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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M11. Duncan Drummond and Andrew Murray in the Drummond & Murray of Tullibardine tartans respectively. Background: Strathearn, Perthshire.
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M12. Both wearing the Farquharson tartan, James Bowman & William Brown Men of Colonel Farquharson. Background: Forest of Invercauld, Aberdeenshire.
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M13. In the Forbes tartan, Charles MacHardy & John Michie. Men of Sir Charles Forbes. Background: Strathdon, Aberdeenshire.
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M14. In the Gordon tartan, Donald Gordon in the hills above Abergeldie, Aberdeen.
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M15. John Grant & John Fraser in the Grant & Fraser tartans respectively. Background: Strathspey, Invernesshire
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M16. Farquhar MacDonald & Lachlan MacDonald wearing the MacDonald of Sleat and the MacDonald tartan respectively. Background: The Cuchullin Range, Isle of Skye, looking west from Sleat.
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M17. Angus MacDonell wearing the MacDonald of Keppoch tartan. Background: The Corries of Unach Mor, Invernessshire.
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M18. James Lamont & William MacHardie wearing the MacDuff - Men of the Duke of Fife. Background: Battlements of a Highland Castle.
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M19. Duncan MacGregor in the Rob Roy tartan. Background: Head of Loch Earn and Stuck-a-Shron, from Glen Ogle, Perthshire.
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M20. Archibald & Alexander MacIntosh both wearing the MacIntosh tartan. Background: Strathnairn, Invernesshire.
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