Hard tartan dress

Highlands

This hard-tartan dress was handmade on the Scottish island of Benbecula in the early half of 19th century. It shows signs of wear, tear and repair, indicating that it would have been worn by a working woman. It was collected by the pioneering Victorian collector and folklorist Alexander Carmichael (1832-1912). Part of the Carmichael Collection is now in the museum’s care, while his archive is in the care of Edinburgh University.

Material: wool

Size: L 1300 mm x W 46 mm (shoulder)

Sources: Carmichael Collection