Tartan proliferation -- good or bad?

[Detroitpete]

We all have opinions, and I'm of the opinion that all opinions carry similar weight Sure some are more informed while others may seem more emotionally based, but in my mind, all are valid to the person expressing them. Its up to the person considering the opinion as to what influence it may have in their thoughts or actions.

All that being said, I'd guess you'd call me one of those responsible for 'weakening' the majesty of tartans and contributing to the madness of all these newly registered vanity tartans.

I created and registered a tartan as a way to honor my grandfather, my family history, my surname and my ethnicity. Sure, I used a tartan design software at first to work out the basic sketch, but guickly afterward I began holding the fabrics and colors in my hand.

In the tartan I designed, each color has specific meaning for my family. Each color is sized and placed in a specific manner to reflect its meaning and interaction with the meanings of the colors around them. I borrowed heavily from my previous career in cryptology and in my work as an amature historian to create a pattern which expressed my family history 'code' if you will.

Once satisfied with the colors and pattern, I sought input form others, some very informed who have created tartans and are experts in tartan history, some others I sought input from were historians, still others were just avid kilt wearers. I took thier input and decided on if I would make modifications based on the information they gave me.

What I came to in the end was a woven history that I believe would make my grandfather proud. I have heard from many family members regarding their support for this and their gratitude. I have also heard from others with my surname about thier pleasure that this tartan was created.

Sure, I could have stayed with a clan tartan that considers my surname as a sept--but that would assume the validity of septs, and for some, the jury is still out on this point. I am a member and covenor for said clan and wear the tartan with pride. My creation of a surname tartan to honor my family and surname in no way is a slight against this clan or tartan.

I'm an American. I am the product of a geneaological stew of many spices, yet they blend themselves together to make me and my family. I see tartan, and my development of a tartan in much the same way. Different colors, different meanings, different peoples woven together to make a fabric. Just the information I have from my work and others, shows a family history I can trace back in some places to 1590. In this fabric is woven the Welsh, Irish, Scottish, English, German, Nordic and Italian strings of my ethnic garment. My attempt to create a tartan that any in my family or surname may consider thier 'own' is something I thought a worthy piece of work to accomplish.

Sure, this may be unprofessional, bold, naive and possibly seen as self serving. So be it. That does not change in anyway my pleasure in attempting to honor my family by weaving our history into cloth.

For those interested in a universal tartan...for those interested in a surname tartan...for those interested in one person's attempt to blend color and pattern with specific meaning, feel free to see #10127 at the Scottish Register of Tartans.

This tartan was designed to be woven--and it has been. The first kilt was produced via Locharron and Matt Newsome.

In the end, you will either see this as a ridiculous action which somehow has contributed to the weakening of tartans; or perhaps you see this as an interesting experiment, or perhaps you see the effort and rationale for doing this. It is all yours to have any opinion about. For me, I'm glad and proud to have done this bit of work for my family.

Respectfully,
Mark