The wearing of Tartan

[flytyer]

Just wondering if it is wrong to wear a Tartan that is not my Clan's. I have read both ideas on it. It is hard to find my families Tartan.

On my dad’s side, my Grand Mother was a Glasgow and I can only find city and school Tartans. I have spent many hours on the I-Net and cannot find the clan I am associated with. My family has tried to track the name back to Scotland and they can’t find any info. All I know is my family came over and settled around Chicago.

Any advice on what Tartan to wear and if it is okay to wear other clans that I know.

Thank You
Scott

[Jock Scot]

In truth you can wear nearly any tartan you wish, whether you should, is entirely another matter altogether and is a subject of hot debate here.There are plenty of other and perfectly legitimate choices other than a clan tartan, if you decide a clan tartan is not for you.

[davidlpope]

Scott,

What's your surname? Perhaps we can help. Sometimes alternate spellings are hard to unravel.

Generally, people choose to wear a clan tartan associated with their surname, if such connection exists. If one does not exist, then you might consider your mother's surname or go further back on your family tree. If that still doesn't help, then you might consider wearing a district tartan, a "universal" tartan (Caledonia and Hunting Stewart are two examples), or a tartan associated with your military branch or regiment, if that is applicable. The traditional Highland practice, though, seems to be "choose one tartan and stick with it", based on what I have gleaned.

If I remember correctly, the Glasgow tartan is an old, authentic sett from Wilson's of Bannockburn, an early weaving firm in the 18th/19th century. I believe it is commercially available from Lochcarron in their 16 oz. range and is quite nice, so you might consider that one strongly. It's not unusual for district tartans to be adopted by the family that bears that surname. For example, Duncan Paisley of Westerlea, chief of the name, adopted the Paisley district tartan for himself and his followers as their "clan" tartan.

One friendly suggestion, though. Arms are unique to the individuals, towns, cities, organizations, or corporations to whom they are granted and are considered that entity's lawful property. My guess is that your avatar depicts the arms of someone with the surname Glasgow who was previously granted arms by either the Lord Lyon or the College of Arms. Despite that fact that "bucket shops" will sell such as depicting the arms of all people bearing a certain surname, this is incorrect, misleading, and results in the usurpation of another's property.

Cordially,

David

[biblemonkey]

Just wondering if it is wrong to wear a Tartan that is not my Clan's. I have read both ideas on it. It is hard to find my families Tartan.

On my dad’s side, my Grand Mother was a Glasgow and I can only find city and school Tartans. I have spent many hours on the I-Net and cannot find the clan I am associated with. My family has tried to track the name back to Scotland and they can’t find any info. All I know is my family came over and settled around Chicago.

Any advice on what Tartan to wear and if it is okay to wear other clans that I know.

Thank You
Scott

The best advice I have recieved is, "Because the Scottish, for the most part don't really care, do what you are comfortable with." If you are at a clan gathering or "official" event, try to wear your clan. If you are just wanting to look nice for a wedding or for everyday, wear what you like. My grandmother's clan (Hynde) is next to impossible to find unless you special order the wool, so I wear the Graham which is the other side of our family and she wears the "Maclean" as a substitute for the Hynde as it is the closest she could find. I also wear some of the "universal" tartans like the "Scotland the Brave" and "Blackwatch". there is a great listing of these on usakilts.com. If you are comfortable wearing another clan then go for it. Just make sure you know what tartan you are wearing and be respectful in your wearing of it.

All the best in your search,
Hugh

[davidlpope]

The best advice I have recieved is, "Because the Scottish, for the most part don't really care, do what you are comfortable with."

Hugh,

I'm not sure that this reflects what Scots really think, but I'll let them chime in.

David

[ctbuchanan]

In reality there is a large percentage of people of Scottish descent that do not have a "clan" family tartan. Many have a district tartan - Glasgow included - and wear them with pride. The Scottish District Family Association is active at many highland games in the U.S.
There are also many other 'generic' Scottish tartans to enjoy as well.
But learning the surname you are researching might help us all help you.

[biblemonkey]

Hugh,

I'm not sure that this reflects what Scots really think, but I'll let them chime in.

David

I was actually told this by a Scottish national who had emigrated to the states. Some may hold different opinions but it seems the majority (that I have met anyway) don't really care TOO much unless at an official function. You just better be ready to explain why you chose that particular tartan and know a little something about it.

[Paul Henry]

You CAN wear almost any tartan you like, the tartans used by clans are generally one that were simply made up for them , and originally had little other significance other than the chief liked them!Originally Clans probably didn't even have named tartans, wearing whatever the local weaver produced
There really is no problem about the wearing of whichever tartan you like.Some members on here like to make the point that you could get into trouble by tartans which others might think you are not "entitled " to, but this is really unrealistic, many seem to think that they have an ownership of some tartans and can prohibit the wearing.While there are a few that are restricted, there are hundreds and thousands which are readily available.
This is always a "hot" topic here, the subject coming up at least once or twice each and every month and usually raises a lot of feelings.In fact there are even some members here who think that no one other than Highland born should even consider wearing traditional tartans.
Whatever you do choose find out something about it, the history and the background, and then you would be prepared to answer questions, as there will always be questions!
you didn't say what your surname, or family is, there is a lot of help here, and some of us might be able to do some research for you as well!
T

[flytyer]

My Sir Name is German, Karstens, but my Grandmothers Sir Name on my dad's side was Glasgow. I do not know if that was realy their sir Name in Scotland or if they changed it when they came to the US. We have not been able to find out any more info.

Thanks for the help
Scott

[xman]

There's German National, German Heritage and German American Tartans and like you say there's the Glasgow. That's four that are very close to you. There are also dozens if not hundreds of District and Fashion tartans to choose from. I suggest you choose one that you find most attractive and has great meaning for you and wear it with pride.

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