent RObert Bain tartan guide from the 1990's or more recent check whether our tartan is red and black or an early version of the red with green blocks and black lines. To the many people out there who take clan tartans seriously and spend alot of money on their kilts it is an important issue. regards Donald

Just to say, Donald, that I think the rendering of Tartan 1003 as a red and black tartan in the later editions of Robert Bain is due to poor quality printing. It is not just the Livingstone tartan

I am trying to remember why, but I am sure we've come to think about whether we have connections to the McColls before. Anyone remember anything?

Andrew, If you search "McColl" you will find 16 posts that come up, the last two being http://www.clanmclea.co.uk/forum/Show-M ... sp?ID=2554 http://www.clanmclea.co.uk/forum/Show-M ... sp?ID=2368 regards, Jerry

Hi Jill, I agree. I think it is some sort of printing problem as i noticed in the 1938 edition that the MacColl tartan contained red black and green as well and then sure enough in 1976 it was red and black. Realistically I don't that there is anything one can do about the problem except to keep our clan members aware of the problem. Despite the fact that Livingstone tartans 814 and 895 are a lower number than 1003 at least one of them I found out was produced between 1930 and 1950 by Hastie-McGregor or something like that. And interestly 814 and 895 are so remarkably similiar patterns with only some slight variations. regards Donald (Livingstone) Clink

Hi Andrew, Not certain regarding their DNA profile, although I would suspect they share something of their long time neighbours the Maconleas. Only know that they were a friendly neighbourhood clan and like Maconleas are often stated to be septs of Stewarts of Appin. DOnald

I don't know precisely where or when, but Clan MacColl settled in the Appin area and developed a close relationship with Stewarts of Appin it is said. Their tartan is said be indentified as dating from the 18th century. Donald (Livingstone) Clink

Well, there are connections with McColl in Lismore and Appin, if you look at our birth records: http://www.clanlivingstone.com/Births_Lismore.htm Marriages to McColls. But as for familial relations, I looked around and couldn't find much.