Choice of Tartan

[gealach]

I'd like to request your advice on the coice of my next tartan. I already have a Black Watch kilt and am looking towards Royal Stewart now. But...

Keeping in mind that i have no genealogical connections to Scotland and therefore to any tartan whatsoever, could I walk around in the highlands, wearing a Royal Stewart, without offending anyone (except THAT guy of course, because there's always THAT guy)?

[Kiltem in NM]

The only reason I know this, is because I read it today. It is considered acceptable to wear Stewart Black, or Stewart Hunting, but only acceptable to wear Stewart Royal, if you have permission from The Queen. It is her personal tartan! In this case, THAT guy, just may happen to be Queen Elizabeth II.

[FossilHunter]

Interesting article on Stewart tartans here.

[Father Bill]

Interesting article on Stewart tartans here.

...and by one of XMarks’ distinguished members.

[Liam]

...and by one of XMarks’ distinguished members.

I miss Matt’s input here. He was a valued contributor.

[Liam]

My favourite of the Stewart tartan is the ‘Hunting’.
Cheers!

[FossilHunter]

I miss Matt’s input here. He was a valued contributor.

would it be impolite to ask why he doesn't post any more?

I notice from past threads that several prolific (and knowledgeable) posters seem to have vanished in the last couple years.

[Bruce Scott]

Interesting article on Stewart tartans here.

And it tells us:

"Opinions regarding the proper use of [the Royal Stewart tartan] run strong! Some are of the opinion that its use should be restricted only to the Royal Family, period. Others believe that, just as a clansman wears the tartan of his chief, any subject of the British Crown can wear the Royal tartan. This would make it a de facto generic tartan. I know one gentleman who firmly believes that only men in the Royal Family can wear this tartan in a kilt, but that it is quite permissible for the general public to wear it in any other form.

The reality is that even if use of the tartan were at one time meant to be restricted, it certainly isn’t so now. The Royal Stewart tartan is now a common sight in the kilt hire industry, in children’s Scottish attire, men’s flannel shirts, pajamas, wrapping paper, greeting cards, and shortbread tins! Its widespread use has turned it into a universal tartan in practice, if not intent."

[figheadair]

The only reason I know this, is because I read it today. It is considered acceptable to wear Stewart Black, or Stewart Hunting, but only acceptable to wear Stewart Royal, if you have permission from The Queen. It is her personal tartan! In this case, THAT guy, just may happen to be Queen Elizabeth II.

Hmmm. Considered acceptable by whom? Matt's article nicely covers the situation and correctly points out that it was widely used outside the Royal Family. The idea of restricting the tartan was HM The Queen's father, King George VI but he realised that it was imposible to do this retrospectively and that the gene was gene was well and truly out of the bottle. It was at that point that the Balmoral became restricted by dictate rather than just convention.

So if one wants to wear the Royal Stewart there is no reason not to although personally I find the Prince Charles Edward version far more pleasing.

[Steve Ashton]

Can you tell us where you read this?

The only reason I know this, is because I read it today. It is considered acceptable to wear Stewart Black, or Stewart Hunting, but only acceptable to wear Stewart Royal, if you have permission from The Queen. It is her personal tartan! In this case, THAT guy, just may happen to be Queen Elizabeth II.