According to my family in the Scottish Highlands, the MacAskill tartan is the MacLeod of Lewis (proudly worn by 5-time world champion Shannon Hartnett, left).

But according to The Tartan Finder, the MacCaskill tartan was designed in 1951 by Dgn. M. MacDougall. It's a beautiful green and blue tartan that looks similar to (but not the same as) the modern MacLeod of Harris.

My family in Canada, knowledgeable scots from Sutherland, have a different view. "We were not aware that there was a MacAskill tartan, or MacCaskill or however spelled," they say. "On checking the House of Tartan site I see that it was 'invented' in 1951. These people will provide anyone with a tartan for a price!! No doubt they will be producing a Bill Gates tartan shortly!!"

"We all proudly wear MacLeod of Harris, sometimes referred to as Ancient MacLeod, which has been the MacAskill tartan for well over two hundred years that we know of. It's a beautiful tartan and not nearly as garish as that shown for 'MacCaskill.' The MacAskills and the MacLeods had a long and close association. So much so that on one occasion when the Chief of MacLeod was wounded in battle and unable to lead his clan, the command was given to the chief of the MacAskills, who won the day and gained even greater respect from the House of MacLeod."

Other MacAskills disagree. Said one who lives in America:

"Until now, I have worn the green McLeod because in my opinion it looks better than the yellow. I am now buying the McAskill tartan because it satisfies my sensibilities to wear a tartan bearing my last name, and it happens to be very attractive."

"There is a separate and distinct McCaskill/McAskill tartan (I have seen it spelled both ways applied to this tartan). I did not say that it is the Harris tartan, but did say it is based on the Harris tartan; the difference is that the solid red and yellow lines in the Harris have been bisected with a black line to create the McAskill (shown digitally on your website)."

"Ruairidh McLeod says this in his McLeod Tartans book about the creation of the tartan: The MacAskills have lived in Skye for as long as the MacLeods. Indeed, the MacAskills claim to have been in Skye before the MacLeods. The MacAskill lands were in Minginish around the Cuillin, and they were the hereditary swordsmen of the MacLeods."

"In 1951 Miss Margaret MacDougall, Librarian at Inverness Library, and an authority on tartans, designed a MacAskill tartan. The thread count is:

K R G K B Y K
4 2 30 30 30 2 4

The sett is based upon green MacLeod, having blue and green squares divided by black bands. But whereas MacLeod has yellow and red lines flanked by narrow black guards, the MacAskill design has black lines flanked by Narrow red and yellow guards."

"In looking in books, I knew there was a McAskill tartan but had never seen it until Peter McDonald (a noted Edinburgh weaver) showed me a sample when he was at our highland games. Then a Clan McLeod Society member I knew showed up in kilt with the same McAskill sett. Thirdly, the Franklin, N.C, Scottish Tartans Museum registry had the threadcount above as well as a sample. So we know that the registration and authenticity of the McAskill tartan is valid."

"So to sum up, in my view, there are no real rights or wrongs in choosing the tartan. It is a matter of choice and individual taste. But I do wear a tartan to show allegiance and belonging to the McLeods. As a McAskill I choose the McAskill, but can also choose any of the other 17 McLeod tartans; I am going to get the red McLeod in my next acquisition."

What? You have another view? You can straighten us out?

Email Chris MacAskill (chris@macaskill.com) and I'll post your views.

Thanks!
Chris MacAskill

Setting the record straight:

Loyalty to the MacLeods is in the past. In the mid 1800s The Chief of the MacLeods took back several lands granted to the MacAskills for their past chivalry in defense of the clan and preceded to give them to his new son in law. Then they preceded to raise rents so high that no MacAskill, save a few, could remain in Skye. Even today the majestic Cuillins, in which the MacAskills have for generations fought and died under their shadows, have been put up for sale to the highest bidder by the latest Chief. Anyone believing in "loyalty to the Chief" romanticized version of Scottish history has had the tartan wool pulled over his eyes.

On a lighter note. I cant believe no one brought up the more controversial issue on the tartan debate page of women wearing the kilt! Normally, a kilt looks positively hideous on a woman's form. Its just plain tailored for men.

Donnelle Mckaskle
(Austin, Texas)

10/16/2000
I am the only son of 2 only-child MacAskills (my father and his). I know well of the loyalty toward the MacLeods of Lewis. I was also explained my right to wear a MacKenzie plaid. I will wear the MacAskill plaid at my wedding (next year) and explain to my son (and there will be one or my name isn't Douglas Stewart MacAskill) the loyalties to his and other clans and the importance of an open mind.

In conversation I know of no one who would begrudge a MacAskill his own tartan. It is important to Hold Fast to traditional values whether they be 200 years old or 50.

Doug MacAskill

P.S. If Bill Gates had half the pride, honor and dignity in his lineage that I do, I wouldn't begrudge him his own tartan either!

8/23/2000
My name is Stuart Mac Donald. I know this may sound funny, but I am a Mac Askill from Englishtown, C.B. The giant is a relative of mine on my mothers side.

The reason that I am writing is to put my two cents worth in, on the subject of the wearing of tartan. I believe that it is not important any more as a proud highlander whose ancestors were cleared from their homeland by the same people who others wish to appease by wearing a tartan to feel like they belong. In your article you stated that some MacAskills may have lived and settled near the cuillins. Well, they were just sold by Chief John McLeod so he can fix leaks on his ancestoral home. Sounds kind of ironic, EH! 

I am reminded of when that man showed up to Englishtown while we were celebrating a Mac Askill family gathering I looked around at all the people, who were MacAskills from just about all over the world, and just about everybody had a look of distain on their faces as he trotted about.

Also people should not be to concerned about how the name is spelled. Don't forget thats how the English spell it!

Thanks for letting me vent!

Your kinsmen Stuart Mac Donald

3/25/1999 Greetings (from a once itinerant MacAskill originally from South Africa and now resident in Cleveland by way of Paris and Seattle)

I wear the light blue and green Harris (ridiculously called "ancient" ) but have wanted for some time to get another kilt in the '51 MacCaskill. Do you happen to know of any sources for this tartan (i.e., preferably a mill who might actually have it in stock, thus obviating a custom weaving request, which I doubt I'll be able to afford)? Any information will be much appreciated.

Wonderful site; hoping to hear from you,

Brian MacAskill

5/8/98
I'm a Macauley and wear the MacLeod as proudly as any (we 'sons of Olaf')!

Thanks again, TTYL,

Keith

4/16/98
...We are also active with our Saint Andrews Society and Clan MacLeod Society so get plenty of the culture in the events which seem to happen every other month or so.

You are going to love this [McCaskill] tartan. Several of the MacLeods around here like the Loud/Proud MacLeod yellow, but it is too much for me. Our tartan has the green, black, and blue base of the Black Watch, with just enough yellow and scarlet to stand out. Should catch on.

John McAskill