Black Watch tartan

**ccga3359** · 19th December 06, 02:40 PM

I am yet to purchase my first kilt. I am leaning towards the black shdow tartan from SWK but will probably go for their standard kilt in Black Watch tartan to see if this is indeed part of my lifestyle. I do like the pattern so this will not be a compromise. I do not have a family tartan and have read several times that Black Watch is open to all. My question is; since this is a regimental tartan (I have never served), what right do I actually have to wear it? Is it not an insult to those who served and fought with these regiments? Also for those you do wear this tartan do you ever get asked or even hassled reguarding the tartan?
Thank you,
Grant

**Paul Henry** · 19th December 06, 02:42 PM

there are lots of posts about questions like yours, and the answer is, you can wear whatever tartan you like, basically wear it well and no one can gainsay you, be confident, that's the key.

And welcome to the forum

paul

**Splash_4** · 19th December 06, 02:48 PM

Agreed, wear it proudly and be prepared to answer questions about the tartan and what it represents.

**macwilkin** · 19th December 06, 03:01 PM

Thread moved to heraldry & tartans section. Please post all tartan-related questions here.

Thanks!

Todd

**macwilkin** · 19th December 06, 05:24 PM

Originally Posted by ccga3359

I am yet to purchase my first kilt. I am leaning towards the black shdow tartan from SWK but will probably go for their standard kilt in Black Watch tartan to see if this is indeed part of my lifestyle. I do like the pattern so this will not be a compromise. I do not have a family tartan and have read several times that Black Watch is open to all. My question is; since this is a regimental tartan (I have never served), what right do I actually have to wear it? Is it not an insult to those who served and fought with these regiments? Also for those you do wear this tartan do you ever get asked or even hassled reguarding the tartan?
Thank you,
Grant

Grant,

Your avatar appears to be a Canadian ratings badge; have you considered the Maple Leaf tartan, since you are a Canadian?

Cheers,

Todd

**ccga3359** · 19th December 06, 06:43 PM

Yes I have considered the Maple Leaf tartan, it is a gorgeous tartan indeed. Although it would no doubt cost over $400 cdn for a custom made kilt. I was thinking of a casual and (inexpensive) kilt to start off with. The Maple Leaf or even Ontario will have to be a few kilts down the road. Now if only there were a Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary tartan...

**slohairt** · 19th December 06, 08:44 PM

Dia Dhuit, mo charaí

If you're looking for material in Ontario, Wal-Mart carries Maple Leaf in polyester-viscose, and Lens Mill fabric stores (various locations around Southwestern Ontario) carry a number of Canadian tartans in polyester-viscose. Fraser & Kirkbright in Vancouver, BC carry many Canadian tartans in 11 oz. Merino Wool.

**ccga3359** · 19th December 06, 09:09 PM

Really? Walmart carries bolts of material? I should pick some up even if I sit on it for a while.
Thanks for the tip, I do like the Maple Leaf tartan.

**Andrew Green** · 19th December 06, 09:29 PM

There are kiltmakers who make kilts in PV, I think many of them would be OK with making a kilt for you in a pattern/fabric you provide. Could be an idea for later down the road. PV is comfy, and stain resistant, and washes fairly easy from what I have been told (I haven't had the need to wash mine yet). I'd pick some up, just cause the opportunity is there.

**slohairt** · 20th December 06, 12:57 AM

Dia Dhuit!

The Maple Leaf tartan at Wal-Mart (or at least at the one here in Kitchener!) is $8.34 CAN/metre. Wal-Mart also has solid black twill weave suiting material in wool. It's $4.77 CAN /metre. The tartans at Lens Mill (the closest to you I think would be in Cambridge) are $10.99/metre. Off the top of my head, they have Black Watch, Maple Leaf, Newfoundland, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Cape Breton, and a few others that I can't identify.