Kenneth McLeay RSA was a renowned Victorian miniaturist responsible for two magnificantly illustrated volumes entitled the Highlands of Scotland ... published by Royal Command in 1870. The original water colours are owned by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and are held in the library of Windsor Castle.
Volume 1 contains the detailed prints of eight retainers (servants) of the Royal Household at Balmoral and seven portraits of leading clansmen and followers. Volume II contains 'Principal Clans & Followings' and comprises 16 illustrations.
These 31 paintings of MacLeay's are without doubt the most detailed portraits of the period showing in astonishing detail, the individuals, their Highland dress and - most importantly - the tartans they wore. Victorian lithography has never been surpassed and the prints in the books look as if they were McLeay's originals.
The Tartans Authority has permission to reproduce these and can make them available in either A4 (297mm x 210mm [11.75 inches x 8,25 inches]) or A3 (420mm x 297mm [16.5 inchesx 11,75 inches]). Each illustration is individually printed on 310gsm Giclée Museum Classic paper.
The majority of the paintings are of groups of Highlanders in an appropriate landscape background and the description of each print gives the tartan(s) the names of the subjects and the portrait background.
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M01 - John Grant, Her Majesty's Head Keeper at Balmoral. Background: Loch-na-Gar, Aberdeenshire.
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M02 - John Brown, Her Majesty's Personal Servant in a plain grey kilt. Background: Osborne House, Queen Victoria's and Prince Albert's private home on the Isle of Wight just off the south coast of England.
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M03 - William Ross, Her Majesty's Piper in a Royal Stewart kilt. Background: Windsor Castle.
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M04 - In a Balmoral kilt, Archibald Anderson Brown, His Royal Highness Prince Leopold's Valet. Background: Balmoral Castle.
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M05.In Royal Stewart kilts - Donald Stewart & Charles Duncan Her Majesty's Keepers at Balmoral. Background: Valley of the Dee, Aberdeenshire.
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M06 - In a MacDonald of Sleat kilt, Archibald Fraser MacDonald, His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales' Jager. Background: Corrie of Loch-na-Gar.
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M07 - Duke of Rothesay tartan. William MacDonald, His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales Piper. Background: Abergeldie Castle,Aberdeenshire.
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M08. In a plain kilt, James Morgan. Their Royal Highnesses Prince and Princess Christian of Schleswig-Holstein's Servant. Background: The wilds of Deeside.
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M09. Both wearing the Campbell tartan. Colin Campbell, Argyllman & John Campbell, Breadalbaneman. Background: Loch Fyne, Argyleshire.
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M10. Chisholm & Cameron tartans. John Chisholm, Colin Stewart Cameron & John Cameron. Background: Loch Arkaig in Lochaber.
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