The 79th, or Cameron of Erracht tartan is unique in being the only one of the old regimental tartans which is not derived from the Government or Black Watch tartan. It is generally believed that it was designed for the newly raised regiment by Mrs Marjory Cameron of Erracht, mother of Major Alan Cameron of Erracht. She was born a MacLean of Drimnin, and there are theories that she devised the 79th tartan by combining two or more clan tartans, such as the MacDonald, Cameron or MacLean. However, there was no rigid system of clan tartans in 1793; they evolved during the early 19th century.
It is more likely that she used a design that was popular at the time in Lochaber, and which included the old pattern known as the ‘MacDonald motif’, a feature in common use among weavers in the West Highlands but not confined to any clan or district. Indeed it is likely that the 79th tartan is many years older than the various clan tartans of which it has been suggested to be a combination.
There are three Cameron tartans in civilian use these days, the Cameron of Lochiel (Loch Eil) which dates back to 1810; the Clan Cameron tartan, predominantly red, is of uncertain date of origin, not illustrated before 1842; and the Hunting Cameron. The 79th tartan is the oldest of all the Cameron tartans, worn continuously since 1793. The photo shows a modern civilian kilt, used here to illustrate the sett.
