The story of 'Reproduction Tartans' is essentially the tale of two fragments, the first a piece of cloth no larger than a table napkin, and the other a vital nine months in the history of Scotland.

It began in the autumn of 1946. A Peat gatherer seeking fuel on Culloden Moor, near Inverness, dug out an old piece of cloth. After the most searching examination this proved to be of MacDonald Tartan. The colour and sett were noted to be somewhat different to that in vogue - hardly surprising when it was decided that the piece of cloth was certainly 200 years old.

It may well have been worn by a Macdonald then fighting in defence of Prince Charles Edward Stuart, in his quest for the throne of Scotland. That quest had been started so bravely when the same Charles Edward Stuart, fresh from France, raised his Standard at Glenfinnan and set the hilltop beacons ablaze, rallying the Clans of Scotland, that 19th day of August 1745.

Success at first came easy with victories over the English Forces at Prestonpans, Falkirk and Edinburgh. Alarmed, King George II sent his son, the Duke of Cumberland - to be known thenceforth as "The Butcher" - to Scotland to suppress the insurrection with utmost vigour.

This he did in full measure, culminating in the Battle of Culloden Moor on the 16th day of April 1746.

The Scots suffered great tyranny for their loyalty to the Stuart cause. Not least of their repressions was a measure which at once struck at family, clan and the Scottish nation, namely The Act of Proscription passed by Parliament. This "proscribed or banned the making or wearing of Tartan clothes".

This unhappy state of affairs persisted for the next 36years before the act was repealed. During this time much of the skill, knowledge and art required to make the ancient tartan designs was all too often forgotten.

Judge the importance of the Peat gatherer's find and with what care it was cherished. Here indeed was the key to much lost and sketchy knowledge, and its true value was immeasurable. D.C. Dalgliesh obtained this piece of cloth on loan, on strict conditions laid down including (1) that it be insured for £2,000 (a great sum then); and (2) that it be lodged nightly, locked away in a safe.

Patient and intensive research into colours, sett and weave followed. And as a result D.C.Dalgliesh Ltd. have produced a range of 'Reproduction Tartans' which are authentic in colour and design to those worn in 1745 and before.

Woven in pure 100% new wool, and using traditional weaving methods, the colourings of these Tartans offers a soft muted effect entirely reminiscent of the days when vegetable sources such as lichen, moss and alder bark provided the dyer with his raw materials.