Some general questions

[Graham]

Blu, I was sure I read somewhere that the right to a tartan comes from the mothers' side, not the fathers.I can't remember where I read it.

[Celt]

Welcome, Luna. my compliments on your good taste in husbands.
I can't speak for Scottish, but being Irish is such a blessing that, like being Jewish, you needn't be born that way; you can convert.
I'd echo one of the above sentiments; take a serious look at the "district" tartans. Of what country are you citizens? Or there may be a corporation or organization tartan that applies. But most of all; let him pick whichever one he likes, would look good in, and no one else's opinion matters a whit.

[Blu (Ontario)]

Graham, As with most societies through history, the Scottish clan system was based on a patriarchal model. Here is a quote from the clan MacKenzie website...

# The rules of the Scottish clan system (I quote): Excepting the "district", "Caledonia" and "Jacobite" tartans, no one should wear a tartan to which he is not by name or descent entitled. To do so is ill-mannered, invites scorn, and is contrary to the whole principle of the clan system. Nor does one "select" tartans from this or that "line" of ancestors. The vital question is, "To which Clan do I belong?"

* 1. You "belong" to the clan of which you bear the name or sept name.

2. You have no real right to wear your mother's tartan unless you have taken her name.

3. You cannot belong to several clans at once.

4. Adherents (cliathe) of non-clan names are, as followers, sometimes allowed to wear the tartan (usually a hunting sett if any) and to become members of a clan society.

That said, there are other opinions on the web.

"Clan is a Gaelic word meaning children, but in this context is more readily translated as 'family'.
Scottish clans are comprised of a core family or families derived from, or accepted as being derived from, a common ancestor...Allegiance was generally given to a father's clan, but Celtic tradition includes a strong element of descent through and loyalty to a mother's line. The chief of a clan could also 'ingather' a stranger, of whatever family, possessing required skills. If this person maintained their allegiance and it was required, they would adopt the clan surname."

This all makes sense in terms of societies historically dominated by men. The opposite (right or wrong) has been a rare exception. But let's not lose our sense of perspective in the matter. As has been posted here and many other places, unless you are a strict traditionalist, you wear the tartan that has the most meaning to you or that you find the most attractive. The meaning of the term "entitlement" with respect to tartans obviously depends on how much of a pragmatist you are.

Blu

[Chris@southerncelt.com]

Blu: You always amaze me with your wealth of tartan information

Hank: Wasn't Galicia once referred to as Gaul?

Luna: Tartan rules aside, It would be my honor to wear my wife's family tartan (if i had one). Just means another kilt in my closet to choose from right? Besides, my claim to tartan comes from my mother.

General knowledge: Many of you may already know this, but it is the intermingling of the Spanish Celts and the Irish Celts that create what we refer to today as "Black Irish".

[highlandtide]

Gaul is in France...

[Graham]

Thanks Blu, I can hardly argue with that, but I'm in trouble, I wear the tartan of my mothers' name/clan, my father was English with the name Hodge, which has no tartan of course.

Seriously, I'm not bothered really, I'm not about to change my surname

[Blu (Ontario)]

It shouldn't bother you in the least Graham. These are "traditional" rules of clan kinship. Archaic and Victorian don't you think. These were the regulations explained to me some years back when my dear departed aunt took a keen interest in thing Scottish. I should add that it took some persistant browsing to find the quote that I posted. These old stuffy rules don't change what's in your blood. You're every bit as celtic as would be if fate had dealt those rules in reverse.

Blu

[allenlynott]

Luna,
I am a resident of Colorado. Believe it or not, Colorado has a registered tartan as does America. I have a kilt in the America's tartan. That may be an idea. If you can't get a clan tartan, look at your state. Colorado's tartan is a nice blue with yellow, white, and red.

Cheers,
Allen

[luna]

Many, many thanks to all for both the great depths of your replies and for their warmth. Happily, I have learned far more than I'd expected to - and now have some research to undertake.

When I told my (very) elderly father, tonight, that I was looking for a suitable kilt tartan in his family's name, he fairly beamed with paternal delight.

Allenlynott, I had no idea that states had tartans. How cool is that?

Someone asked where I live. Like Blu, I'm in Ontario. I have to say, pathetically, that I don't much like my family's colours (MacDougall) so I'm torn between correctitude and capriciousness (yes, there must be grades in between). Given my father's feelings, I shall go with the family one but which one, I'm not sure. Glad to learn, though, that various versions are acceptable as one or two of ours are, eek, a little glaring?

Tell me, what is the background for the differences in, say, hunter and formal - beyond the obvious. I guess my question is why the differences?

You folk are great!

[Blu (Ontario)]

Hello again Luna...With 16 or so MacDougall tartans available, there should be something that suits you! Have a look at
http://www.house-of-tartan.scotland....se/tfinder.htm
The ones I like are 132, 566, 1776,1650,(I love this one)1407 (lots of blue),and 1647. Any of these would make faaaabulous kilts. I also have a personal fondness for the muted (old) colors which mimics natural dyes. If my family line was MacDougall...I'd buy one of each of these tartans in a heartbeat if I had the pockets for it! As for your question of...Why the differences, that is a question for the woolen mills. Let us know what you pick. (The MacDougalls were staunch Jacobites as it turns out, so I guess your family is "entitled" to wear Jacobite shirts. LOL)