This is the name of a really good article to appear in the latest Scottish banner, it's by Matthew A. C. Newsome Curator of the Scottish Tartans Museum, USA.

I can't post the whole thing here, it might be breach of copyright, but I scanned the article and among the things he said was this:

"So you've decided you are going to proudly display Scotland's cloth with a kilt or some other form of clothing. You've probably selected a tartan based on your surname, or the surname of someone in your family, that reflects what clan your ancestors presumably hailed from. Or perhaps you have chosen to wear a district tartan that honors the place that your family originated. Perhaps you simply selected a tartan because you liked the colors and found the design appealing (a very traditional way of choosing a tartan). (emph. mine).

and "Today's Tartan..
Today, the tradition of tartan has evolved to such that tartans now represent something and when you wear a tartan you are identifying yourself with what that tartan represents. But the choice of tartan remains entirely personal. With the very rare exception of restricted tartans, anyone can choose to wear whatever tartan he or she likes - very unlike heraldic arms."

I thought this might put to rest some issues (maybe) and let us enjoy the freedom of wearing the tartan of our own choice.