Hit TV show Antiques Roadshow visited Edinburgh's Royal Botanical Gardens tonight (April 3). And one of the lots brought onto the show was a full set of Highland Clan chief regalia.
The lot was brought by the granddaughter of a Mr Peter MacDonell who bought the regalia because he was worried it would no longer belong to a member of the McDonald clan after they ran into financial hardship. He bought the lot in the 1920s.
Valuer Gordon Foster, a specialist in silverware, analysed the lot. He concluded it belonged to Clan chief MacDonell of Glengarry at Invergarry Castle in the Highlands.
Read more: How to visit the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh
Gordon said it was "difficult" to give an exact date for the traditional Highland regalia. But said it will have been made in around 1822.
What is traditional Highland regalia?
The first item Gordon explained was a traditional sporran and belt. He said: "This is black and white with horsehair."
Often worn with a kilt and belt, the sporran is a pouch that serves largely the same purpose as pockets. Traditionally made from leather or fur, it matches the formality of the dress it's worn with.
Since kilts traditionally do not have pockets, the sporran acted as a form of wallet. It is often worn at the front but can be moved if engaging in activities where a pouch may hinder the wearer.
The dress valued on Antiques Roadshow also included a dirk, a ceremonial weapon that was often bestowed onto officers, pipers and drummers from the Scottish Highland regiments. It accompanied a smaller knife, the sgian-dubh, which was smaller and used for eating and preparing food.
It also had a plaid broach, which is traditionally worn on the shoulder to hold the tartan plaid in place. All of the pieces had a raven on them to show their clan crest.
The more traditional pieces were often worn with a kilt, jacket, white shirt, black bowtie, and evening dress brogues in semi-formal and evening settings.
How much was the Highland dress valued?
Antiques Roadshow valuer Gordon thought it would be worth between £15,000 and £20,000 if it appeared in a sale. He said: "It's a magnificent group of things. I'm loving it.
"I think in my time I've only ever seen one or two complete sets. It's a rare thing."
The owner of the items said they would consider giving it to the MacDonell museum.
- Antiques Roadshow airs on Sundays at 7pm on BBC One. Previous episodes can be watched on iPlayer.
