District ROTHESAY

Gaelic Name

Baile Bhoid

Tartan Designer Vestiarium Scoticum

Date pre 1842

Rothesay is the principal town of the Island of Bute, in the Firth of Clide. Bute is a low rolling island, cultivated for centuries and is home to the Stuarts of Bute, major branch of Clan Stewart and their dependents, the MacKirdys/MacCurdys. Part of the island was for many years the duthchas of the Fullertons and, later, the property of the Boyds, whose name may come from the Gaelic name for the island. In the last century, Rothesay and Rothesay Bay became popular holiday spots, a popularity remembered in song which continues until the present. A haven for pleasure boats, the island is linked to the mainland by ferry from Wemyss Bay. Rothsay is also a historic royal burgh, from which derives the title of Duke of Rothesay, held by the sovereign’s eldest son since 1469. The Rothesay tartan, previously unknown, appeared in the Vestiarium Scoticum in 1842 under the name of ‘the Prince of Rothesay’. It is based on early forms of the Royal Stewart sett. It was worn by the later King Edward VII as a small child in 1844, when he was Duke of Rothesay and Prince of Wales. There is a hunting version in W. & A.K. Johnston’s The Tartans of the Clans and Septs of Scotland, 1906.

Taken from “District Tartans of Scotland”, by Gordon Teall & Philip Smith, Shepheard-Walwyn (Publishers) Ltd.

This clan information sheet has been prepared by The Scottish Society of Louisville, Inc. PO Box 32248 Louisville, KY 40232-2248

Visit our website at www.scotsoflou.com ROTHESAY DISTRICT

Prepared by The Scottish Society of Louisville, Inc. PO Box 32248 Louisville, KY 40232-2248

Visit our website at www.scotsoflou.com